Your questions answered

Dr Hilary joined us for a live video webchat about the benefits of fish oils

Dr Hilary: Hello everyone, throw any questions you like at me, especially anything to do with fish oil supplements to help with dyslexia, dyspraxia and other behavioural problems - such as ADHD.

Dave Noakes: Hi, we are very keen to let our son try the omega 3 & 6 fish oils but all the brands we have looked at say not suitable for children under 12.  Please help!!!
Dr Hilary: Try Equazen's EYEQ available from most supermarkets and pharmacists. It comes in either capsule or flavoured liquid forms and is well tried and tested on young children.

Diana, Peterborough - Does taking fish oils show an improvement in calming down hyperactive children?
Dr Hilary: Yes, studies show an impressive improvement in children with hyperactivity with impulsive behaviour. A report out this week has also shown it reduces aggression and offensive behaviour in adult prisoners, so maybe anyone who gets stressed out and experiences road rage should consider taking it.

Jackie Benham: Is it possible to take too much fish oil?
Dr Hilary: In theory, but you'd have to consume several pints of it on a daily basis, which I wouldn't recommend. As with all supplements, stick to the recommended dosage and you'll come to no harm.

Rebecca, Salisbury - I was recommended golden flaxseed oil for my 14-month-old son who has suffered from slight eczema since birth. Is this as good as adding fish oils to his diet. I know it contains Omega 3 - not sure about 6.
Dr Hilary: Flaxseed (linseed) and evening primrose oil are rich in the essential acids that can improve skin conditions such as eczema. Fish oil actually contains even more Omega 3, so you might like to combine the 2 and assess the result.

Vic: I'm 57 and forget things. Not major things but small things. Like why I have gone into a room. I take anti-coagulants, Sinthrome. Would fish oil help me?
Dr Hilary: It's worth a try because fish oil certainly helps with memory and concentration in children and works by adjusting nerve signals within the brain controlling memory. Medical studies, however, have not proved of beneficial effect for adult memory. So watch this space.

Janine, Norwich - Is it necessary to take fish oils - are there natural alternatives or shouldn't we just eat more oily fish?
Dr Hilary: In theory yes. But not everybody likes fresh tuna, salmon, herring, mackeral or sardines. Pity though, they're very healthy all round.

Susan: My six-year-old son is asthmatic - he's on Pulmicort, Intal and Ventolin. Would he be OK to take fish oils? He is otherwise a healthy, fit boy.
Dr Hilary: Yes, there is no reason why he should not take them. And any allergic reaction is highly unlikely.

Sue: How do you know what is the best brand for children to take - just because its the dearest, does it mean that its the best?
Dr Hilary: I'm impressed by evidence that combination of Omega 3 and Omega 6 essential fatty acids offers the best benefit. There are many to choose from and I would be guided by your pharmacist or doctor.

Geraldine: I have two children with dyslexia - if taking the supplements has a beneficial effect, do you have to keep taking them and for how long? If you stop, will the children then lose any of the reading, writing advances that they gained?
Dr Hilary: It's recommended that a high dose is taken for the first month or two, reverting to a maintenance dose thereafter. Since memory and concentration and reading and spelling skills all improve, so does education. The learning is permanent. Once learned, never forgotten, but it is probably a good idea to continue with fish oil supplements long term for dyslexics.

Beth: I'm 26 and have terrible skin. Do fish oils - or specifically omega 3 & 6 help with this? Would I be best with just evening primrose oil?
Dr Hilary: Evening primrose is thought to be the best for dry skin conditions like eczema and you can buy this in the form of Efamol. Moisturising your skin is also important and you must remember that dietary adjustments alone will not cure the underlying problem.

Diana, Peterborough - Does taking fish oils help calm down hyperactive children?
Dr Hilary: Yes. Research is strongly suggesting this effect, and many educationalists and psycologists are now recommending them.

Christine - I have been told it is unwise to take fish oils if you suffer from gout - is this true?
Dr Hilary: Why would it? I suspect whoever said this is thinking of the link between fish roe, which is very high in the protein purine and gout because purine is altered in the body to uric acid which forms gout crystals in joints but fish oil does not contain any protein so won't cause the problem.

Dave: Hi - My son is 8 and we would like to give him the omega 3 & 6 oils but the brands we have looked at say not suitable for children under 12. What would you advise?
Dr Hilary: My own children take Equazen's EYEQ which is perfectly safe in children under 12. I would always check with your doctor though as I think anyone taking supplements should be guided in light of whatever medical problem you are trying to remedy.

lynn Arnold: Hi, I'm glucose intolerant, 52, so almost diabetic. Can I take omega 3 high strength fish oils?
Dr Hilary: Yes, there is no reason not to as these supplements will contain negligable glucose.
Moira, Margate: I have taken fish oils in the past and I always come up in a rash on my face. Is this normal? Is there a specific brand I can try?

Geri:  My daughter is now suffering from her third bout of clinical depression brought on by exam stress. I have read that high EPA fish oils may help and can possibly replace conventional anti-depressants. Have you found this to be the case?
Dr Hilary: This seems unlikely. Keep a diary of what you take and how soon after you develop a rash to see if there is any true link. Are you generally allergic? Have a chat with your doctor too, to see if they can come up with any logical explanation. Irritability, aggression and stress can be improved in adults through high EPA fish oils, recent reports suggest. Together with St John's Wort, the herbal treatment for mild depression, these supplements could well make a big difference.

Sarah - I'm 27 and have been trying to get pregnant for over a year. Can a fish supplement help?
Dr Hilary: There is nothing to suggest it would. It may be good for learning problems but I'm afraid it's not the magic formula for everything. Good luck anyway.

Jane : My mum suffers from arthritis, could fish oils help?
Dr Hilary: Cod liver oil, as opposed to Omega 3 fish oils might be worth trying as many people swear by it and some medical research has pointed to its beneficial effect. there can't be any harm done trying it anyway.

Nik: Would EYEQ help psoriasis?
Dr Hilary: Because it contains both Omega 3 and Omega 6 it could well have a positive effect although its main theraputic use is for learning disorders. Again, why not try it for a month and see.

Thanks everyone for logging on and chatting this morning. There is obviously a lot of interest in this subject and we will no doubt be returning to it on the programme in the near future. Lovely to talk to you all, keep watching and bye for now.