NutraOrigin's Kids Omega Shake includes the highest quality, ultra-purified, molecularly distilled fish oil providing essential Omega-3 fatty acids, and contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. The summary below will give you a better understanding of how Kids Omega Shake supports your child’s health.
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Fulfilling Dietary Needs Omega-3s are a type of essential fatty acids — meaning they’re essential to get through the diet because the body cannot manufacture them. Since Omega-3 fats in their body-ready form (EPA and DHA) are most commonly found in fish, and since kids aren’t big fish eaters, it’s no surprise that many children are not getting sufficient amounts.
For example, a recent study found that on average, Canadian four to eight-year-olds consumed only 31.5 mg total of EPA/DHA daily. That’s about one third the daily intake recommended by the Institute of Medicine (90 mg). According to the researchers, only 22 percent of the children studied received adequate amounts of EPA and DHA through the diet. (1) The group Dietitians of Canada recommends a much higher intake of 351 mg EPA/DHA per day. Using that standard, only 10 percent of the kids studied were getting enough. Sadly, American kids are only doing slightly better. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the average child consumes just 50 mg of EPA/DHA per day.
One teaspoon of Kids Omega Shake provides 360 mg EPA/DHA per day, ensuring your child’s Omega-3 requirements are met.
Cell membranes Every cell in the human body is surrounded by a membrane. The cell membrane serves the obvious function of enclosing all of the inner parts of the cell, much the same way the skin encloses the inner parts of the body. However, it also acts as a sort of gatekeeper for the cell, allowing nutrients to enter and cellular waste products to exit. Additionally, cell membranes play a key role in cell-to-cell communication — important for learning, remembering, and responding.
When the cell membrane is fluid and flexible, nutrients enter the cell and waste products exit it easily, and cells can pass information to each other efficiently. However, when the membrane is hard and stiff, the exchange of nutrients and waste becomes more sluggish. In addition, cells have a harder time communicating with each other.
Certain fats promote hardening of the cell membrane, such as saturated and trans fats. (2) Others, such as EPA and DHA, ensure the membrane’s fluidity and flexibility.* (3) They are like the oil that keeps cells running smoothly.
Healthy Vision Just as DHA is concentrated in brain tissue, it is also found in high amounts in the cell membranes of the retina (4) — the part of the eye that receives images through the lens and converts them into electric signals so the brain can make sense of them
In addition to its theorized role in neurological development, DHA is also thought to be necessary for retinal development and function.* This has led researchers to believe DHA plays a role in healthy vision.*
Brain Function The human brain is made up of 60 percent fat, (5) 25 percent of which is DHA. (2) The fact that DHA is so prevalent in the brain — particularly in the cell membranes — suggests that it plays a role in brain function.*
It is theorized that DHA is important for neurological development.* During the last trimester of pregnancy, DHA accumulates in the developing baby’s brain. It is also naturally present in breast milk, which is why this essential fatty acid is routinely added to infant formula.*
Language and Learning Skills Given their role in brain function, it makes sense that Omega-3 fatty acids may be helpful for improving language and learning skills in children.*
One small pilot study tested the effects of a supplement providing 135 mg EPA and 90 mg DHA daily on kids with difficulties in school. After three months, all of the children showed significant increases in learning and language skills.* The results were especially impressive in the categories of receptive language, requesting, labeling, intraverbals, imitation, play skills, social interaction, and generalization.* More research is needed; however, the results of this initial pilot study are promising. (6)
Another larger study on Omega-3 fatty acids and learning, known as the Oxford-Durham Trials, used a higher dose of Omega-3s. Children were divided into two groups: one group received a fish oil supplement, providing 759 mg EPA/DHA, while the other took a placebo. After three months, kids who got the fish oil showed significant improvements in reading, spelling, and behavior compared to those who were on the placebo.* (7)
Two teaspoons of Kids Omega Shake (double the normal dose) provide 740 mg EPA/DHA.
Behavior Several studies have shown that kids who are rowdy and have trouble focusing tend to have lower levels of Omega-3 fatty acids in their blood than children who are well-behaved and attentive.* (8,9,10) One study even found that kids with behavioral issues break down essential fatty acids more quickly than average children, which may explain their tendency toward fatty acid deficiency.* (11)
A recent study on children with behavioral and functional difficulties tested the effects of making several key changes in the kids’ lifestyles — including adding functional activities, replacing sugary drinks with water, ensuring a daily portion of animal protein, and administering an essential fatty acid supplement providing 135 mg EPA and 90 mg DHA. After five months, the researchers found these lifestyle changes significantly improved functional and behavior issues in 17 out of 20 children.* (12)
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- Madden S, et al. Direct diet quantification indicates low intakes of (n-3) fatty acids in children 4 to 8 years old. J Nutr. Mar 2009;139:528-532.
- Perlmutter, David and Coleman, Carol. The Better Brain Book. New York: Riverhead Books, 2004 (111).
- Stillwell W, Wassall SR. Docosahexaenoic acid: membrane properties of a unique fatty acid. Chem Phys Lipids. 2003;126(1):1-27.
- Higdon, Jane. Essential Fatty Acids. Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University. Updated April, 2009. http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/othernuts/omega3fa/index.html
- Chang CY, Ke DS, Chen JY. Essential fatty acids and human brain. Neurol Taiwan. 2009 Dec;18(4):231-41.
- Patrick L, Salik R. The effect of essential fatty acid supplementation on language development and learning skills in autism and Aspergers syndrome. Autism-Asperger’s Digest. 2005;36-37.
- Richardson AJ, Montgomery P. The Oxford-Durham study: a randomized, controlled trial of dietary supplementation with fatty acids in children with developmental coordination disorder. Pediatrics. 2005 May;115(5):1360-6.
- Stevens L, et al. Essential fatty acid metabolism in boys with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Am J Clin Nutr. 1995 Oct;62(4):761-768.
- Mitchell EA, et al. Clinical characteristics and serum essential fatty acid levels in hyperactive children. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 1987 Aug;26(8):406-11.
- Colter AL, Cutler C, Meckling KA. Fatty acid status and behavioural symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adolescents: a case-control study. Nutr J. 2008 Feb 14;7:8.
- Ross BM, et al. Increased levels of ethane, a non-invasive marker of n-3 fatty acid oxidation, in breath of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Nutr Neurosci. 2003 Oct;6(5):277-81.
- Suliteanu M. Functional and nutrition interventions with foster-adopt children using the HANDLE approach: An outcome study. Adoption Today. 2006;38-39.
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