| It was bound to happen. For the last few years the | | | | that is molecularly distilled to remove the |
| marketing people have been pushing omega 3 for | | | | contaminants. Ignore language that says refined or |
| kids in every product you can think of - milk, cereal, | | | | pure without telling you how they do it. Also ignore |
| candy and bread. Now there are products touted as | | | | marketing gimmicks that say Icelandic, Norwegian or |
| fish oil for kids, but is there such a thing and should | | | | Alaskan. This type of language will not keep your |
| you use it? | | | | family safe. |
| Omega 3 fatty acids like DHA and EPA are sourced | | | | Children sometimes have problems swallowing tablets |
| from the oil of cold water fatty species like salmon, | | | | or large pills. Not to worry. Most of the quality |
| tuna or sardines. They are given most of the credit | | | | supplements come in a soft gel capsule that goes |
| for the long list of benefits that would include better | | | | down easily with juice. I used to take an additional |
| brain, eye, heart and joint health. | | | | step - cut the capsule in half and squeeze the oil |
| Let's clear up one thing. Fish oil for kids is the same | | | | onto something like yogurt. By the way, you should |
| product as the one for adults. If you go to a | | | | only smell a faint ocean aroma or nothing at all. This |
| restaurant and order salmon for the whole family, | | | | means you have a fresh supplement. Many |
| they do not have a separate species to serve to the | | | | manufacturers add perfumes to mask something - do |
| children. Getting omega 3 for kids is very important. | | | | not trust these products. |
| Deficiencies in this area can lead to lower IQs, | | | | Last but not least, get a product rich in DHA and |
| emotional problems, lack of cognition and a slower | | | | EPA. These are the two most important omega 3 |
| physical development. More and more parents have | | | | fatty acids. Any fish oil for kids or adults without a |
| realized this and are looking to get more fish oil into | | | | lot of these two is a waste of money. As an adult, I |
| their kids diets. | | | | take 1-2 grams per day of these omega 3s. You |
| However, there are some practical considerations. | | | | could start your children with about 250mg [1/4 |
| The FDA has warned adults about eating too much | | | | gram] per day and then work upward with time. |
| seafood because of the pollutants in it. This goes | | | | Remember, a fish oil for kids product is not just for |
| double for children who react very badly to heavy | | | | children. Get a quality adult supplement and start with |
| metal poisoning. The solution is to get a supplement | | | | lower doses. That way the whole family can use it. |