Omega-3 fatty acids are necessary for human health, but since your body cannot make them, you need to get them from the food you eat. They are required for brain function as well as growth and development, and may reduce the risk of heart disease.
Sources
Omega-3 fatty acids are in salmon, rainbow trout, tuna, halibut, algae and krill, along with omega-3 enriched eggs. Other foods such as walnuts, as well as vegetable oils, including canola, soybean, flaxseed and olive, contain one of the two types of omega-3s present in fish and seafood.
Dose
There are no recommended daily doses for children, which is anyone 18 years of age of younger, states MayoClinic.com. Children should only consume omega-3 supplements under doctor supervision. Due to potentially harmful contaminants in some fish, such as heavy metals like mercury, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, recommend young children eat less than 2 oz. of sport-caught fish per week. For fish raised on farms, imported from other countries, or marine fish, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends young children avoid eating fish with higher levels of mercury such as mackerel, swordfish, shark and tilefish. Instead, children should eat up to 12 oz. of other type of fish weekly.
Function
Many studies investigate the function of fish oils, a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, present in fish or fish oil supplements. MedlinePlus, a National Institutes of Health website, rates the effectiveness of fish oil in treating a variety of conditions. They report that fish oil is possibly effective for improving thinking skills and behavior of 8- to 12-year-olds with attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Some research also suggests fish oil may improve airflow, reduce cough and lower the need for medications in some children with asthma, though this research is inconclusive
Considerations
As there are no current dosage suggestions for children, it is best to talk to your doctor if you feel your child could benefit from taking omega-3 fatty acids. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that studies investigating the effect of omega-3s on infant health and development are inconsistent, and that more research is still necessary.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- Mayo Clinic: Acids, Fish Oil, Alpha-Linolenic Acid
- MedlinePlus: Fish Oil
- Health Canada: Prenatal Nutrition Guidelines for Health Professionals - Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- US Department of Health & Human Services: Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Effects on Child & Maternal Health
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