Eating omega-9s instead of saturated fats may have metabolic health benefits
Food sources: Olive oil, avocado oil, cashews, almonds
How does fish oil help with autism?
Research has indicated that children with autism have lower levels of omega-3 in their bodies than the general population. Other studies have shown that mothers with low levels of DHA have a higher risk of having babies with poor visual and neural development.
With the association between low levels of omega-3 fats and an increased risk of autism, several brain-related disorders have been shown to improve in areas such as cognition, mood and behavior with omega-3 supplementation.
The brain is about 60% fat, so it would make sense that fats are essential for brain function. There are numerous studies showing the impact of fish oil on brain function and development, which is a key concern in children with autism. Fish oil supplementation is a great way to increase omega-3 levels and correct deficiencies, especially in children with diets lacking good sources of omega-3s.
What dose of omega-3 is best for children with autism?
The established Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) for omega-3 is:
700 mg for children 1-3
900 mg for children 4-8
1200 mg for men 9-13
1000 mg for women aged 9-13
1600 mg for men 14-18
1100 mg for women aged 14-18
For children with ASD, a dose of twice the DRI is indian email address list generally recommended, although higher levels are commonly used. Be cautious about using too high a dose, as fish oil can be a blood thinner. It is recommended that fish oil be discontinued 7 days prior to any medical or dental procedure, as it may cause additional bleeding.
What are good food sources of omega-3?
Fatty fish such as mackerel, salmon, herring, sardines and anchovies: Eat 1 to 2 servings of fatty fish each week