7 Things You Didn’t Know About Omegas and Your Child’s Health

Now that your child is back to school, it is important to give them the nutrition they need to stay focused and attentive.

 

Nourishing meals rich in omega-3 are important to give your child the extra head start they need. Which is why we spoke to Warren Maginn, Clinical Nutritionist, to ask which things you may not know about omegas for your child’s health.

 

Essential fatty acids are necessary to remain healthy

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are omega-3 essential fatty acids found in fish and fish oil that are essential for healthy foetal, infant, and child development.

Omega-6 isn’t as healthy as it sounds

It is hard to avoid omega-6 as they are highly abundant in the modern Western diet. It is advisable to swap some of your child’s grain based foods such as bread and pasta for more fruits and vegetables such as berries, mangos, leafy greens, squash and cauliflower. When cooking, try to avoid soy, safflower, sunflower or ‘vegetable’ oils as these are considerably higher in omega-6 than most other oils.

Omega-3 can be found in food

Cold water fish such as salmon and sardines contain high levels of omega-3, as well as free-range eggs and natural yoghurt. Although adding these to your child’s diet will definitely increase their omega-3 levels, balancing their omega-6 and omega-3 is important. Your child would have to eat an abundant amount of fish to even come close to tipping the balance in most household circumstances. That is why a fish oil supplement may be of benefit.

Fish oil supplements are all different

The many natural features of fish oil which make it so beneficial for adults, apply equally, if not more so, to children. To ensure safety from toxins and free radicals, and to avoid a fishy aftertaste or burps, choose a supplement that is third-party tested for purity and freshness, with a certificate of analysis available to demonstrate this. Only third-party analysis can verify the quality of a fish oil supplement.

Children lack omega-3 in their diet

The vast majority of children are not getting enough EPA and DHA because they do not regularly consume enough cold-water fish, either because they are picky eaters or because it is simply not available to them.

Although adding omega-3 foods in their diet is beneficial, due to the large amounts of omega-6 in the modern Western diet there may often still be an unbalance. A fish oil supplement that includes both EPA and DHA will ensure your child gains an adequate amount of these essential nutrients.

Cognition and learning improvements with omegas

DHA is essential to normal brain function throughout life, supporting development, memory and learning. There is strong scientific evidence that both EPA and DHA help contribute to overall cognitive health, and research consistently shows that fish oil is associated with higher cognitive performance in children.

Omegas may benefit mental health and behaviour

EPA and DHA have also shown positive effects on mood and behaviour, and may promote improved learning capabilities in a school setting.

shop the blog

Equinox Botanicals Mullein Garlic Ear Oil 15ml
Add to Bag $23.95 VIEW BAG →
Hab Shifa TQ+ Activated Ultra Strength Black Seed Oil 60c
Add to Bag $35.95 VIEW BAG →
Hab Shifa TQ+ Activated Black Seed Oil 120c
Add to Bag $53.95 VIEW BAG →
Sow n Reap Co Elderberry Syrup 250ml
Add to Bag $33.95 VIEW BAG →
Sow n Reap Co Elderberry Syrup 500ml
Notify Me
Herbs of Gold Children's Immune Care Chewable 60t
Add to Bag $35.99 VIEW BAG →
Herbs of Gold Zinc Forte+ C 100g
Add to Bag $37.45 VIEW BAG →
High Strength Sacred Sidr Honey (34+ T.A Rating) 500g
Notify Me
High Strength Sacred Sidr Honey (34+ T.A Rating) 250g
Notify Me
J.CROW'S Lugol's Solution of Iodine 5% 30ml Bottle
Add to Bag $49.95 VIEW BAG →
J.CROW'S Lugol's Solution of Iodine 2% 60ml Bottle
Add to Bag $49.95 VIEW BAG →
NaturoBest Ultimate Vitamin C & Bioflavonoids Lemon Lime Fla ...
Add to Bag $23.16 VIEW BAG →
Rocket Fuel With Dropper 50ml
Add to Bag $39.95 VIEW BAG →
Rocket Fuel With Dropper 100ml
Add to Bag $59.95 VIEW BAG →
Evolution Botanicals 10 Mushroom Formula Optimise Wellbeing ...
Add to Bag $99.95 VIEW BAG →

more blogs

Back to School read now
What’s in your sunscreen? read now
Support your immune system naturally read now
Easy Ways to Support Immunity read now
Stressing The Importance of Energy read now
Australia's Best Eco-Friendly Cleaning Brands read now
Strengthen Your Defence: Top 5 Natural Remedies to Boost Your Immune System read now
Top 10 Natural Medicine Must-Haves for Winter read now

Don't miss out

Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest updates and info