Brain food for the young

AS school reopens for the new year, most parents will be looking for that special something to improve their child’s performance in school. Most will register their children for tuition classes, while other may sign their children up for ballet lessons, selfdefence classes and so on to ensure that their child stays competitive in school and later on in life.

While these extra-curricular classes are important, it is also important for the child to be properly nourished as a healthy child will absorb and digest what is being taught in school and in tuition classes better.

It is therefore important to give your child the extra nutritional edge. An important nutrition for schoolgoing children is omega-3 fish oil. Research has shown it is important for the healthy growth of the brain especially the Docosahexanoic Acid (DHA) component of the fish oil.

This does not come as a surprise as human brain cells comprise 30% fat, primarily essential fatty acids, which are also known as good fat.

In a well-researched clinical study conducted in Australia, 230 underperforming children were assigned to two groups. One group was given 500mg of omega-3 supplements daily and the other was given a placebo for three months.

The results revealed that the children who were given 500mg of DHA daily showed improvements in their reading and spelling ability, while the placebo group showed only average progress.

It was later reported that the omega-3 fish oil given to the children comprised 140mg DHA and 28mg of Eicosapentanoic Acid. This ratio led to the creation of the Golden 5:1 Rule for Optimum Brain Development.

The role of Omega-3

The brain is made up of a complex network of nerves. Information is processed in the brain as electrical impulses. Omega-3 fatty acids, in particular DHA, ensures the healthy and complete growth of these nerves in the brain. Having good and efficient nerves enables information to be processed at a faster speed. This improves a child’s ability to read and spell better.

Scientists recommend giving a child omega-3 as early as possible. This is because a child’s brain grows at a fast rate and having omega-3 in the diet ensures the nerves are well formed.

Suitable omega-3 fish oil for children

Not all omega-3 fish oil is suitable for children. It is therefore important to choose a product that is specially formulated for them. Most of these products are available for sale in pharmacies or health food stores. Here is a brief guide:

Most products are for children above the age of three. The labels will give you more information.

Choose omega-3 fish oil that has the Golden 5:1 Ratio Rule of DHA:EPA. It is advisable to choose a product with a low EPA content, preferably below 40mg.

Choose omega-3 fish oil that is sourced from tuna oil as the oil extracted from tuna contains a higher DHA content than most fish oils.

Choose a non-fishy tasting omega-3 fish oil. Most children dislike the fishy taste. There are special products that are formulated to naturally mask the fishy taste.

Choose a product that is recognised and trusted by parents worldwide. This gives you the confidence and peace of mind that the products are sold and given to kids around the world.