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Omega 3 is an especially important nutrient for the brain development of children. The full Omega 3 supplement for children can help enhance memory and develop thinking and creative abilities. Let's learn more about what Omega 3 does for children in the article below.1. What is Omega 3?
Omega-3s are essential unsaturated fatty acids for the body. One of the most important uses of Omega 3 is its anti-inflammatory effect. Omega-3s are essential fatty acids for brain development, heart health and boosting immunity in children. This is a fatty acid that the human body cannot produce on its own, and must be absorbed from outside food sources.Omega 3 is a precursor to many acids, namely alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). ALA is present in many plants, including nuts, seeds, vegetable oils such as flaxseed oil, soybean oil, etc. However, ALA cannot act directly in the body immediately after consumption. need to convert the active ingredient ALA into absorbable forms such as DHA and EPA.
EPA and DHA appear most in fatty fish such as mackerel, salmon and tuna. At the same time, active ingredients EPA and DHA are widely available in the market as supplements. Some types of Omega 3 supplements for children such as fish oil, krill oil and algae oil.
2. What are the benefits of Omega 3 for children?
Omega-3 is very necessary for the health of the baby, helping to solve problems with skin, heart, joint pain... However, many people still wonder what effects Omega 3 has for children? The fortification of Omega 3 supplements for children can bring benefits such as:
Increases good cholesterol levels, reduces triglyceride and fat levels in the baby's blood. Supports brain development. Adequate supply of Omega 3 to children will result in good hand-eye coordination skills. At the same time, they also work to increase social skills, concentration ability and higher IQ. Improve eyesight, protect children's eyes. Enhance memory, develop thinking, help children learn better and more effectively. Support for the treatment of depression: There is no evidence that Omega-3 is effective in the treatment of depression. However, people who regularly supplement with foods containing Omega 3 during depression treatment will have better results. Increase children's ability to concentrate. Some studies show that giving omega-3 supplements to children can reduce symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). People with bipolar disorder who take an Omega 3 supplement along with a prescription medication have fewer mood swings and are less likely to have a relapse than those who don't take an omega-3 supplement. Reduce symptoms of schizophrenia. Omega 3 supplements for children are very helpful in enhancing memory. This is because these fatty acids are most often concentrated in the brain. People who are allergic to sunlight will be able to tolerate sunlight for a while after taking fish oil for a while. Besides, fish oil is also very useful for people with psoriasis. Omega 3 supplements for children are essential. Deficiency in Omega-3 levels can make a child's immune system weakened, skin problem and prone to disease. In addition, the use of foods containing Omega 3 for children also helps to enhance memory, develop thinking and concentration.
You can supplement Omega 3 for children through daily nutrition with foods rich in Omega-3. Currently, EPA and DHA ingredients are also widely available in the market as dietary supplements. However, to be safe, before giving it to your child, you should still consult a pediatrician.
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3. Can children take Omega 3?
Fish oil is integrated from the tissues of oily fish such as tuna, sardines, herring, salmon, mackerel... Fish oil is usually stored in the abdominal cavity, just below the intestines of the fish and is very rich. Omega-3.
In fact, Omega 3 supplements for children in the form of fish oil are not harmful but also not necessary if your baby eats oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, tuna at least once a week . If your child's daily diet does not have much Omega 3, you can supplement your baby with a variety of Omega 3 supplements for children according to the doctor's instructions and some of the following notes:
Use Fish oil is derived from fish meat, absolutely not for children and infants to use fish liver to supplement Omega 3. The reason is because the composition of fish liver may contain many different toxins or functions. high amount of vitamin A. Take fish oil exactly according to the dosage indicated on the package or as prescribed by a qualified doctor. Omega 3 supplements with too much can cause digestive disorders with signs such as diarrhea, abdominal pain. For children under 2 years of age, you should choose an Omega 3 supplement in liquid form instead of tablets. Before using Omega 3 supplements for infants and children, you should consult a qualified doctor to ensure effectiveness and safety for your child.
4. How to supplement Omega 3 for children
Supplementing Omega 3 for babies is extremely necessary, but mothers providing Omega 3 to their children in too high a quantity can bring about the opposite effect. Children can be affected by their ability to fight against invading bacteria, causing nausea, diarrhea, ... for young children. Therefore, before using Omega 3 for children, mothers need to know what dosage is enough.
Children from 0-12 months use 0.5 grams/day; Children from 1 to 3 years old: 0.7g/day; Children 4 - 8 years old: 0.9 grams/day; Children 9-13 years old: 1.2 grams/day for boys and 1 gram/day for girls; Children from 14 to 18 years old: 1.6 grams/day for boys and 1.1 grams/day for girls. About how to supplement Omega 3 for babies: Mothers can supplement omega 3 from when they are pregnant and after giving birth by increasing the use of omega-rich foods in their daily meals such as salmon, mackerel, cereals, eggs, milk, spinach ... The amount of EPA, DHA through the placenta nourishes the fetus and has a role in contributing to the formation of the brain and eyes of the fetus. Therefore, for pregnant women need to be supplemented. According to the US government's recommendation in 2010, pregnant women should consume about 300g of diverse seafood per week (equivalent to 300-800mg DHA/day).
After the baby is two years old, parents can still give the baby formula or can give the baby ready-to-drink formula (with or without DHA added). If mothers choose to give their children Omega 3 with fish oil, they need to be careful because heavy metals and pollutants in fish oil can negatively affect the health of children.
Therefore, in order to use Omega 3 for babies and children with the best effect, mothers should ask more doctors about the daily nutrition of nursing mothers. At the same time, refer to the use of additional foods to ensure that breast milk has enough Omega 3 for the baby.
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