Omega 3 fatty acids are considered an essential nutrient that we must obtain from our diet because despite all the requirements our body draws from Omega 3, our body is not equipped to produce its own. Getting Omega 3 from your diet requires dedication to eating certain types of foods regularly, such as fish and other seafood (especially cold-water fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, herring, and sardines). Omega 3 can also be found in food sources such as algae, nuts and seeds (such as flaxseed, chia seeds, and walnuts): plant oils (such as flaxseed oil, soybean oil, and canola oil) or fortified foods.
Most of us cannot consume the amount of Omega 3 rich foods from our diets and opt to take an Omega 3 supplement, especially to prevent, heal and reduce conditions related to Omega 3 deficiencies. But when it comes to giving Omega 3 supplements to our children, we often put the brakes on. There is certainly enough evidence to giving children Omega 3 supplements, so perhaps the hesitation may be the form of the supplements and the taste that is assumed to accompany fish supplements. However, the types and forms of Omega 3 supplements have advanced dramatically over the years and consumption of this super supplement not only for kids but for the whole family warrants another look.
Can Omega 3 Benefit Your Child?
The need for Omega 3 and children begins much earlier than you may realize. It starts before birth while the fetus is growing. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, omega 3 may improve your baby's health and development. Omega 3 fatty acids are the critical building blocks of fetal brain development & the development of the eyes' retina. Omega 3 is required to help establish the baby's developing immune & central nervous system. Omega 3 fatty acids also play a role in the length of gestation (preventing premature birth) & preventing depression in moms after birth.
During pregnancy, the baby's brain's growth begins to accelerate during the second half of pregnancy. This brain development rate remains high during the first year of your child's life & continues to grow for several years, making it very important to ensure mom and growing baby enough Omega 3 during the growth phases. Omega 3 supplementation for your child is also obtained through breast milk, so it becomes even more critical for the mother to consume fresh ocean fish or supplement with Omegas during the baby's breastfeeding term.
As your child grows, Omega 3 fatty acids continue to help improve behaviour & improve sleep. When a child is deficient in Omega 3, supplementation can positively affect children's cognitive impairments and behavioural problems (such as ADHD). There is also a positive association with Omega 3 supplements with listening, comprehension and vocabulary skills.
Supporting studies also show that Omega 3 may offer powerful protection against depression, stress, anxiety, nervousness and reduce the aggression stress response in children. Omega 3 supplementation in young children also shows remarkable improvement in reducing children's allergies and respiratory illnesses.
Getting Your Kids to Take an Omega 3 Supplement -
Sea-licious – Big Food for Little Brains
Research is overwhelmingly in support of Omega-3 nutrition, but getting your children to consume Omega 3 supplements may not always be easy. Finding the right Omega 3 supplement that provides a balanced Omega 3 and tastes good has been one of the founding principles for the Sea-licious omega oils.
Sea-licious is a BC-based brand founded by a husband-and-wife team, one a nutritionist and mom-of-three, the other, a renowned naturopathic physician. Both are passionate about products sourced from the highest quality raw materials available to, in turn, provide consumers with the results they're looking for.
Sea-licious Kid's is an omega-3 that kids love to take!
Sea-licious Cotton Candy is 100% kid-approved! Registered dietitian, mom and formulator of Sea-Licious, Karlene Karst, created this formula for her three little ones, Luca, Matteo and Capri. When the boys said "yummy" and "more," Karlene knew her formula would make it easy for moms everywhere to ensure their children receive the benefits of Omega-3, giving them the healthy head start they deserve.
This tasty-Omega 3 contains EPA and DHA (1,500 mg) plus Vitamin D (400 IU) in a unique and natural flavour that kids love. The taste of Sea-licious Cotton Candy is made using a steam-distillation process that captures the essence of burnt sugar. This chemical-free process draws out the fragrant, sweet molecules without any sugar residue. A daily yummy spoonful has your kids saying more, please! Karla also added astaxanthin, the most powerful algae antioxidant that gives Sea-licious its signature red colour. Rest assured, Sea-licious is sugar-free, non-GMO, gluten-free and contains all-natural ingredients.
- Sea-licious Tropical Colada was inspired by Hawaii for its smell, feel and energy.
- Sea-licious Raspberry Lemonade, The smell and taste of sweet, delicious raspberries.
- Sea-licious Tangerine Lime Step into a citrus grove for your daily dose of omega-3.
- Sea-licious Natural Maple Natural sweetness from the maple tree.
- Sea-licious Active Omega-3 +MCT Oil, The ultimate synergistic blend of high potency omega-3, vitamin D, astaxanthin and pure MCT oil.
