Brain Power!

Omega-3 Fatty Acids-Sound Fishy?

           

            Omega-3 Fatty Acids? Seem like a boring topic?  Well, read further because Omega-3 Fatty Acids are the BRAIN POWER of the nutrition world.  Do you want your child to be able to improve in their thinking skills?  How about reducing hyperactivity?  Improvement in their behavior?  Still not interested?  Well, how about helping your child read better or have an easier time with spelling?  Do I have your attention yet?  Let me throw this in to make it a clincher… Omega-3 Fatty Acids also help reduce dyslexia (difficulty with reading), dyspraxia (difficulty speaking), depression, and anxiety. And one more thing:  it aids in eye and brain development! The benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids are huge and many people do not recognize their value.

As a critical factor in brain and body development, omega-3 fatty acids function in several ways including but not limited to increasing blood flow which influences hormones and the immune system.  This in turn affects brain function.  It does this by supporting the neurotransmission among brain cells which then impacts memory and ability to learn by providing good cognitive functioning.  Omega-3 fatty acids are necessary especially during pregnancy, lactation, and infancy due to the rapid brain development in the fetus, infant, and child.

Unfortunately, most children do not get enough omega-3 fatty acids in their natural diets.  Some good sources of omega-3 fatty acid rich foods include the following:

Flaxseed Oil

Canola Oil

Soybean Oil

Walnuts

Fish (including salmon, herring, tuna, mackerel, flounder, halibut, cod, haddock, sardines, trout).

            Should be easy to get your toddlers to eat those things right?  Not always, I agree.  And then, let’s not forget that many fish have exposure to methylmercury which is not so good for brains.  So, here are a few ideas:

            Consult your doctor on good sources of Omega-3 Fatty Acid foods/fish in your area.

            Avoid shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish.

            Take caution with albacore ‘white’ tuna.

            The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends eating salmon, shrimp, pollock, tuna (light canned), tilapia, catfish, and cod.  These are the most commonly eaten fish and are lower in mercury.

            You can also find DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) enriched eggs.

            And Supplements are also an option.

            One particular supplement that I use personally and also give to my nephew who is 9 years old, is Ultimate EFA from Youngevity.  My sister in law also gives this to her daughter and has done since she was about 2 years old.

The product is a blend of essential fatty acids from Borage, Flax, and Fish Oils.  As always, I encourage you to consult your doctor before taking any supplements or giving them to your child.  

          This particular product does not have too strong of a flavor and for children who do not yet swallow pills very easily, it can be pierced and squirted into a food that your child loves such as yogurt or pudding.  I have also know of children simply chewing on the capsules rather than swallowing them whole.

If you are interested in how to contact Youngevity to obtain this product, please contact me and I will walk you through it.  There are also other products but my experience is with this particular one.  I encourage you to study out what is best for you and your family.