Fish oil helps treat several health problems and most often comes from salmon, herring, mackerel, tuna or halibut. Most of the benefit of taking fish oil pills comes from the omega-3 fatty acids they contain. However, they aren't right for everyone and your teen's doctor will make a recommendation based on his health.
Importance
The omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil pills are important to your teen's health because they are essential nutrients, which means he must get them from his diet because his body does not produce them. An adequate intake of omega-3s in early childhood supports healthy brain development and continuing to consume them in the teen years keeps the brain working properly, including memory, learning and reasoning. Omega-3s are also important for a teen's eyes.
Dosage
There is no standard dosage of fish oil for children under age 18. MayoClinic.com does not recommend using fish oil for children unless directed by a doctor. If prescribed, the exact dosage may vary depending on what condition it is being used for. You can buy fish oil over the counter and it is typically found where other supplements are sold at drugstores and health food stores.
Health Benefits
Fish oil is most often used for heart and blood system conditions, which generally don't affect teens. However, for overweight teen boys, supplementing with fish oil may improve blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reports "The Journal of Pediatrics" in September 2010. It may be effective for treating depression and ADHD in teens as well. Another study published in "Pediatrics" in May 2005, and reported in "ADDitude" magazine, found that children with ADHD who were given fish oil supplements showed improvement in reading, behavior and spelling over the course of three months. Fish oil may be used to relieve pain associated with menstruation. Asthma, movement disorders and coordination problems in teens are other conditions that may show improvement with fish oil supplementation.
Considerations
The potency of fish oil pills varies and may not provide the same degree of benefit and some experimentation may be necessary to find one that is helpful for your teen. Some fish oil pills combine omega-3s with other nutrients, which may not be healthy for all teens. If your teen's doctor does not recommend fish oil pills, try serving fish more often. Salmon, mackerel, herring, tuna, anchovies and trout are good options that are versatile and easy to prepare. However, MayoClinic.com recommends limiting fish intake to 12 ounces per week due to environmental toxins, such as mercury, that many types of fish contain.
References
- "ADDitude"; Alternative ADHD Treatment: Fish Oil; Tina Adler
- MayoClinic.com: Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Fish Oil, Alpha-Linolenic Acid
- The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne: Fish Oils -- What the Research Says
- "The Journal of Pediatrics"; Effects of Fish Oil Supplementation on Markers of the Metabolic Syndrome; M.H. Pederson, et.al.; September 2010
- MedlinePlus: Fish Oil
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; What You Need to Know About Mercury in Fish and Shellfish; 2004
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