Omega 3 Supplements for Kids - Tasty Liquids, Gummies, & Caps

Omega 3 For Kids: Essential Nutrients for Healthy Growth and Development

Essential fatty acids (EFAs), most notably omega 3 fatty acids, are critical for healthy growth and development in kids. The term “omega-3's” refers to a group of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids that the body cannot produce, so they must be supplied via diet. There are three main types of omega-3s: alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). ALA can be found in certain plant foods like flaxseed, walnuts, and canola oil, while DHA and EPA are present in fish and fish oils. Omega-3's can also be supplied via supplementation, such as fish oil, krill oil, vegan algae oil, and others.

Physiologically speaking, omega-3 fatty acids play a crucial role in many aspects of kids health, including fetal development, brain function, heart health, and immunity. Omega-3s are especially critical to cognitive function since 60% of our brain is composed of fat. DHA, in particular, is fundamental for children’s growth and development and plays an essential role in the formation and function of the central nervous system and brain and eye development and function. Research has demonstrated that high blood levels of DHA in the mother and breast milk directly correlate with better growth and development of the brain and visual system in children. Moreover, other studies have shown a significant positive association between high blood levels of DHA and cognitive ability, including comprehension and vocabulary acquisition, in children from 12 months to 12 years of age.

The Vital Benefits of Omega 3 for Kids' Health and Development

• Enhances Focus, Concentration & Learning Ability
• Helps Improve Symptoms Of ADHD
• Improves Brain Function
• Promotes Better Sleep
• Supports Growth And Development

Identifying Which Children Benefit Most from Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Given that omega-3 fatty acids are one of the four most common nutritional deficiencies in North America, it makes sense to recommend daily supplementation for kids and adults alike, to promote optimal health and help prevent a range of conditions associated with low omega-3 status. For children in particular, omega-3 supplementation can help improve focus and concentration and optimize brain development and cognition. Supplementation can also help mitigate symptoms of ADHD like hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and difficulty focusing and improve memory, attention, learning, retention, and impulse control. Children with sleep difficulties and symptoms of mood disorders may also benefit from daily omega-3 supplementation.  

Choosing the Right Omega-3 Supplements for Your Child

Kids omega-3 supplements are available in a range of delivery formats, from capsules, softgels, chewable, gummies, and liquid drops, in all sorts of potencies. Omega-3 supplements also come in different ratios of EPA to DHA. Kids omega-3's typically feature a higher concentration of DHA to promote brain development and cognition. 

Final Insights: Embracing Omega-3s for Your Child's Optimal Health

Daily needs for omega-3 fatty acids will vary according to age and gender. ALA, however, is the only omega-3 fatty acid with specific dosage guidelines. According to the National Institutes Of Health (NIH), the recommended daily dose of ALA is as follows:

Age          Male       Female    Pregnancy   Lactation

Birth to

6 months*  0.5 g       0.5 g

7–12

months*     0.5 g       0.5 g

1–3

years**      0.7 g       0.7 g

4–8

years**      0.9 g       0.9 g

9–13

years**      1.2 g       1.0 g

14–18

years**      1.6 g       1.1 g         1.4 g           1.3

*As total omega-3s

**As ALA

Most studies indicate that a dose between 1200 – 1,300 mg of combined DHA and EPA per day benefits children.