Help your children settle into the school year
School symbolises, for most children and parents, a crucial preparation step into the “lions den” of the “grown up” world.
But what happens if things are not going as expected and the child is still not getting into a routine even after a reasonable adjustment period? How would you know if it is only a transitory phase or if the child is actually struggling with an underlying learning difficulty?
Children with learning disabilities have no physical characteristics that distinguish them in a crowd. Those with learning difficulties are often dismissed as “hostile”, “lazy” or “clumsy”, when in actual fact they have little control over their behaviour. Hyperactivity, inability to sit still, lack of attention, “daydreaming” and reading/writing problems, are only some of the external signs. Many people with learning challenges are extremely intelligent, talented, creative and entrepreneurial, but they don't perform in school or socially to the level that is expected.
An interesting fact is that learning disabilities are less likely to develop in long-term breast-fed infants. But what is the connection between mother's milk and lack of attention? Mother's milk is the ultimate nourishment for a newborn baby. It contains specific fatty acids that are critical, in particular, for brain and visual development. The brain is comprised predominantly of LCPs (Long Chain Polyunsaturated fatty acids), one of these being DHA, which is also a major constituent of eye retina cells and is therefore vital for eyesight.
Early studies have demonstrated that breast-fed term infants have higher DHA levels in the brain, statistically higher IQ and improved visual perception than their formula-fed counterparts.
This led researchers to conclude that “lack of abundant, balanced DHA in-utero and infancy may lead to lower intelligence quotient and visual acuity”, and in the long run, may contribute to learning disorders and even depression.
Latest research re-confirms these early findings, showing that children suffering from conditions such as AD(H)D, dyslexia and dyspraxia experienced significant improvement in attention, reading, writing and social skills after using the high DHA product Efalex®.1,2,3
As the 20th century came to a close, it became apparent that learning disorders are a widespread epidemic in the Western World. It is estimated that 15–20% of the population suffers from some form of learning disorder (NIH, US).
Respected researchers have argued that humankind's superior brain power is the direct result of the abundance of LCPs, specifically DHA and AA (found in marine fish), in our primitive ancestors diet. Scientific evidence now shows a clear deficiency of these in the modern diet, probably due to manufacturing processes producing foods high in omega 6 and damaged fats and low in DHA. It is no coincidence that the prevalence of learning disorders seems to be worse in developed countries where consumption of processed foods is highest.
This highlights the importance of ensuring children are getting “brain-healthy” foods, especially food high in LCPs. As large quantities of fish need to be eaten for sufficient DHA levels, an easier option is adding a high DHA supplement such as Efalex® to a healthy, balanced diet. 240mg of DHA twice a day appears to be effective for both children over 5 and adults.
Many parents have heart wrenching stories of struggling to come to terms with their children's learning handicaps. By and large, the unsung heroes are the parents, who rise to the challenge, knowing that beyond the frustrating ability of the moment is a child with lifelong potential.
The Efalex® high DHA supplement is safe and clinically tested, combining high quality marine DHA with other essential LCPs.
Efalex is available in oil and capsule form
For further information, please contact our naturopathic support line.
- Norén, J. & Fors, A. in 5th Congress of the International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids (Montreal, 2002).
- Lindmark, L; Styrsven, T, internal report (April 1998). Dark adaptation, motor skills docosahexaenoic acid and dyslexia. Amer J Clin Nutr 2000; 71(suppl 1):323S-326S
- Clough P and Morse N. Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and dyslexia: A 5 month open study with an essential fatty acid dietary supplement (Efalex®). Presented at the 7th ISSFAL World Congress, Cairns, Australia, July 23-28th, 2006.
(Originally published in Health & Herbal News Magazine Volume 17, Issue 2)