Can Fish Oil Aide in Child Development?

The idea of fish oil for children has been gaining aAdditionally, according to the University of
lot of traction in recent years due to a continuedMaryland research center it is advised that young
and every expanding body of research linkingchildren not eat certain types of fish including
certain chemicals in fish oil with brain and nervousswordfish, shark, and king mackerel. Other fish
system development, as well as a study findingyoung children should only have very small
that arterial plaque accumulation can begin as earlyportions of are albacore tuna, salmon, and herring.
as the age of three. Children also seem toMuch of the University of Maryland's concerns
consume very small amounts of the beneficialrevolve around the possibility of contaminants and
omega 3 fatty acids as part of their daily diets,toxins including mercury, dioxins, and PCBs.
with only 19 mg of omega 3 fatty acidsThese concerns also apply to farm raised fish. In
consumed daily. That said, most experts in thefarm raised fish a recent study found the content
field of child medicine discourage the use of fish oilof dioxin toxins were 8 times greater than in wild
for children prior to the age of 3, due tofish. Also other chemical were found intended to
physiological and psychological developmentalenhance color, especially in salmon.
issues.Why fish oil for children? There are a few
The hard facts about omega 3 fatty acidsreasons why fish oil for children is a good idea.
Omega 3 fatty acids can't be manufactured byFirst omega 3 fatty acids are needed for
the body. They are considered a vital componentchildren's brains to develop properly. Second,
of human health and therefore must be derivedomega three fatty acids seem to help with
from food sources. They are plentiful in salmon,common childhood behavioral disorders such as
tuna, mackerel, herring, sardines, anchovies as wellADHD, and lastly fish oil for children can be taken
as other marine life such as krill, algae, andin supplement form to guarantee no toxins such
seaweed. These are food that children may notas mercury are accidentally ingested.
be all that crazy about and in some cases shouldIn conclusion fish oil for children is definitely worth
avoid. In fact I doubt if junior has requested a canconsidering but before begin making your child into
of sardines topped with a healthy portion ofthe next Einstein consult your child's pediatrician to
seaweed and krill lately. Let's face it he may stillget his stamp of approval. Who knows, your child
be at the age where he believes krill is anothermight end up being the talking baby on one of
1st grade student that is coming over tothose catchy commercials!
celebrate his 6th birthday.