Children’s Health

Omega-3 fats are considered essential fatty acids, as they are critically important for long-term optimal health for both children and adults. Unfortunately, foods rich in omega-3 fats are largely absent in the standard American diet, thus children are often deficient in this nutrient. 

Omega-3 fats, DHA in particular, are needed by every cell in the body and are vital for healthy brain and vision development.* Fatty fish are the most plentiful dietary source of DHA and EPA; however, these fish can sometimes contain high levels of mercury and other heavy metals, and environmental contaminants like PCBs; and for this reason parents have often been advised to limit children’s fish intake.

You might be surprised to learn that the single richest source of DHA in nature is not fish or algae, but human breast milk. Mother Nature, in her wisdom, knows that when building a human brain, the most amazing structure in the known universe, a diet rich in DHA is critically important. This is true during the prenatal months when the fetus is developing as well as during infancy years for the baby. Most Americans these days are deficient in DHA and for these individuals, an omega-3 supplement is essential.

We believe that the most compelling stories in nutrition science today are omega-3 fats and vitamin D. First, scientific evidence points that both nutrients are commonly deficient in American children. At the same time, both are easily treatable with supplements such as vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids. We feel strongly that most children be considered for omega-3 fatty acids and for vitamin D supplementation. Of course there will be exceptions, and parents should check with their pediatricians.

A fascinating, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study [gold-standard for studies] had children aged 8-16 consume 1 gram/day of omega-3 mixed in a fruit drink.  While both groups saw improvement in behavior after 6 months, the length of the treatment, researchers followed up at the 12-month mark where parents reported a 41% reduction in externalizing behaviors such as acting-out, aggression and impulsiveness and a 68% reduction in internalizing behaviors such as withdrawnness, loneliness and anxiousness. The children's self-reported assessment scores showed a significant reduction in proactive and reactive forms of aggression. The significant declines for these forms of aggression were only noted in the omega-3 group.