S Dahiya, Buckinghamshire

A Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are called essential because the body cannot make them, but must get them from the diet. Research by scientists at Oxford University has conclusively shown that supplementing the diet with omega-3 and omega-6 fats is the single most effective thing you can do to help children (and adults) with hyperactive disorders.

I say adults too, because, according to American research, half of all those diagnosed as hyperactive as children go on to have social and behavioural problems beyond childhood.

Foods that are rich in the omega-3 fats are not only few and far between, but unlikely to appeal to children, so supplementation is the better route. These foods include dark leafy greens, salmon, mackerel, tuna, soya beans, pumpkin seeds, and anchovies.

The bestselling EFA supplement in America is the Barlean’s organic range of liquids and capsules, which includes a strawberry-flavour capsule for children. This entire high-potency range of both flaxseed and fish oils is now available in the UK and not only does it provide a more potent dosage of a form of omega-3 fat called eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) than most competitors make, it is cheaper, too.

I take the organic Omega Twin oil daily, which combines organic flax and borage oils (£19.99 for a 350ml monthly supply) and give my daughter the MorEPA strawberry capsules (£12.99 for 60 capsules), available by mail order from Healthy and Essential (www.healthyandessential.com; 0870 053 6000). The only side effect of ingesting too much oil in the diet will be diarrhoea, but this is unlikely unless you swallow it by the bucketful.

Q I have tried asking my GP about mixing supplements, but she admits she is not very knowledgeable about natural health. I am sure lots of people share my concern that we might be doing more harm than good by taking so many.

J Turner, Brighton

A It can be tempting to mix remedies ad hoc every time you read an article about another supersupplement, but the key to using natural remedies safely and effectively is to use a good-quality range that has done the mixing for you.

Check out the Sage Organic range (www.sageorganic.com), which combines herbs and nutrients in dual-packs, providing the therapeutic dosages of the remedies you need. The range comprises Healthy Man and Healthy Woman multisupplements and more specific formulations for pregnancy, menopause, and for vitality in later life. Where possible, ingredients are organic, but, of course, there is no such thing as an organic manufactured vitamin. The dual-packs take the confusion out of supplementation and are good value at £8.99. They are available by mail order on 01672 811777.

Q My 21-year-old daughter is being monitored for cancerous changes to the cells in her cervix. A second colposcopy examination will confirm whether the situation has deteriorated, in which case she will have to have a section removed. Can you suggest any supplements that might help?

Name and address withheld

A An estimated 80% of all women are infected by the human papilloma virus (HPV) within four years of becoming sexually active and, while only some strains of this virus have been linked with cervical cancer, 90% of all cervical carcinomas are now believed to be caused by it.

Controlled clinical trials are under way in London testing the efficacy of a natural treatment combining folic acid with a little-known Asian mushroom supplement called Coriolus versicolor. The theory, as yet unproven, is that this combination may not only help prevent cancerous changes to the cells of the cervix, it could even reverse them. It follows encouraging preliminary findings that suggest these two remedies will work to trigger the body's own immune system to eradicate the HPV.

Folic acid, of course, is better known as the supplement pregnant women take to help prevent neural-tube defects in the developing embryo. It is present in foods such as broccoli and meat, but in its natural form it is 40% less bioavailable than when sourced from supplements.

The typical therapeutic dosage is 400mcg a day. Lamberts' Folic Acid (£3.75 for 100 tablets) and JHS Coriolus (£49.95 for 60 capsules) are available by mail order from the Nutri Centre (0800 587 2290). I stress, however, that your daughter must go back for her second colposcopy and only use these remedies as an adjunct to conventional treatment.

For more information on natural remedies, visit my website: www.whatreallyworks.co.uk

If you have any questions or tips, write to What's the Alternative? Style, The Sunday Times, 1 Pennington Street, London E98 1ST. We can only reply to published letters

Before following any medical or dietary advice in this column, please consult your GP if you suffer from any health problems or special conditions, or are in doubt as to its suitability