Autism

I have spent a fair amount of time researching the link between Autism and Omega 3’s. There are a couple of studies that have been done that suggest that children with Autism have low levels of Omega 3’s and that some studies have shown some benefit in increasing Omega 3’s for children with Autism.

A recent study (2007) - Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation in children with Autism: a double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study - found that children with Autism in the study were deficient in Omega 3’s and those that received Omega 3 treatment had improvement in their symptoms. (Biol Psychiatry. 2007 Feb 15;61(4):551-3. Epub 2006 Aug 22)

Dr. Andrew Stoll a physician and researcher at McLean’s Hospital and with Harvard Medical School did a presentation where he looks at the effects of Omega 3 Fatty Acids in Autism and other Neuropsychiatric Disorders. While the evidence is not definitive, he and others certainly think that it is worth considering. They suggest that since the bulk of the population is deficient in Omega 3’s; given the implications for brain health; and the fact that Omega 3’s have been helpful in every Neuropsychiatric disorder tested to date, it makes sense to consider Omega 3’s in Autism.

There is a study that is currently underway at the University of California:

http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00786799

A good resource that cites some of the studies that have been done to date:

http://autism.healingthresholds.com/therapy/essential-fatty-acids

Hope this helps....there is so much that is being linked to omega 3’s it is really amazing!