The Dosage of Omega-3 for Kids

The Dosage of Omega-3 for Kids
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Children are often diagnosed with behavioral dysfunctions, such as ADHD or autism, when in fact the children are simply deficient in certain nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients can be supplemented by providing your kids with the appropriate dosage of omega-3 fatty acids, which can be given in different types of oils.

Recommended Dosage

When giving your child specific omega-3 oil, it is important to consider your child's age when determining how much oil to give. For children age 1 to 3 years, give approximately 0.7 g of omega-3 fatty acid per day. For children age 4 to 8 years, give approximately 0.9 g of omega-3 fatty acid per day. For children age 9 to 13 years, give approximately 1.2 g of omega-3 fatty acid per day.

Sources

Omega-3 fatty acid can be found in cold-pressed oils, such as flax seed oil and hemp seed oil. Omega-3 fatty acid can be found in fish oils, such as cod liver oil, salmon oil and tuna oil.

Considerations

Fish oils can contain traces of residual mercury from the fish the oils are extracted from. When selecting an oil that contains omega-3 fatty acid, it is important to consider the heavy metals that can be present in fish oils. Look for a label on fish oils that specifically states that the oils are extracted from low mercury fish.

Warnings

Check with your doctor to see if it is safe for your child to ingest fish oils. Some children are allergic to fish and shellfish, which can cause mild to severe allergic reactions. These reactions can include hives, anaphylactic shock, swelling of the face, lips and tongue and itching. Your doctor can test your child to see if it is safe for her to take fish oils regularly.

References

Article reviewed by Sue Last updated on: May 31, 2011

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