Thursday, February 5, 2009

Ask the nutritionist?

What do you think about fish oil supplements?

Fish oils contain long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids; most important are the omega-3 fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA and docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA which is believed to play a central role in the development of the infant brain and nervous system. Studies have consistently found that children with A.D.H.D. have low blood levels of DHA, and a small number of recent clinical trials have reported improvements in children’s learning and behavioral problems after fish oil therapy.

A study in Oxford-Durham Britain, published in the journal Pediatrics in 2005, reported remarkable improvements in reading and spelling among children treated with omega-3 fatty acids. The Mayo clinic reports that fish oil supplements also can help lower blood pressure and triglycerides. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fish-oil/NS_patient-fishoil

Most health care providers suggest 1,000 milligrams of combined DHA and EPA daily for a child, and up to 2,000 milligrams for an adult, but they say they adjust the amounts depending on weight.

Some experts recommend higher doses to get the full therapeutic effect, but there are risks. Fish oil is a blood thinner and can interfere with clotting and cause excessive bleeding, which can be dangerous. Doctors say anyone with a family history of a bleeding disorder should avoid it, so ask your doctor first before taking any supplement.

2 comments:

  1. I should really should take omega 3 supplements. They are also really good for people with epilepsy such as myself. Great advice, great blog,

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  2. I am a big fan of fish oil. While pregnant I took it religiously and feel that Peaches has a higher capacity for learning and thinking abstractly at a younger age.

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