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Effects of essential fatty acids in iron deficient and sleep-disturbed attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) children

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 65, pages 1167–1169 (2011)Cite this article

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Abstract

Inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity constitute the core diagnostic criteria for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) children. Patients generally suffer from sleep disturbance and malnutrition that can account for tiredness during the day, poor concentration, poor eating and depressed mood, along with anemia and an n-3 polyunsaturated acid deficiency. The change of ADHD behavior in children (9–12) was studied, following 10 weeks of treatment with a polyunsaturated acid mixture on six variables: cooperation, mood, concentration, homework preparation, fatigue and sleep quality. Iron status was also examined. Polyunsaturated acid administration was associated with significant improvement in quality of life, ability to concentrate, sleep quality and hemoglobin levels.

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Acknowledgements

We thank The Rose K Ginsburg Chair for Research into Alzheimer's disease and The William Farber Center for Alzheimer Research for their support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel

    S Yehuda

  2. Departments of Psychology and Criminology and Brain Center, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel

    S Rabinovitz-Shenkar

  3. Department of Neurology, Hillel Yaffe Hospital, Hedera, Israel

    R L Carasso

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  1. S Yehuda
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  2. S Rabinovitz-Shenkar
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  3. R L Carasso
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Correspondence to S Yehuda.

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Yehuda, S., Rabinovitz-Shenkar, S. & Carasso, R. Effects of essential fatty acids in iron deficient and sleep-disturbed attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) children. Eur J Clin Nutr 65, 1167–1169 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2011.80

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