There are many studies suggesting that the benefits of omega 3 supplementation for children range from improving their asthma to helping with learning and behaviour, yet surprisingly pretty much everyone and especially children, are not getting enough. In fact the average person consumes less than half the recommended amount of omega 3 each day.
Omega 3, which is most commonly found in oily fish such as salmon and mackerel, is a polyunsaturated fatty acid and is essential for a healthy metabolism. It's long been thought to improve joint pain for arthritis sufferers, but in the last few years research suggesting that it may also benefit children has begun to accumulate. So what are the benefits of supplementing a diet with omega 3 for children and how much should they take?
Behaviour and learning
Omega 3 may be particularly beneficial for children at school, as children's learning and behaviour is influenced by the synaptic reorganization taking place in the brain during childhood and adolescence. Several studies have shown significant improvements in learning and behaviour when children are taking omega 3 supplements. To summarise some of the research:
Reading, writing, memory and behaviour
A well-known study called the Oxford Durham Trial, which involved 117 primary school children with conditions like dyslexia, ADHD and dyspraxia, showed improvements in a whole range of areas where the children were seen to:
-Have improved reading skills
-Have improved writing skills
-Have more confidence and better self-esteem
-Be calmer and not so disruptive
-Have improved memory
-Overall their reading and memory improved
Another study found that low levels of omega 3 in children were linked with worse reading skills, while children with higher omega 3 levels were related to better reading skills. In the same study working memory, the ability to remember sequences of numbers or words, was also better in children with higher omega 3 levels.
Depression
Fish oil is often used as a treatment for depression in adults and there have also been a few studies in children. One study of omega 3 in depressed children, aged between 6 and 12 years, found it helped their symptoms significantly.
Diabetes
One study looked at children who were at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The researchers found that those who ate a high omega 3 diet were less likely to develop the illness.
Asthma
Omega 3 is also known to have an anti inflammatory effect and it has been found that it may reduce inflammation in the airways. This is thought to benefit children who suffer from asthma. One small study of children with asthma found that those taking fish oil had fewer symptoms than those who didn't.
How reliable is all this research?
While many of these studies are small there is an increasing amount of information that suggests omega 3 supplementation does indeed help children, particularly with respect to improving their cognitive function. However, as always, more research is needed in order to verify exactly how and to what extent omega 3 benefits children.
Dosage of omega 3
There are a variety of suggested dosages from several trusted sources. The UK government recommends taking 450mg per day for heart health for adults. Dr Alex Richardson, a leading expert in the field recommends taking 1000mg per day for mental well being and performance. The Health Food Manufacturers Association recommends between 500 and 600 mg per day EPA plus DHA (this is the beneficial oil in omega 3).
The following helpful guidelines for omega 3 dosage for children from Health Canada, the Canadian Governments website may also be useful:
Dose information for EPA + DHA in omega 3 presented as dose per day
EPA + DHA(mg/day)
Children; 1-8 years; up to 1,500
Adolescents; 9-13 years; up to 2,000
14-18 years old; up to 2,500
Adults; ≥ 19 years old; up to 3,000
Charlie the optimalhealth4kids.co.uk health writer, at optimalhealth4kids we offer products and information on kids health and nutrition - "Give your kids the health they deserve" http://www.optimalhealth4kids.co.uk
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charlie_M_Perring
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