Brain Friendly Food
ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS, OMEGA 3&6
Omega 3 and 6 Fatty acids (also known as fish oils) are required for brain development. Every nerve in the body needs these fats so they probably help with all aspects of the nervous system. Many studies have shown that children taking omega 3’s have:
Decrease hyperactivity
Enhanced learning
Improve behaviour and moods
Reduce clumsiness
Better Immune response, they can fight off flu’s and infections and don’t need so many antibiotics
One sign that commonly suggests children are not getting enough essential fatty acids is dry skin, especially on the elbows.
What to take?
There are a bewildering amount of omegas 3 & 6 fatty acids on the market. The term essential means your body cannot produce them from other foods, you have to eat them directly. However most western diets are rich in omega 6, usually the omega 6 in supplements is not required. The exception to this is evening primrose oil.
Omega 3's have two main constituents EPA and DHA. EPA seems to be the most useful. Humans are poor at converting DHA to EPA, especially if they have almost any health problems.However EPA is easily coverted to DHA so it makes sense to go for EPA supplements or food. Common food sources of EPA are limited to oily fish. Seeds such as linseed, flaxseed and sunflower seed are mainly DHA so we don't recommend them.
The levels of EPA and DHA should be displayed on the label of supplements. Some have very low EPA levels 25-50mg with considerably more DHA. Beware of products that have cod liver oil in; nowdays the sea is polluted and the pollutants or toxins are stored in the liver. So oils from fish's livers are likely to contain mercury and PCP's amoung others which are detrimental to developing nerves. We recommend only taking the oils that have been purified.
We think the best capsules on the market are Veg EPA, they contain EPA and evening primrose oil. They have also been purified so there are no toxins. A chewable for children is also available. For more information visit www.vegepa.com
ZINC
Now new research has shown that zinc supplements enhances the action of the essential fatty acids both in the building of the nerve cell membrane and in the manufacture of certain nerve chemicals.
The authors of one study stated “Zinc supplements may exert their positive effects by helping to regulate the function of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine signalling, which has been implicated in causing symptoms of ADHD, is believed to play an important role in the feelings of pleasure and reward.”
This pleasure area is thought to be the main reason why so many children with Developmental Delay Syndromes crave junk food and establish a carbohydrate diet for themselves thus fuelling their addiction. This seeming addiction to sugars and the high intake of E numbers complicates and perpetuates the underlying neurological disorder.
Currently, based on research from different parts of the globe it is suggested that adding zinc sulphate to the daily administration of omega 3 & 6 (essential fatty acids) enhances the action of Ritalin or may be used in its place.
It has also been shown to be the most commonly depleted vitamin or mineral in children in the western world. This is worrying, it is needed for over 200 different chemical reactions in the body to occur.
This is very exciting news as at present there is a great deal of concern about the use of Ritalin and the long-term effects it may have. As zinc is a normal part of our diet and as far as we know has no side-effects apart from a metallic taste in the mouth and nausea in some cases, this may prove to be a valuable aid in the treatment of the symptoms of ADHD.
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
As mentioned on the brain food page, the anti oxidants contained in fresh fruit and vegetables help all the bodies cells cope with oxidative stress. The European Commission and World Health Organisation recommend eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, however the average consumption across Europe is less than half of this.
Children that are fussy eaters often eat very little fruit and vegetables, if any and it takes time to change their habits. In such cases, we recommend they take Juice Plus. This is made from 17 fruits and vegetables, which are juiced and then dried very slowly in low temperatures. The juicing makes them more bio-available (easier for the body to absorb). Drying under low heat prevents the beneficial nutrients going off.
Unlike manufactured vitamin supplements, which contain specific vitamins, taking the Juice Plus is providing all the nutrients you would have if you ate the fruit and vegetables. They come in chewable capsules for children that have difficulty swallowing. To learn more about the health benefits of Juice Plus.
