In the Daniel episode of X-Weighted Families, we saw Dr Macklin explain to Daniel's family the connection between diet and ADD/ ADHD. In recent years, there has been a large body of research saying that the symptoms of ADD and ADHD can be lessened by changing what we are feeding our children and introducing more essential fatty acids in to their diets.

"A series of recent studies in children and adolescents have suggested that Omega-3 Fatty acids can result in significant improvements in ADHD symptoms," says Macklin, "one group of studies has shown a link between children with low levels Omega-3 EPA/DHA and reading, spelling and language difficulties. Other studies have shown that supplementation with Omega-3 EHA/DPA improves hyperactivity, inattention and disruptive behaviour in children with ADHD. These findings make sense when you consider the important role Omega 3- EPA/DHA play in nervous system/brain development and function. "

Foods that are rich in Omega-3s include fish (although Mackin says that we should avoid canned white/albacore tuna, swordfish, shark, and marlin because of Mercury concerns especially in those with developing neurological tissue like children adolescents and pregnant women), walnuts, vegetable oils (canola, soybean, flaxseed/linseed, olive) and soybeans. You can also start using fish-oil supplements, check the packaging to ensure that they contain high levels of Omega-3.

Daniel's mother, Tara, said that when she did increase the amount of nuts and fish in her boy's diets, she did see an improvement, "but, I don't think we did it enough to see a difference between having ADD and not having ADD," she says. Tara does want to get back in to an omega-rich diet at some point and has continued to research in to this since hearing about the link between diet and ADD/ ADHD.

There are other reasons why everyone should have a diet that is rich in Omega-3s. "When you add the suspected cardiac/heart benefits of Omega 3 we are able to strongly support a diet rich in Omega 3 sources in children and adolescent as well as adults," says Macklin.

As well as adding more good stuff in to your families diet in order to combat ADD/ ADHD, you should also look at what needs to be eliminated. "The science is less clear on what foods to avoid, with anecdotal recommendations of limiting sugar and simple carbohydrates a recommendation appropriate for the entire population," says Macklin.

Tara has certainly stopped buying the prepackaged foods that her family depended on prior to starting their X-Weighted journey, and sees huge benefits to her family's health from that alone. "I don't buy any boxed treats at all," she says, "I think we are definitely in better moods now that we don't eat that kind of stuff. We're certainly not as grumpy as we used to be!"

Dr David Mackin is X-Weighted's obesity expert.

This post is a repeat, but look forward to more original content to come in the future.