Yes Omega 3 helps. You have to be really careful with the vitamins that women and children take. The FDA did a study on women's and children's vitamins and found out that out of the 320 vitamins they tested there were almost 100% of the vitamins that tested for lead. Lead is very bad and cost lots of money to get rid of in the body and it does not help cognitive functioning at all.
I use Shaklee, who I think is the only company that tests for lead and other toxic ingredients before, during and after manufacturing - here is some information that might be helpful.
If anyone is interested go to http://nutritionproducts.myshaklee.com
Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Children’s Health
Omega-3 fatty acids, also known as polyunsaturated
fatty acids, are essential to human health but
cannot be made by the body. For this reason, they
must be obtained from the foods we eat. Good
sources of omega-3s include fatty fish and
certain plant foods, including olive oil, flaxseed,
and walnuts.
There are three major types of omega-3 fatty
acids consumed in foods and used by the body:
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid
(EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The body
converts ALA to EPA and DHA, which are the two
omega-3 fatty acids used most readily by humans.
However, because this conversion is fairly
inefficient (less than 5%), dietary consumption of
both DHA and EPA is highly recommended—
especially in young children in order for them to
meet their significant need for these important
omega-3 fatty acids. Research continues to
validate the important role these omega-3 fatty
acids play in normal growth as well as in the early
development of a child’s brain and eyes.
Early Brain and Visual Development
DHA and EPA are best known for their beneficial role in
protecting adults’ cardiovascular health and in lessening
inflammatory conditions. However, emerging science
suggests that DHA in particular plays an important role
in early brain and visual development in growing infants
and children. In fact, DHA is the most abundant omega-3
long-chain fatty acid in the brain and, during the last trimester of pregnancy and continuing throughout the first few years of life, it is rapidly incorporated into nervous tissue of the retina and brain.1 Supplementation of infant formula with DHA has been shown to aid growth,development, and vision in premature infants, and prenatal and infant deficiencies of DHA have been shown to lead to brain abnormalities.1 Cognitive and Behavioral Function
Beyond early development and throughout life, DHA is
believed to continue to influence brain function by
playing an important role in brain-cell membrane structure,
brain-cell receptor activity, and the production of
neurotransmitters and other brain chemicals.2 This has
lead to considerable interest in the potential role DHA may
have on cognitive development and behavioral function during childhood. A number of research studies have examined the relationship between the levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the body and a variety of childhood disorders, including autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is one of the most
common childhood disorders and it affects 5%–10% of
school-age children, or 4.4 million youths ages 4–17. Symptoms include difficulty staying focused and paying attention,difficulty controlling behavior, and a general inability to sit still or tendency to be hyperactive. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimate that 2.5 million of these children receive some type of medication to treat this disorder and, to make matters worse, this condition can continue throughout life, with as many as 70% of children diagnosed with ADHD suffering from the disorder into adolescence and adulthood.3 Studies suggest that children with ADHD may have low levels of certain essential fatty acids (including DHA) in their bodies.
In a clinical study of nearly 100 boys, those with lower
levels of omega-3 fatty acids demonstrated more learning and behavioral problems—such as temper tantrums and sleep
disturbances—than boys with normal omega-3 fatty acid
levels.4 In animal studies, low levels of omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to lower the concentration of certain brain chemicals—such as dopamine and serotonin—related to attention and motivation.5 Randomized clinical trials assessing the effects of omega-3 supplementation on symptoms of ADHD have been published. Some studies indicate supplementing a child’s diet with a combination of long-chain fatty acids including DHA and EPA may be beneficial for reducing symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity when compared with a placebo6,7, while other studies have found no benefit.8 17 Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Children’s Health Shaklee Health Sciences Because of the diversity of findings, more research is needed and, as of today, firm conclusions are difficult to draw. However, researchers have proposed that future studies be designed to: 1) better understand the mechanism of action of omega-3 fatty acids in ADHD, 2) identify which children
with ADHD might benefit from omega-3 supplementation,
3) determine which fatty acids—and how much—to supplement
with, and 4) pinpoint the optimal time for intervention
(e.g. prenatal, infancy, or at time of diagnosis).9 However, until then, consumption of foods and supplements high in omega-3 fatty acids is a reasonable approach for someone with ADHD.
