Just Ask Terry

Terry is happy to provide his opinion on diet and nutrition, supplements and lifestyle choices. This information is for educational purposes only. It is not meant to replace the advice of your physician and is not to be considered medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Should you have any concerns please contact your physician directly.

Q. Dear Terry, ”A friend recently told me that fish oil is beneficial for children with learning disabilities. My son is not able to swallow pills even though he is 12. He is also very picky about flavors. I hope you might have some suggestions.” —Kim M. Freemont, NE A. Dear Kim, I agree with your friend. There are many studies which have found that omega 3 fatty acids from fish can help increase focus and attention in children. However, it can be a challenge to get them to take fish oil. I recommend you try an omega fatty acid product extracted from salmon—without the oil. This type of product is available in a tablet form which can be crushed and mixed with food. Although the tablet itself has a mild fresh fish flavor, it is so mild that it is easily covered up by food and I don’t think your son will notice. Many parents use yogurt, applesauce, pudding, nut butters, or anything their child likes to eat. Additionally, in addition to omega 3s from salmon, you may want to try a formula specifically designed to support learning and focus in kids. Some of the key ingredients to look for are phosphatidylserine, vitamin B6, grape seed, DMAE and more. You can read more about natural approaches to treating ADHD and learning problems in children in my article, Natural Ways to Help Children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD) here on the Terry Talks Nutrition website.