Hope Springs Eternal: Give Autistic Kids a Chance With DHA

It's a cruel irony, but if there's one thing an early diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder doesn't change, it's the uncertainty. Children symbolise hope precisely because their destinies are still fluid and malleable; so do autistic children, though in a far more brutal manner.
This article does not mean to raise false hopes, only to recognise the widely accepted consensus that we know very little about the causes of autism. In contrast, Alzheimer's disease, a common degenerative brain disorder, has at least a definitive pathology that can be confirmed (albeit only in post mortem microscopy). Those diagnosed with autism are left with empirically-established treatments, which are a fancy name for trial-and-error. To date, it consists of behavioural and rehabilitative therapy, and little else.
There just might be another possibility out there though. Preliminary reports, surfacing ever so slowly but inexorably, now seem to establish a link between omega-3 oil supplements and an improved quality of life in autistic children. This direction of research has been going on for decades, ever since low levels of omega-3 fatty acids have been associated with a wide range of neurological disorder. However, initial trials were conducted in a less-than-rigorous manner. Either they neglected to enforce a double-blind condition, which renders the results susceptible to the placebo effect, or they were done in very small scales or as case reports. Happily, new evidence have remedied these defects, and the results are still holding up.
One such trial assembled 70 six- to eleven-year-olds who were afflicted with autism, and prescribed them with a daily regime of DHA-enriched omega-3 fatty acids in the form of fish oil capsules. 30% of the exhibited significant improvements compared to the control groups: they began to make eye contact and socialized in more advanced manners. Two points were especially scintillating: the fact that improvements lasted as long as the supplements were given, and the age of the participants.
Usually, the human body copes with DHA shortages by a very inefficient conversion mechanism. However, it depletes other essential fatty acids in the process. It is conceivable that neural growth irregularities, once firmly entrenched past the age of three or so, are being continually repaired by the brain. In the process, it consumes the normally allotted quota of fatty acids, which in turn brings about a long-term omega-3 deficiency. (Of course, this is no more than a hypothesis: researchers, in a suspiciously self-rewarding consensus, agree that more research is needed before they can pinpoint the exact mechanism.)
If you are inclined to try this approach, there are a few things you should note. Dosages vary from trial to trial, but a good rule-of-thumb for toddlers is around 1000mg of omega-3 oil with a quarter of it in DHA by weight. Since they are classified as food supplements, there is strictly speaking no upper limit for fish oil consumption, and any unabsorbed remnants are simply excreted away with no side effects whatsoever.

If you're interested in reading more about the health benefits of omega 3s and fish oil supplements, feel free to visit my website where I discuss the truth about omega 3 fish oil and what I personally use to stay healthy and in shape.
You can view my website now by clicking this link: http://www.omega-3-supplement.com

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How Much Fish Oil Is Needed For Autistic Kids?

As well as discovering how much fish oil is needed for autistic kids, it is also vital to ensure the oil is high quality too, being pure and high in omega 3 fatty acids. Learn the facts here and how to ensure you get the most effective and safe supplement.

One leading psychologist suggests that as many as 4 out of every 10 autistic children could improve dramatically, with 7% being cured completely.

In this study of 70 autistic children between 6 and 11 years old, it was found that a further 30% showed significant improvements, began to make eye contact and socialized much better.

So how much fish oil is needed for autistic kids?

The optimal dose is one distilled 1000mg capsule or soft gel containing at least 50% omega 3 fats of which at least 270mg should be DHA. After the age of 10-12, they can have the adult dose of two a day.

The omega 3 fatty acids are what make fish oil so powerful and the DHA fats provide most of the benefits. They are responsible for the anti-inflammatory qualities and make up a large percentage of the brains fats too.

Most of us are deficient in these fats but autistic children almost always have very low levels of these in their brains and increasing them can have a dramatic effect.

My son is mildly autistic and after 3 months on quality oils the differences were very obvious as his speech and general awareness significantly increased.

These oils are well-documented to show improvements in speech, reading, writing, cognitive awareness and vocabulary as well as improving hand-eye coordination.

I mentioned distilled oils earlier and this basically means they have been through the process that removes any remaining traces of toxins like mercury to leave safe and pure oil. This is essential especially as mercury is thought to be responsible for some cases of autism.

Check the label or website to see and you should also be able to see the individual DHA/EPA amounts. If they are combined or not there, you should avoid the oil as it will always contain more of the less useful EPA.

The best oils are the ones us adults use as the kids supplements tend to contain additives like flavourings that aren't needed. If the oil is fresh and pure, it will not give those fishy burps and you can even pierce the capsule and pour onto their food or into their drinks if they cannot swallow, as it will only have a slight ocean aroma.

I hope this article shows you clearly how much fish oil is needed for autistic kids and what to look for to get the most effective and safe oils to help significantly improve the quality of their life and aid in their future development.

If you would like to learn more about the pure DHA fish oil supplements I personally take and give to my son daily, visit my website below.

Discover the best omega 3 fish oil for autism available today.

Rich Hawkins is a dedicated researcher of the amazing health benefits of quality fish oil. Take a moment to visit his site now at www.best-omega-3-supplement.com and discover the latest DHA omega 3 supplements that he recommends after extensive research.

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