Hello Gracelimps,
The products listed in the clarification look good, but I?m
betting you are interested in Omega-3 fatty acids and not cod-liver
oil. Cod liver oil is high in vitamins A and D, but has relatively
small amounts of Omega 3 fatty acids. Some children are being given
Omega-3 oils for various conditions from Chrohn's disease to ADD. I
would also recommend discussing giving your child fish oil with
her/his pediatrician first; to be sure you are giving the proper
dosage for her age and weight, and that it will not be interfering
with anything else she is taking.
?No need to start a fish oil supplement before this - he gets all the
healthy fat he needs from breastmilk. If mom doesn't eat fish
regularly, then it would be good to take some sort of Omega-3
supplement, like flax seed oil, or DHA.?
http://www.askdrsears.com/faq/pr6.asp
?Some people think that omega 3 fatty acids might help improve
concentration in children, but there isn't enough evidence to come to
any firm conclusions about this.
Some metals and pollutants, such as mercury and dioxins, can build up
in fish. Mercury doesn't build up in the oily parts of fish (the parts
used to make fish oil), but other pollutants can. A survey by the
Ministry for Agriculture Fisheries and Food in 1998 found relatively
low levels of mercury in fish-oil supplements.?
Talk to your GP before giving your child any supplements. If you do
decide to give him or her supplements, check they are suitable for
your child's age group and always follow the instructions on the
label.
We should all try to eat at least two servings of fish a week,
including one serving of oily fish, as part of a healthy balanced
diet. Oily fish, such as salmon, sardines and mackerel, contain more
omega 3 than white fish. Fresh, frozen and canned fish, fish fingers
and fish cakes can all count towards our weekly servings of fish. But
remember that fish in breadcrumbs can be high in fat, especially if
it's fried.
You shouldn't give your child shark, swordfish or marlin. This is
because mercury can build up in these fish and high levels of mercury
can affect a child's developing nervous system.
You should also avoid giving more than two portions of oily fish a
week to girls, or four portions to boys. This is because of the
dioxins and PCBs these fish can contain. There is no need to limit the
amount of other fish your children have, apart from avoiding shark,
swordfish and marlin.?
http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/asksam/agesandstages/childrenandbabies/#A219765
?But how to get this benefit? Dieticians say: put diet first. Children
should be stuffed with sardines and tuna before parents turn to
supplements. But there are worries about the high level of toxins in
some fish, as well as in cod liver oil capsules, so either route isn't
exactly straightforward.?
Additionally, this page mentions Evening Primrose oil, for eczema. I
too gave it to my 2 year old granddaughter (mixed in her oatmeal) and
it did help her skin.
?My daughter had constant eczema as a baby, terrible tantrums at two,
and poor attention when she started at nursery. She seemed "all over
the place". A friend told me her doctor had suggested evening primrose
oil capsules for her eczema. I tried them on my daughter. The change
was miraculous; her skin cleared up, and she was much more attentive
and calm. I don't know how common this response would be, so I
hesitate to recommend it. I can only say what worked for her.?
http://education.independent.co.uk/schools/article310920.ece
Flax Oil
=========
Have you thought of switching to flax oil? It does not have an
odor and can easily be mixed into your child?s plate of spaghetti,
macaroni and cheese, mixed vegetables, and yogurt smoothies, cooled
puddings, etc. This should work if you are supplementing your child?s
diet with oils for conditions other than arthritis or elevated
triglycerides.
?While fish oil has been shown to have anti-inflammatory activity, an
anti-inflammatory effect of flaxseed oil has not been demonstrated
conclusively.?
http://yalenewhavenhealth.org/library/healthguide/en-us/Cam/topic.asp?hwid=hn-2845003
Consider Flax Oil instead
http://www.omega3sealoil.com/Chapter5_2.html
?Nutritionally, all of the fatty acids necessary for correct metabolic
function and optimal health can be metabolized from the essential
fatty acids found in flaxseed oil, while this would be physiologically
impossible with fish oils. Perhaps most telling is the cost of fish
oils as compared to flaxseed oil to achieve the same therapeutic
result. You could expect to pay $70.00 for fish oils versus $12.00 for
organic flaxseed oil for a month's supply.
Best of all, no longer does meeting these important dietary needs have
to be associated with initiating a gag reflex from taking countless
capsules or swallowing a tablespoon of cod liver oil. The
fantastic-tasting, delicate, nutty flavor of high quality, organic
flaxseed oil facilitates a culinary delight when added to your
favorite salad dressing or your favorite foods. (Do not heat or cook
with flaxseed oil.)
As is true with all polyunsaturated fats andoils products, flaxseed
oil is sensitive to harsh manufacturing, packaging and storage
methods. As a result, there are only a few brands available that could
truly be considered healthful. Use the summary below to facilitate
your efforts in obtaining high quality flaxseed oil.?
http://www.barleans.com/literature/flax/21-nothing-fishy.html
?It's important to remember that many dietitians and nutritionists
think that the problem is one of balance. We are simply not eating
nearly enough omega-3s in proportion to other fats. Omega-3s are found
in cold water fish, organic eggs and flaxseed oil.
