by FIONA MACRAE, Daily Mail

Last updated at 11:17 20 June 2006

A daily dose of fish oil is better at treating hyperactivity than Ritalin - the 'chemical cosh' linked to the deaths of children, stunning research has revealed.

Just six capsules a day of the naturally-occurring oil can vastly improve children's behaviour without any of the side-effects of Ritalin and related drugs.

The controversial drugs can cause heart problems, dizziness and insomnia and have been blamed for the deaths of nine children in the UK and dozens more in the US.

A mother's story



• Case study: 'How fish oil improved my hyperactive son'



The new study provides a natural alternative - and gives fresh hope to the parents of the 30,000 British children prescribed Ritalin and similar medicines such as Concerta.

Last night, experts accused doctors of being too quick to boost the coffers of large drug companies by writing out prescriptions - and urged parents to look into the value of improving their child's diet.

Psychiatrist Dr Sami Timimi (CORR) said: 'It stands to reason that using a natural supplement that has few dangers or side-effects must be preferable to using drugs which have considerable dangers associated with them.

'This is a non-toxic way of doing something that might make a difference.'

Last year, a study by Durham Local Education Authority showed that omega 3 can improve the brainpower and concentration of hyperactive children.

The latest findings, from the University of Adelaide, are the first to show that omega 3 fish oil may be better than medication at treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

The compound, which occurs naturally in oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and tuna, is responsible for a range of health benefits, from combating heart disease to boosting intelligence.

Despite this, most people eat just a fifth of the amount recommended for good health.

The Australian researchers looked at the effect of eye q (CORR) fish oil capsules on a group seven to 12-year-olds with ADHD.

Some were given the capsules, while others took a placebo or dummy capsule.

Within three months, the behaviour of those on the fish oils had dramatically improved and, by seven months, many of the children were less restless and doing better at school.

The most striking improvement was in concentration or attention, which improved by a third.

When those taking the dummy capsules switched to the fish oils, they also saw their behaviour improve.

Researcher Natalie Sinn (CORR) said: 'Many of those who had children who showed improvements commented that their children were calmer, were doing better at school and were able to concentrate longer and were therefore reading more.

'Overall, 30 to 40 per cent of children over 15 weeks and 40 to 50 per cent of children over 30 weeks had improvements.'

She added that week-on-week improvements were still being seen at the end of the study - suggesting the results of an even longer course of treatment, may be even more dramatic.

The researchers also compared their results to those from studies of Ritalin and Concerta and found fish oils are more effective, a Sydney conference on omega-3 will hear this week.

British experts said the research, which is to be published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (CORR), underlined the value of exploring alternative treatments to Ritalin.

The number of hyperactive children on medication is soaring, with a staggering 330,000 prescriptions written out each year, or 6,350 a week.

Nine British children have died after taking the drugs. Two died of heart problems, while others suffered illnesses including strokes and swelling of the brain.

Dr Timimi, a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist at Lincolnshire NHS Trust, said: 'Drugs like Ritalin have considerable dangers associated with them, including insomnia, changes in personality and cardiotoxicity - they are bad for the heart and can cause heart attacks, strokes and sudden death.

'It must be preferable to that.'

Nick Giovannelli(CORR), of the Hyperactive Children's Support Group, urged parents to consider using natural alternatives to Ritalin.

He said: 'GPs seem to be too quick to prescribe medication.

'This new study adds to the mounting evidence that nutrition is safer and more effective than stimulant medication.'

Dr Madeleine Portwood, the educational psychologist who led the Durham trial, said: 'This study shows once again that omega 3 can have a very beneficial effect for children with concentration and behaviour problems.'

The Royal College of Psychiatrists said the findings were 'promising' and warranted further research.

Other studies have shown that omega 3 is also effective in children without ADHD or learning difficulties, boosting their grasp of the three Rs and improving their GCSE grades.

Concerta's manufacturers, Buckinghamshire-based Janssen-Cilag (CORR), said the drug is part of a package of care which should include attention to diet.

Dr Tony Donovan, the firm's associated medical director, said Concerta had a good safety record but did not suit all children.

He advised parents considering switching their child to fish oil to consult their child's specialist.

'It is not a decision to make off your own bat,' he said. 'I would advise a parent to have a discussion with their specialist about the benefits or otherwise about changing medication before making any changes.'

The makers of Ritalin, Swiss-based Novartis, said the drug had a long record of being a safe and effective medication. A spokesman advised anyone concerned about side-effects to consult their doctor.