On fish oil and omega-3 supplementation in children: The role of such supplementation on attention and cognitive dysfunction

In recent years we are facing a dramatic rise in the use of “behind the counter” medications to combat aging and improve memory and life quality. Many parents to children with learning difficulties, behavioral aberrations and those who are diagnosed with developmental disorders such as attention deficit, poor motor coordination and pervasive disorder are frequently advised by both professionals and lay persons to supplement their children with fish oil and or commercial preparations of omega-3, omega-6, or both polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in various combinations. The common logic is that “being a natural product, even if it does not help it should be safe to use”. Indeed, this statement may well be true. In this paper a short description of the basic biochemistry and physiology of PUFA will be followed by a critical review of the presently known “evidence based” data on the value of this popular supplementation. At present the theoretical basis for supplementing children with the developmental disorders mentioned above is shaky and the evidence for its efficacy is still in doubt.