Unfortunately, some of the best fats, such as flaxseed oil and fish
oils, can't be used for cooking because they respond badly to high
heat. If you must cook with high heat, you're better off with
something such as peanut oil, coconut oil or even lard, which are far
more stable. Of course, cooking with low heat would be the best of
all.?
http://www.ivillage.co.uk/dietandfitness/nutrition/fat/qas/0,,246_157990-2,00.html
?Flaxseed oil is derived from the hard, tiny seeds of the flax plant.
It has been proposed as a less smelly alternative to fish oil. Like
fish oil, flaxseed oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, a type of fat
your body needs as much as it needs vitamins.
However, it's important to realize that the omega-3 fatty acids in
flaxseed oil aren't identical to what you get from fish oil. Flaxseed
oil contains alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), while fish oil contains
eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The
effects and potential benefits may not be the same.
Flaxseeds contain another important group of chemicals known as
lignans.Lignans are being studied for use in preventing cancer.
However, flaxseed oil contains no lignans.1
Requirements/Sources
Flaxseed oil contains both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are
essential to health. Although the exact daily requirement of these
essential fatty acids is not known, deficiencies are believed to be
fairly common.2 Flaxseed oil may be an economical way to ensure that
you get enough essential fatty acids in your diet.
The essential fatty acids in flax can be damaged by exposure to heat,
light, and oxygen (essentially, they become rancid). For this reason,
you shouldn't cook with flaxseed oil. A good product should be sold in
an opaque container, and the manufacturing process should keep the
temperature under 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Some manufacturers combine
the product with vitamin E because it helps prevent rancidity.?
http://www.womenandinfants.com/body.cfm?id=388&chunkiid=21715
?We are always asked our opinion of flaxseed oil as a source of good
omega-3 fatty acids. We always respond that it is okay, but that
taking fish oil is a much better way to increase the levels of
eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA), the LCPUFA
that we really need.
Flaxseed oil has high levels of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3
fat. When consumed ALA enters the fatty acid pipeline and is
desaturated and elongated by the appropriate enzymes until it is
partially converted to EPA then to DHA. So flaxseed oil does increase
the levels of EPA and DHA, but, we think, not nearly as much as does
fish oil, which already contains the preformed EPA and DHA we need.?
http://blog.proteinpower.com/drmike/archives/2005/09/fish_oil_versus.html
===============================
Getting Children to take oils:
===============================
Your idea of making an ice cream with oil is a good one! Read this:
?That's where the ice cream comes in. According to Rudolph, it's a
perfect vehicle: As Mary Poppins put it, a spoonful of sugar makes the
medicine go down. Omega-3 oils are highly sensitive to light, heat,
and air. When exposed to any combination of the three for significant
duration, the oils become malodorous. That's why fish -- especially
old, dead fish -- smell so nasty. Ice cream, on the other hand, is
kept cold, dark, and isolated in a package. ``It's usually kept in the
dark. It's packaged pretty tightly, and it's kept frozen. I put two
and two together and said, 'Why not try to get these omega-3s into
something that is very palatable that will also help its storage
properties?'''
DELICIOUS AND NUTRITIOUS? Over 18 months, Rudolph and a team of eight
researchers worked to create a low-fat ice cream fortified with fish
oils. They learned that vanilla was not sufficiently strong enough to
mask the fish flavor and that orange creamsicle best hid the oceanic
aroma. He also determined that the ice cream had to be
quick-pasteurized at temperatures of 180 degrees Fahrenheit for only
15 seconds -- enough to kill most bacteria but not hot enough to
unravel the chemical bonds of the fish oil. Rudolph settled on putting
250 milligrams of fish oil into a 100-gram serving (about three
ounces) of ice cream, about one-quarter of the daily recommended
amount of fish oil, according to many health experts.?
http://hdlighthouse.org/see/diet/fishoilicecream.htm
?A good tip for disguising flax oil is to put it in yoghurt smoothies
or on sandwiches or toast (it should never be heated).?
http://www.familiesonline.co.uk/article/articleview/1180/1/52
Smartfish:
==========
?Nature's Harmony has taken the molecular distilled fish oil from
deep, cold water fish (Anchovies, Herring/Sardines and Mackerel) and
put it into a fun colorful ketchup-like pouch. The product is creamy
and similar to the consistency of pudding. They've added a slight
orange taste as well that isn't overpowering. Each pouch contains a
good amount of Omega 3's (630mg - 340mg EPA and 225mg of DHA) and
Omega 6's (50mg).
