| Are fish oil supplements for children too? This | | | | such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, sardines, and lake |
| article discusses the many health benefits that | | | | trout. |
| children can experience by taking a quality | | | | But this is not recommended, and here's why... |
| omega-3 supplement. | | | | Most of the ocean's waters are polluted to some |
| The omega 3 fatty acids found in fish oil are just | | | | degree. Since fish live in these oceans, they often |
| as important for children's health as it is for adult's | | | | harbor contaminants like mercury, PCBs, dioxins, |
| health. | | | | arsenic, lead, and other heavy metals. |
| Omega-3 supplements can improve the brain | | | | Every time you eat a meal with fish, you are |
| function of children and even reduce symptoms | | | | most likely consuming these trace amounts of |
| that come with common childhood conditions like | | | | contaminants. This is why the AHA and other |
| asthma, eczema, and ADHD. They also help to | | | | organizations only recommend that people have |
| improve overall cognition, memory, and focus. | | | | 2-3 servings of fish per week. It's also why most |
| It's best if you start giving your child a regular | | | | doctors recommend that mothers refrain from |
| omega-3 dosage while you are pregnant. DHA and | | | | eating fish and seafood. |
| EPA omega-3 fatty acids are essential for the full | | | | As far as dosages of fish oil supplements for |
| development of your baby's brain, retinas, | | | | children goes, the general recommendations are: |
| cardiovascular system, and nervous system. | | | | *Age 1-3: 250 mg of DHA/day |
| Children whose mothers have adequate levels of | | | | *Age 4-8: 250-500 mg of DHA/day |
| omega-3 fatty acids during the second and third | | | | *Age 9+: 500 or more mg of DHA/day |
| trimesters of pregnancy have been shown to | | | | But of course, if your child has any sort of health |
| score up to 40% higher in test dealing with | | | | condition, your doctor might recommend a |
| cognitive function and development. Generally, the | | | | different dose. |
| more DHA and EPA that is in a supplement, the | | | | Understand that there's really no need for a |
| better it is for whomever is taking it. | | | | special kind of children's supplement. The |
| Besides fish oil supplements for children, you can | | | | important thing is that you get a brand that's safe |
| also make sure that your child gets enough | | | | and of high quality. |
| omega-3 fatty acids by feeding them fish often | | | | |