Autism Autism is one of a group of disorders known as autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Autism usually is diagnosed by age 3 and lasts throughout a person’s life. Children with autism or other ASDs can suffer a wide array of developmental disabilities that can cause substantial impairments in social interaction and communication, as well as unusual behaviors and interests. Many children with ASDs also have unusual ways of learning, paying attention, and reacting to different sensations, and there is significant variability in severity— some children are high functioning while others can be quite severely affected. Recent data from the CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network indicate that
about 1 in 150 8-year-olds living in the United States has an ASD. Scientists think there may be many causes that can
lead to the development of an ASD—and both genes and the
environment appear to play a role.10 There is some evidence that alterations in fatty acid metabolism may play a role in the pathophysiology of autism.
In one study, researchers compared the levels of fatty acids in the blood of a group of autistic children with those in a group of mentally challenged control subjects. Results indicated a 23% reduction in levels of DHA in the children with autism, resulting in significantly lower levels of total omega-3 fatty acids—without a reduction in total omega-6 fatty acids.11 The reasons for the lower concentrations of DHA are not well understood, but several hypotheses have been proposed. It may be that children with autism have insufficient dietary intakes of DHA, may have less ability to convert ALA to DHA, and/or have an enhanced breakdown of DHA in cell membranes.11
Dietary Intake of Omega-3s—Are Children Getting Enough?
The growing evidence in support of a positive relationship
between omega-3 fatty acids and many health outcomes in
children (and adults as well, for that matter!) have fueled the realization that relatively recent changes in the diet of Americans has dramatically changed the type of fat consumed, resulting in a significant shift in the ratio of omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids, thereby potentially changing the fatty acid composition of the brain. Omega-6 fatty acids such as linoleic acid (LA) are abundant in our diet, with a major source coming from vegetable oils, which tend to be much higher in omega-6 than omega-3 fatty acids. In the days of hunters and gatherers, the dietary ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids was believed to be in the range of 1:1 to 2:1. However, over the past 50–100 years, intakes of omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA and EPA have declined while the intake of omega-6 fatty acids has increased, such that the ratio of omega-6s to omega-3s is now estimated in the range of 15:1 to 25:1.12 This ratio is important because
the omega-6 fatty acid LA and the omega-3 fatty acid ALA
compete for the same enzymes that convert ALA to DHA
and EPA. Therefore, it is believed that both excessive intakes of omega-6 fatty acids and lesser amounts of omega-3s may actually diminish DHA availability in the brain. In addition, the decreased overall intake of omega-3s means less DHA and EPA are available for incorporation into brain-cell membranes. Both the American Dietetics Association and Dietitans of Canada recommend an increase in dietary intakes of omega-3 fatty acids13, and recommended intakes for omega-3 fatty acids to support optimal neuronal functioning and overall health of children have been established by various internationally recognized organizations.14 Although specific dietary requirements for DHA and EPA in children have not been established, the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine has established a recommended intake for total omega-3 fatty acids as ALA (see Table 1, Page 18)15,
with DHA and EPA contributing 10% toward the recommended
intake. For example, the recommended intake of
total omega-3 fatty acids for children ages 4–8 is 900 mg a
day, of which 90 mg may come from DHA and EPA.
18 Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Children’s Health Shaklee Health Sciences
Table 1: Recommended Adequate
Intakes (AI) for Omega-3 Fatty Acids in
Infants and Children*
Life Stages Age (Mg/Day)
Infants 0–12 mos 500 mg
Children 1–3 yrs 700 mg
Children 4–8 yrs 900 mg
Children 9–13 yrs 1,200 mg
Note: 10% of the above amounts (AI values) may be in the
form of DHA and EPA.
*Source: Food and Nutrition Board, USA, 2005
Given these recommendations, the question remains as to
whether children are consuming adequate amounts of
omega-3s, especially DHA and EPA. Based on the most
current national nutrition survey findings, most infants and children are not. Data collected from the 1999–2000
National Health Examination Survey estimated that
intakes of DHA among children 11 years old and younger
to be only 20–40 mg a day16, and in a recent study
published in the Journal of Nutrition, researchers quantified the omega-3 fatty acid intake in a group of Canadian children ages 4–8. The mean dietary intake of DHA in these children,according to this study, was only 54 mg per day.17
Because of the ever-growing and emerging body of literature
demonstrating the importance of omega-3 fatty acids in
proper growth and development, early brain and visual
development, and possibly in childhood conditions such as
ADHD and autism, this dietary gap should be readily filled
with an increased consumption of foods rich in DHA such
as fish and seafood. However, increased fish consumption
poses additional concerns. Nearly all fish and shellfish
contain traces of mercury—and some may contain other
environmental pollutants that may pose harm to an unborn
baby or to a young child’s developing nervous system.