Up until recently I had been giving my boys (four and seven years old)
daily fish oil in the traditional supplement format. It was a
challenge. I had avoided the liquid formats because of taste and
smell and the wonderful "fish burps" (which always seemed to happen
when talking face-to-face - go figure). When I introduced the
SMARTFISH product to them they took to it quickly. My oldest asked
for more (the packaging recommends 1 sachet per day), but was told he
would have to wait until the next day. He was disappointed but the
next day he actually asked me for his SMARTFISH. ?
http://www.npicenter.com/anm/templates/newsAProductReviews.aspx?articleid=12742&zoneid=66
Smart Fish
?Scrumptiously smooth and creamy. Children hate taking fish oils (not
to mention grown ups)! It's the smell and the oily taste, no matter
how many flavourings are added. Yet research shows that Omega 3 is
critical for developing brains, and for learning, concentration and
behaviour (not to mention skin, heart and mood) - recently highlighted
on TV by Professor Winston in 'Child of Our Time'. Smartfish® provides
the highest quality Omega 3 fish oil, from the cleanest waters in the
world (South Pacific), in a delicious, orangey cream that children
actually enjoy. What's more, it comes in a great sachet, so there's no
capsule or oil to swallow, and children love squeezing it straight
into their mouths. Smartfish® is sweetened with natural xylitol, which
is actually good for the teeth, and natural orange flavouring oil.?
This company does ship outside of the UK, but you will likely incur
slightly higher charges.
http://www.auravita.com/products/AURA/HINA13506.asp
Coromega
========
This product does have an orange taste, which you say your child
does not like. However, it may be easier to disguise the orange taste
than a fish taste! (Ovaltine added? Add Coromega to vanilla pudding or
a smoothie?)
??I love this product because it is so easy to get my son to take it.
He loves the taste and compared with trying to disguise the taste of
flax oil, this is a dream come true. I am taking it also and plan on
using it for the entire family.- B.S., Roslyn Heights, NY?
http://www.coromega.com/04Testimonials/Test.html
?Coromega?s exclusive production process transforms the finest quality
fish oil into a creamy, delicious pudding-like emulsion. We?ve made
the experience of taking a fish oil supplement a pure pleasure by
absolutely eliminating any fishy aftertaste. And, by adding a
delicious orange flavor. The Coromega process and formulation,
developed in Norway, was over 10 years in the making and is patented
worldwide. This complex process assures the stability of the fish oil
and the potency of the ingredients.?
http://www.thegoodearth.net/.sc/ms/dd/1072556930405007/9/nc/ee/894/Coromega
http://www.coromega.com/index3.html
http://www.drugstore.com/qxp57571_333181_sespider/coromega/omega_3_dietary_supplement_orange_flavor_packets.htm
=======================================
Dietary Sources of Omega 3 fatty acids:
========================================
Perhaps you could interest your child in eating shrimp, tofu and
squash as a dietary source of Omega 3 fatty acids. You could grind up
walnuts in a blender and have walnut butter and jelly sandwiches! Use
canola oil instead of corn oil in cooking.
These pages list foods high in Omega 3 fatty acids:
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=84
?Organic milk, and particularly organic cheese, is a good source of
Omega-3, with a ratio of 1:1 with Omega-6. [15] Non-organically
produced milk may contain about two-thirds less Omega-3. One UK study
showed that half a pint of milk provides 10% of the recommended daily
intake (RDI) of Omega-3, while a "matchbox sized piece of organic
cheese will give you up to 88%". [16]?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega-3_fatty_acid
How can I increase my child's levels of essential fatty acids?
Oily fish are the best source of essential fatty acids. These include:3
· salmon
· mackerel
· fresh tuna (not tinned)
· trout
· sardines
· pilchards
· whitebait
· herring
· kipper
However, they are also available in:3
· nuts (eg walnuts and peanuts)
· seed oils (eg linseed oil, rapeseed oil, soya oil)
· green leafy vegetables (eg spinach)
· red meat
http://www.bupa.co.uk/health_information/html/health_news/110505fishoilbrain.html
?A heaped tablespoon of freshly-ground seeds on their cereal or
sprinkled on soups or in salads every day. The magic formula is mix
half pumpkin, sunflower and sesame with half linseeds, store in a
glass jar in the fridge then grind fresh in a coffee grinder before
serving.
AND
Supplement essential fats. This could either be a fish oil (which
contains omega 3 fats) or a seed oil (which contains a blend of omega
3 and omega 6 fats). These are available as liquids or capsules from
health food shops. Try Essential Omegas (with both omega 3 and 6 oils)
or, for young children who can?t swallow, Smart Fish. It tastes
great.?
http://www.patrickholford.com/content.asp?id_Content=1365
Additional Information on Fish Oil
==================================
http://www.omega3sealoil.com/Chapter5_1.html
http://ific.org/publications/factsheets/omega3fs.cfm
This page supplies a recommended dietary intake of Omega 3 fatty acids
for all ages:
http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/othernuts/omega3fa/
I hope this has helped you out! Your child is fortunate that you have
her best interests at heart. (With all due respect, children that take
a bottle to bed have increased risk of tooth decay, so don?t let
trying to get oil in her diet promote that habit!)
If any part of my answer is unclear, I will be happy to assist you
further before you rate. Simply request an Answer Clarification, and I
will respond as soon as possible.
Sincerely, Crabcakes
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