Should You Give Your Kids Omega 3 Fish Oil?

By Author: Jett Bertles
Total Articles: 18
Comment this article

Administering specially formulated kids fish oil to your precious angels is the right thing to do; but then there are certain factors that you need to consider before choosing a brand that is both reliable and effective. Most fish oil for children (stacked on the racks of pharmacies and health stores globally), fail to have the right amounts of essential omega 3 fatty acids. They do not provide the right nutritional benefits and may also contain some toxic impurities such as PCBs, Mercury or heavy metals released from contaminated fish—beware!

Dangers of Administering Toxins

These toxins prove to be very harmful and potentially dangerous for kids, as their immune systems are weak and not as conditioned/ strong as those in adults. So, you need to be more careful about the products you administer–as the impurities or adulterated ingredients contained in them may lead to a negation of benefits derived from these supplements. Apart from weakening the nervous system and making the normal bodily functions erratic, these toxins can also lead to major health concerns –sometimes fatal.

How to Avoid ...
... Toxins in Kids Fish Oil

To avoid consumption of these toxins, you should ensure purchase of supplements that are totally purified by the process of molecular distillation—an act which involves laboratory based procedures for the removal of toxins and other harmful substances from the oil. You should also check for the Certificate of Analysis (COA), which guarantees that the company selling the product has invested its resources in molecular distillation and other essential tests.

Levels of DHA

Before going ahead with the act of introducing your child to fish oil, you must also have complete awareness about the quantity of DHA that the supplement contains. The right levels of DHA lead to positive benefits for your child's development. According to experts, administration of DHA present in fish oil leads to improvements in learning abilities, memory, concentration and IQ alike. It also goes a long way in bringing about enhancements in the lives of children suffering from ADHD, Autism, ADD and so forth. High levels of DHA also help in improving your kid’s eye sight and boosting his/her overall immune system.

Way Forward…

For best results, experts recommend a daily intake of fish oil that contains a minimum of 250mg of DHA per capsule of 1000 mg oil. The right ration of DHA to EPA being 2:1, you need to look for brands that offer the same. If your kids find it difficult to swallow the capsule, then you may consider opening the case and adding the fish oil to their favorite cereals or meals. However, avoid giving fish oil supplements that boast of enteric coatings or artificial additives—they are usually unhealthy for consumption by humans.

All the best!