What are Omega 3 fatty acids? Do our children need them? The answer is yes. Omega 3’s need to be a daily part of our child’s diet. The Omega 3 fatty acids are essential. They help feed our child’s developing brain and keep it healthy. They are an important part of the process that develops the central nervous and cardiovascular system and helps the body absorb nutrients. They protect against heart disease, have anti-inflammatory properties, assist in proper retinal and brain development, and improves focus and behavior in children.
Omega 3 fats are polyunsaturated (healthy) fats. They are an essential fat. That means that the body cannot produce it and must be acquired from the diet. Most Norther American children are deficient in Omega 3’s. Allergies, eczema, constipation, ADHD and other learning disabilities have all been linked to a deficient Omega 3 diet. The American diet is high in Omega 6 fatty acids offsetting the healthy Omega 3 fatty acids. As a result, the Omega 6 is interfering with the proper absorption of Omega 3 fatty acids.
Children that have ADHD have shown that they are deficient in their Omega 3 fatty acids. The Omega 3 fatty acids are beneficial in neurotransmitter development and may manage psychological and behavioral conditions. Antisocial traits and impaired emotion processing can also be benefited by Omega 3 fatty acids. Children that are deficient in their Omega 3’s are constantly thirst have dry hair and skin, asthma and ear infections.
Breast feed babies have a higher amount of DHA, which is produced by Omega 3 fatty acids. It is also proven that breast fed babied have a higher cognitive development that formula-fed babies. Babies that are born from mothers that were Omega 3 deficient have a higher rate of having vision and nerve problems.
Omega 3 fatty acids are found in flaxseed oil, flax seed, chia seeds, soybean, cold-water fish, Omega-3 eggs- produced by chickens that are feed alfalfa, corn, soybean and flaxseed and grass fed beef. The EPA warns cation of eating fish that may have high mercury, dioxins and PCB’s. Only eat wild caught salmon and not more than 2 ounces of tuna per week.