Relation between Omega 3 Fatty Acid, Iron, Zinc and Treatment of ADHD

authors:

avatar Dariush Farhud 1 , avatar Maryam Shalileh 2 , *

Genetic Clinic , Tehran, Iran
Department of Nursing, Hamedan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Hamedan, Iran
Zahedan Journal of Research in Medical Sciences: Vol.16, issue 8
published online: May 26, 2013
article type: Review Article
received: March 12, 2011
accepted: March 15, 2011

How To Cite Farhud D, Shalileh M . Relation between Omega 3 Fatty Acid, Iron, Zinc and Treatment of ADHD. Zahedan J Res Med Sci. 2014;16(8): -. 

Abstract

In some studies, it is suggested that a number of dietary factors including essential fatty acid, iron and zinc deficiency, may be linked to attention-deficit/hyperactivity-disorder (ADHD). However, the exact mechanism of this relationship is yet unclear. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and iron in etiopathology and management of ADHD. For the purpose of this study, Science Direct, PubMed, and Medline databases were explored and thirty-four relevant articles in english language were collected. Eighteen out of twenty-two studies confirmed the relationship between omega-3 fatty acid and ADHD. In addition, the role of insufficient store of iron in developing ADHD symptoms and the positive effect of iron supplement in improvement of ADHD behavioral symptoms have been shown. Also, plasma zinc concentration in children with ADHD was lower than the normal population, and the effect of zinc supplement on reducing on attentive-deficit symptoms was contradictory. Although polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and iron supplements are not suggested as main treatment for ADHD, but if future studies confirm the positive results of that, use of these supplements as complementary treatment will affect ADHD symptoms. Considering the little amount of studies on zinc, more research is necessary.

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References

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