Q: Hi, Dr Sears. I enjoyed reading your book. One of my children (16) has Asperger syndrome and although he improved a lot with a gluten, casein, soy and corn-free diet, and supplements like 5-HTP and fish oil, I understood through the recent reading of your book that we might not be giving the appropriate dose of DHA and too much EPA. (We chose an EPA-concentrated oil because he tended to be depressed, but I just read in your book that DHA was good for violence-prone people.) My MD did not know enough on the subject. We are trying to convince our son to try a better diet with less AA and a lower glycemic index, but it is not easy as he does not live at home, and I need to teach the foster family too. How much and which fish-oil supplement would you advise? He is very reluctant to have any blood sample taken so it is better not to consider it. Thanks a lot, Capucine
Dear Capucine,
A: I would suggest at least 10 grams of EPA and DHA per day to lower the AA/EPA ratio. It is known that children with Asperger syndrome have low levels of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids in their blood. The Zone Diet will also lower the AA levels, but it requires constant dietary supervision. This is why the combination of the Zone Diet and high-dose fish oil is the best possible treatment for this condition.