Essential fatty acids can best be classified as the healthy fats that are being emphasized more and more in today's everyday household diet. These fatty acids are important components in the viability of the cardiovascular, nervous, immune and reproductive systems. They are also highly involved in aiding complete neural and sensory development, and thus are vital nutrients for proper development in all stages of fetal, infant and toddler health.
Omega-3
This essential fatty acid can be found in flaxseed oil, walnuts and pumpkin seeds. Linolenic acid is considered the main Omega-3 fatty acid, which is biosynthesized to aid in improving organ vitality and activity within cells. They help improve and develop circulation in infants, improving health through improved red blood cell viability. Severe deficiencies in this fatty acid in fetuses and developing children can cause underdevelopment of mental capabilities, poor eyesight, learning disorders, irregular heartbeats and retarded growth.
Omega-6
Omega-6 fatty acids, while important and a necessity, cannot be made by the body. They have to be received from food and can be found in borage seed oil, evening primrose oil and black currant seed oil. Just like Omega-3 fatty acids, Omega-6 fatty acids act as crucial components in overall brain development. In order for a more balanced supplement diet, Omega-6 should be balanced with Omega-3. In a child's balanced diet, Omega-6 is supplied on a more-than-adequate level, so supplementation of this fatty acid is usually not necessary.
Omega-9
While not considered an essential fatty acid, Omega-9 is still considered necessary. The body has the ability to only manufacture a limited amount of this nutrient based on the availability of other essential fatty acids. This nutrient can also be harvested from foods like olive oil, olives, nuts and avocados. A simple teaspoon of olive oil during pregnancy contains plenty of necessary Omega-9 servings to provide adequate nutrition for a growing fetus. Children should customarily receive about a third of the daily requirement of essential fatty acids recommended for adults.
Fish Oils
There are many Omega-3 benefits with taking a daily supplement of fish oil. However, due to the high mercury content of fish, cheaper brands of fish oil should be avoided, especially when pregnant or administering to a child. While the long-term threats associated with mercury ingestion through fish oil are not known, it is best to avoid this source of Omega-3 fatty acids, and rely on other sources to receive this essential nutrient. This is particularly important when dealing with a growing infant or child.
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