What has food got to do with it? Part 3

OMEGA-3/ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS/ FISH OIL: The Health Benefits in children.

Diet and eating habits from early childhood impact our lives in every aspect. In this section, I will discuss the importance of Essential fatty acids in young children .
We want our children to be little healthy geniuses to the best of our abilities. All these can be achieved with discipline and commitment and many diseases can be kept at bay. To develop healthy eating habits takes a lot of discipline , but once the habit is formed, it usually sticks. Longevity and sharp mental capacity have been linked to healthy eating habits and diet.

Omega -3 fatty acids, also called Fish oil or Essential fatty acids are found in fish. Salmon is an excellent source of it which is also easily available, although expensive. I will discuss the controversy over farm raised Salmon and Salmon caught in the wild, later in this write up.

Essential fatty acids play a role in reducing levels of bad cholesterol and increasing levels of good cholesterol.

The benefits of these essential fatty acids cannot be over emphasized. In children, they are shown to be essential for the following;

* Brain Development

*Eye Development

*Healthy Joints

*Mental Clarity

*General Health, Growth, Development

* Heart Health

The above are all VERY IMPORTANT health benefits for your children. It is imperative you make sure that your children get these benefits through supplementation or diet. With the controversy over farm grown Salmon and wild Salmon, many people shy away from buying Salmon, but Omega-3 fatty acids can be obtained in soft capsule forms, chewable soft gel and even liquid forms. Directions for use are clearly displayed on these products.

During childhood days, I remember being made to take Seven seas Cod Liver oil which I seriously hated. It did not taste very good at all and then having it mixed in food was one way of making sure it was consumed. Our ancestors, in their great wisdom gave children chunks of smoked fish for snacks and treats. Those were loaded with essential fatty acids,protein and fiber versus the SUGAR BULLETS called candy people feed their children today coupled with fast food and junk food and artificial drinks loaded with sugar, which set them up for obesity, Dental decay, metabolic syndrome and the busload of problems associated with these conditions.

The Cod Liver oil of childhood days was viscous and had a lousy taste. Nowadays, they have good tasting fish oil products made by Seven seas and other companies like Nordic naturals. These products are available in health food stores and vitamin shops.

Children's nutritional needs change as they grow. It is essential that they get the right amount of Omega- 3 fatty acids for proper development, physically and mentally, especially in this day and age when fast food and other junk food are thrown at children around the clock on television, radio and on Billboards. Supplementation with Omega-3 fatty acids is of utmost importance for children.

Next, I will discuss the benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids in adults and their role in healthy aging.

TO BE CONTINUED.