Just starting - need help!

[ilovemyboys]

Hi, my 9 year old ADHD son is on concerta and focalin. Since his diet is not very good, I would like to start some supplements of Omega 3 and what ever else may help him.

From reading the Omega 3 post above, it appears that I should be giving 480 mg DHA Omega 3. However, it says that high EPA may work better on ADHD, but I couldn't find a level of EPA that I should go for. Also, is the high EPA different than the high DHA? Do I choose one or another? (Sorry if these questions are stupid!)

Also, I know from reading these posts I need to supplement with at least 100 mg vitamin E.

Other than a multi-vitamin, is there anything else I should begin with? Should I start him on the Omega 3 and Vitamin E together? Will any of these cause any problems with taking stimulants? Can it be combined with melatonin?

Thanks for any help you can give. There is alot of information here but sometimes it is too much! I was getting confused trying to follow everything!

[Mayleng]

A very good Omega3 is the Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega Liquid - 1/2 a teaspoon contains all the DHA and EPA your child will need. It contains 875mgs EPA, and 625mgs DHA. You need to take Vitamin E together with the Omega 3s, I get the NOW Vitamin E. I get them both from www.houseofnutrition.com

It will not cause any problems with the stimulants. My son is on Omega3s, Vitamin E , Evening Primrose oil, 400mgs Calcium/Magnesium Citrate and he is on 30mgs Ritalin LA and 0.5 mgs melatonin for sleep. Omega 3s are Essential Oils that your body needs, you get them from fish and seafood, so it will not interfere with any medication. But it should be stopped a couple of weeks before any surgery since it has anti-coagulant properties.

He takes the ritalin la in the morning, and the supplements in the afternoon. I would not give them together at the same time. The supplements actually help with all rebound/mood issues in the afternoon when the meds come off his system. He is able to do his homework without having to add a short acting dose of ritalin in the afternoon.

[catatonic]

Great answer, Mayleng. The only thing I would add is that liquids may not suit everyone. They tend to taste a little nasty. You may have noticed this unfortunate fact? So if you're looking at capsules, keep in mind that the dose you are aiming for, in order to replicate clinical studies that have found Omega-3 supplementation effective, is 480mg DHA and 720mg EPA. Some kids may need more. With others, you may be able to reduce the dose slightly after the initial 12 weeks. (It takes about 12 weeks to correct an Omega-3 deficiency.)