Seafood is one way to help manage ADHD symptoms

Posted on :  February 1, 2021
Seafood is one way to help manage ADHD symptoms

by Ashleigh Feltham
Accredited Practising Dietitian and Accredited Nutritionist

 

You are not alone if your child has been diagnosed with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is estimated that one in twenty children have this mental health disorder. ADHD is characterised by above normal levels of hyperactivity, impulsive behaviours and difficulty focusing on a single task or remaining still for an extended period. ADHD is seen in both girls and boys but is more common in boys.

Diet is one way to help manage symptoms associated with ADHD. This blog focuses specifically on the potential helpful effects of including seafood like Safcol Seafood in improving brain function and behaviour of children living with ADHD.

Research suggests that children with ADHD have lower blood levels of omega-3 fat. This is the main type of fat found in Safcol Seafood products. Children with ADHD also more frequently have a higher ratio of omega-6 fat to omega-3 fat compared to children without ADHD.

Supplementing omega-3 fat and specifically EPA and DHA which are the two components which make up marine based omega-3 fat have been recommended in research to improve ADHD symptoms. Specific symptoms which showed improvements were in behaviour, ability to focus and improvements in literacy.

Before you head out to the shops to buy your child an omega-3 fat supplement the research still puts food first over supplements. Following the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating and including at least two servings of seafood a week is recommended.

If you have a fussy eater and not sure your child will eat seafood, then try one of these children friendly and time friendly recipes by Safcol Seafood:

 

Tuna celery walnut rolls

https://www.seafoodexperts.com.au/recipe-items/tuna-celery-walnut-rolls/

Tuna cherry tomato mac ‘n’ cheese Parmesan crumbed salmon potato pea croquettes
tuna cherry tomato mac ‘n’ cheese Parmesan crumbed salmon potato pea croquettes

 

Jacket spuds with cheese tuna and corn Creamy salmon spirals
Jacket spuds with cheese tuna and corn Creamy Salmon Spirals

 

Tuna salsa cheese jaffles Easy salmon spaghetti
Tuna salsa cheese jaffles Easy salmon spaghetti

 

Tuna celery walnut rolls

 

Take home message

The strength of your bones is like having a well-built house with strong walls. Keep your bones strong to be able to move how you want and protect your precious organs. Safcol Seafood is one key food to include in your diet to optimise your bone health for life.

Not only is Safcol the Seafood Experts tuna lunchbox friendly, but it also tastes delicious, and boasts some amazing health benefits! Tuna contains Omega-3 fats that are an unsaturated form of fat called polyunsaturated. These types of fats cannot be made by the body, so we need to include them as part of our diet to stay healthy. For good health, you need omega-3 fats in our diet, particularly the type which comes from fish and seafood because it contains two acids known as docosahexaenoic acid or DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA. These two acids are linked to better health for your body particularly for your brain and heart.

References:

  1. Hawkey E. Nigg JT. Omega-3 fatty acid and ADHD: blood level analysis and meta-analytic extension of supplementation trials. Clin Psychol Rev. 2014;34(6):496-505. Abstract available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25181335
  2. Milte CM, Parletta N, Buckley JD, Coates AM, Young RM, Howe PR. Increased erythrocyte eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid are associated with improved attention and behaviour in children with ADHD in a randomized controlled three-way crossover trial. J Atten Disord. 2015 Nov;19(11):954-64. doi: 10.1177/1087054713510562. Abstract available from: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24214970
  3. Puri BK, Martins JG. Which polyunsaturated fatty acids are active in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder receiving PUFA supplementation? A fatty acid validated meta-regression analysis of randomized controlled trials. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2014;90(5):179-89. Abstract available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24560325
  4. Gillies D, Sinn JKh, Lad SS, Leach MJ, Ross MJ. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2012 Jul 11;(7):CD007986. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007986.pub2.3. Abstract available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22786509