In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advise women who
may become pregnant, pregnant women, nursing mothers,
and young children to avoid some types of fish and eat only
fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury.18 Concerns about the safety of fish consumption coupled with inadequate dietary intakes suggest that most children would benefit from taking a high-quality dietary supplement that uses a pharmaceutical-grade, highly purified fish oil to deliver omega-3 fatty acids, including plenty of DHA to support the proper development and function of the brain and eyes.
2004 EPA and FDA Advice For: Women Who Might Become Pregnant Women who are pregnant, nursing mothers, and
young children 1. Do not eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel, or tilefish because they contain high levels of
mercury. 2. Eat up to 12 ounces (two average meals) a week
of a variety of fish and shellfish that are lower in
mercury.
a. Five of the most commonly eaten fish that are low in mercury include shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, and catfish.
b. Another commonly eaten fish, albacore (“white”) tuna, has more mercury than canned light tuna. So when choosing your two meals of fish and shellfish, you may eat up to 6 ounces (one average meal) of albacore tuna per week.
3. Check local advisories about the safety of fish
caught by family and friends in your local lakes,
rivers, and coastal areas. If no advice is available,
eat up to 6 ounces (one average meal) per week of fish you catch from local waters, but don’t consume any other fish during that week.
4. Follow these same recommendations when feeding fish and shellfish to your young child, but serve smaller portions.
19 Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Children’s Health Shaklee Health Sciences
Key References
1. McCann JC, Ames BN, Is docosahexaenoic acid, an n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid, required for development of normal brain function?
An overview of evidence from cognitive and behavioral tests in humans and animals. Am J Clin Nutr 2005;82:281-95.
2. Eilander A. et al. Effects of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation
on visual and cognitive development throughout childhood: A review
of human studies. Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids
2007;26:189-203.
3. Information obtained 3.11.09 from: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/.
4. Stevens LJ, Zentall SS, Abate ML, Kuczek T, Burgess JR. Omega-3 fatty
acids in boys with behavior, learning and health problems. Physiol Behav.
1996;59(4/5):915-920.
5. Vancassel S et al. n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation reverses
stress-induced modifications on brain monoamine levels in mice. J Lipd Res.
2008;49(2):340-348.
6. Sinn N, Bryan J. Effect of supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids
and micronutrients on learning and behavior problems associated with child
ADHD. Dev Behav Pediatr 2007;28:82–91.
7. Stevens L, Zhang W, Peck L, Kuczek T, Grevstat N, Mahon A. EFA
supplementation in children with inattention, hyperactivity and other disruptive
behaviours. Lipids 2003;38:1007-1021.
8. Voigt RG, Llorente AM, Jensen CL, Fraley JK, Berretta MC, Heird WC.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of docosahexaenoic acid
supplementation in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Journal
of Pediatrics 2001;139:189-196.
9. Busch B. Polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation for ADHD? Fishy, facinating,
and far from clear. J Dev Behav Pediatr 2007;28:139-144.
10. Information obtained 3.11.09 from: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/
overview.htm.
11. Vancassel S. et al. Plasma fatty acid levels in autistic children.
Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids 2001;85(1):1-7.
12. Simopoulos AP. Evolutionary aspects of diet, the omega-6/omega-3 ratio
and genetic variation: Nutritional implications for chronic diseases. Biomed
Pharmacother 2006;60(9):502-507.
13. American Dietetics Association. Position of the American Dietetics
Association and Dietitians of Canada: Fatty acids J Am Diet Assoc.
2007;107:1599-1611.
14. Information obtained on 3.13.09 from: www.issfal.org.uk/
recommendations-of-others.html.
15. National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition
Board. Dietary reference intakes for energy, carbohydrate, fiber, fat, fatty acids,
cholesterol, protein and amino acids. 2002-2005.
16. Ervin RB, Write JD, Wang C. et al. Dietary intake of fats and fatty acids
for the United States population: 1999-2000. Advanced Data. Vital and Health
Statistics, Number 348, 2004.
17. Madden SM, Garrioch CF, Holub BJ. Diet quantification indicates low
intakes of (n-3) fatty acids in children 4 to 8 years old. J Nutr. 2009;139:528-
532.
18. http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/fish/advice/.
N.
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