Growing up smart
THE hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. Parents play an important role in raising smart and healthy kids.
A mother who gives her child supplements containing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from fish oils know that it is important in helping her child grow up smart.
Infant milk powders are commonly fortified with DHA, as research shows that DHA encourages healthy development especially during the first few years of a child’s life.
Some parents may wonder if only infants or toddlers can benefit from taking DHA. It is not too late to give DHA from omega-3 fish oil to older children. In fact, it helps them to catch up with their peers.
According to a 2012 study published in the PLOS ONE journal, giving 600mg/day of omega-3 DHA to children aged seven to nine for 16 weeks helps improve the reading proficiency and behaviour of underperforming children in mainstream primary schools.
Dr Alex Richardson, senior researcher at the University of Oxford, says, “The results showed that taking daily supplements of omega-3 DHA improved reading performance for the poorest readers (those in the lowest fifth of the range) and helped these children catch up with their peer group.”
Getting the right dose
The dietary sources of DHA are oily fishes such as tuna, salmon, mackerel and trout. The World Health Organization recommends a 200mg to 250mg combination of eicosapentaenoic acid and DHA for children aged six to 10. However, parents know how difficult it is to get a kid to eat fish regularly because of the fishy taste and the risk of choking on fish bones. As such, giving your kids a good omega-3 fish oil supplement is the best way to ensure that he or she gets the all-important DHA on a daily basis. As not all omega-3 fish oil with DHA supplements for kids are the same, it is important to choose a suitable one. Choose one that:
Has omega-3 fish oil with optimal levels of DHA – an ideal product should have 133mg DHA per burstlet
Has chewable burstlets with a tasty content so kids can have fun chewing them instead of swallowing capsules
Taste great with no fishy aftertaste
Is safe and free from mercury and heavy metals
This educational article is brought to you by Nature’s Way.
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