The Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids Supplement on Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism is characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication skills, as well as repetitive behaviors and restricted interests. This review examined the potential effects of omega-3 fatty acid consumption on individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Articles included in the study were searched comprehensively in electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar. The search terms were defined as "autism," "omega-3," and combinations of these terms. The databases were filtered to include studies published up to the present, including the most recent ones. A thorough analysis of 19 studies with 1,184 male and female participants between the ages of 2 and 40 revealed that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation may offer therapeutic benefits to individuals with autism spectrum disorder. These benefits include reduced behavioral symptoms, increased social communication skills, and improved scores on specific clinical assessment scales. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation shows potential for improving behavioral symptoms and social communication skills in children with autism.