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Dyslexia
and Fatty Acid Deficiency
Recent
research has also found a link between fatty acid deficiency symptoms and
dyslexia (inability to read, spell and write words despite having ability to
see and recognize letters). Ratings of fatty acid deficiency symptoms were
significantly higher in dyslexic than non-dyslexic adults. In dyslexic group,
these symptoms were associated with visual symptoms when reading, other visual
problems, auditory and language confusions and motor problems. Their occurrence
and severity was also found to correlate with the severity of difficulties with
reading, spelling and working memory in dyslexic children.
Autism
and Fatty Acid Deficiency
Epidemiological studies
show that cases of autism are on the rise across the developed countries. The
diagnosis of autism has increased dramatically over the past ten years.
According to UK’s Medical Research Council, there is one autistic
child in 166 of the UK population while the UK National Autistic Society suggests
the rate may be even higher.
Studies have shown that
autistic children harbor higher levels of phospholipase enzyme, which removes highly
unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) from the membrane phospholipids. Researchers
believe that higher levels of the enzyme phospholipase, seen in preliminary
studies on blood samples from autistic children, may metabolise fatty acids in
these children more quickly than in those without the condition. They say
increased metabolism affects all fatty acids. But adding more omega-3 through
diet or supplementation could compensate fatty acid deficiency arising out of
metabolic anomalies. In a study where children were given fatty acid EPA
supplements, the children exhibited better sleeping patterns, cognition, eye
contact and sociability.
Cardiovascular, Immune and
Metabolic Disorders and Omega-3 Fatty Acid Deficiency
ALA, an essential fatty acid, given in the early development
period can affect blood pressure later in life. In a study with Sprague-Dawley
rats, a species with predisposition for high blood pressure, omega-3 fatty acid
deficiency in perinatal period resulted in raised blood pressure later in life,
even when the animals were subsequently provided with these fatty acids.
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