Why Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplements for Kids Is Important?
This question has made many parents include Omega 3 supplements in the diet of their children while others continue to seek for more information.
What Are Omega-3 Fatty Acids?
Omega-3 fatty acids are known for being essential fatty acids required for the normal functioning of body, especially the brain. While EPA and DHA can be easily found in fishes, ALA i.e. alpha-linolenic acid is present in nuts and seeds. Omega-3 fatty acids play a key role in development of the cardiovascular as well as the central nervous systems. In addition, they can help you to fight against triglycerides, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, ADHD, and so on.
Research shows that omega-3 fatty acids are equally important because of their ability to influence psychological as well as behavioral conditions. Moreover, many studies have found omega-3 fatty acid supplements to be effective when it comes to treating a wide variety of conditions ranging from asthma to respiratory issues to obesity.
What Are The Different Types of Omega-3 Fatty Acids?
There are three different types of Omega-3 Fatty Acids i.e. eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).
- Sources of EPA and DHA: Fish
- Sources of ALA: Plant sources (i.e. flaxseed, chia seeds, etc.)
How To Know More About The Recommended Intake of Omega 3?
If you are struggling with finding the recommended intake of omega 3 fatty acids for your kids, here is a table that breaks it down for you.
| Age(in years) | Recommended Intake(grams per day) |
| Upto 1 | 0.5 |
| 1 to 3 | 0.7 |
| 4 to 8 | 0.9 |
| 9 to 13 | 1.2 (for boys)1 (for girls) |
| 14 to 18 | 1.6 (for boys)1.1 (for girls) |
Should You Go For Omega 3 Foods or Supplements?
It is certainly wise to try foods enriched with Omega 3 fatty acid before opting for supplements. However, these dishes might have to be a little innovative and kid-friendly. For example, you can try baking salmon with teriyaki sauce or even make salmon cakes. The portion size differs depending on the age of children. Please be careful about choosing fishes since it is recommended to consume fishes that are low in mercury. In case your kids don’t prefer to eat fish, you can incorporate other sources in your food. For example, you can flaxseed oil while cooking. You can also consider giving them flaxseeds or chia seeds. Other ingredients that you can try include mackerel, trout, herring, oysters, shrimp, walnuts, soy beans, etc.
Why Are Omega 3 Fatty Acids Important For Your Children?
There are a number of reasons for you to incorporate omega 3 fatty acids in the diet of your children. Omega 3 fatty acids can help with:
- Improving reading ability and cognitive ability
- Resolving behavioral issues such as ADHD
- Improving lung function
- Relieving joint pain
- Assisting visual and neurological development