supplementing EPA - Dr Gordon Bell

[Guest guest]

INCREASE OMEGA 3 FATSDeficiencies in essential fats are common in people with autism6. Research by Dr Gordon Bell at Stirling University has shown that some autistic children have an enzymatic defect that removes essential fats from brain cell membranes more quickly than it should. This means that an autistic child is likely to need a higher intake of essential fats than the average. And it has been found that supplementing EPA, which can slow the activity of the defective enzyme, has clinically improved behaviour, mood, imagination, spontaneous speech, sleep patterns and focus of autistic children7,8.

Where’s the evidence? Enter ‘omegas’ and ‘autism’ into the search field for a summary of studies that demonstrate the effect of essential fats on autism.

Side effects? Rarely causes loose stools in sensitive individuals if you start on too high a dose.

Contraindications with medication? Essential fats may have a ‘blood-thinning’ effect and should not be mixed with ‘blood thinning’ medication.

See action plan for our recommendations.