Omega 3 for Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Sara L
- Mar 15, 2024
- 4 min read
Omega 3 is also known as essential fatty acids. There are two kinds; eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) that are important for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The third Omega you may have heard of is alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). It is found in very low amounts in fish, but in high amounts in flaxseeds, for example.
Omega 3’s are important for cell structure and functioning, as well as brain development and anti-inflammation. In America, we don't often eat enough foods containing omega 3.
In the case of ASD, Omega 3 from Fish Oil (EPA and DHA) may help with a variety of issues associated with ASD, listed below, so it is definitely worth considering as a supplement for ASD, given the potential benefits and overall safety of Omega-3. Per Massachusetts General for Children, there is no harm in using Omega 3 for ASD¹. At best symptoms improve, at worst they do not.
Potential benefits of Omega 3 supplementation²,³:
Omega 3 Dosages
The National Academy of Medicine has not established any dosing guidelines for DHA or EPA.
Current guidelines are for ALA only, as it is considered an ‘essential’ fatty acid, in other words, it is not something that animals can make in their bodies⁴. We can make DHA and EPA from ALA, however we don't do it very well and even healthy individuals without the metabolic complexities of ASD would benefit from DHA and EPA supplementation.
The recommendations for DHA and EPA for ‘healthy’ individuals appear to be all over the place, with some guidelines suggesting 150-250mg (very conservative) of EPA and DHA per day⁵ while others suggesting ranges into the few thousands milligrams (few grams) per day.
Doses up to 4000 mg appear to be safe, but can cause tummy upset which is why it is best to stay in 2000-3000mg ballpark at most if you are considering the higher dosing.
The FDA recommends taking no more than 2000 mg of EPA and DHA combined from dietary supplements⁶, though they do not indicate if this is adult or child dosing, and this is not ASD specific.
Studies looking at ASD in children and dosing of Omega-3 used doses ranging from 300-1500mg⁷. Other studies suggest that 1300-1500mg of EPA and DHA combined per day is evidence based and appropriate to treat symptoms of ASD in children⁸.
Another study suggested 250-1500mg per day for children with ASD, though did not give details regarding exact ages for the dosing range above⁹.
Below are dosing guidelines from The ADHD and Autism Nutritional Supplement Handbook by Godbout Laake and Compart (2013). Here is what they recommend:
Age (years) | EPA (mg) | DHA (mg) | Total Omega 3 (mg) | Frequency |
2 - 5 | 200-400 | 200-400 | 400-800 | Daily with food |
6 - 10 | 500-650 | 400-500 | 900-1150 | Daily with food |
11 + | 500-800 | 500-650 | 1000-1450 | Daily with food |
From the table above you can see the maximum recommended dose for the older kids is 1450mg, which is in line with the high end doses that studies with ASD children used.
Side effects and toxicity
Side effects are mild. These include unpleasant taste, bad breath, heartburn, nausea, gastrointestinal discomfort, diarrhea, headache, and smelly sweat. No toxicity noted but the FDA recommends taking no more than 2 grams (2000mg) daily in ‘healthy’ children.
Make sure that the Omega 3 you buy does not contain any vitamin A unless they need to be taking extra vitamin A. Vitamin A in large amounts can cause liver damage.
There has been some concern in the past that high dose Omega 3 might interfere with blood clotting causing bleeding and suppression immune function, but as long as you stay below 5g (5000mg) per day, it is deemed safe by the FDA⁴.
If your child is allergic to fish or shellfish, do not take Fish Oil. If they really don't like the fishiness of fish oil, you may want to use an algae based DHA supplement instead.
There has been some concern about Omega-3 supplements containing heavy metals such as mercury, but Omega-3 supplements have not been found to contain mercury⁴ as they undergo a purification process that removes any nasties. Overall a safe supplement worth trying in ASD.
Medications your child may be taking that Fish oil interacts with:
Warfarin/Coumadin. Can increasing bleeding time as it stops blood clotting properly.
Who should not take Fish oil without first talking to their health care provider?
Do not take if allergic to fish or shellfish
Those with blood clotting issues
In the PDF here that I have attached I have provided a Cheat Sheet for Moms with a summary of Omega 3's characteristics discussed above, as well as a ‘cut the dotted line’ section for when it comes time to shop for Omega 3 with steps and recommendations to keep in mind when purchasing, including checking for third party testing to ensure that what you are buying is high quality.
This site is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the giving of medical advice. The contents do not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional health care services. No provider–patient relationship is formed. Please consult with your child's healthcare provider when considering supplementation for children.
³ Gaby, A. R (2024) Nutritional Medicine. Third Ed. Fritz Perlberg Publishing
Godbout Laake, D. & Compart, P. J. MD (2013) The ADHD and Autism Nutritional Supplement Handbook. Fair Winds Press. To purchase on Amazon click here.
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