The benefits of fish oil have been known for a long time. It’s just that in the post-Soviet space more than one new generation of pediatricians and parents has grown up, who are more familiar with the terms “Aquadetrim” and “Cholecalciferol” than the concept of “fish oil”. In the sunless period, namely, autumn-winter-spring, modern doctors recommend that children take vitamin D3. But why did everyone so unanimously forget that the prevention of the fight against rickets from time immemorial, mankind has been using fish oil?
Very important is fish oil for children. And first of all, due to its naturalness. The high content of omega-3 complex of polyunsaturated fatty acids (polyunsaturated fatty acids) in fish oil makes it one of the most valuable products for the functioning of organs and systems of the human body such as the brain, cardiovascular and nervous systems. They are indispensable, since the human body is not able to produce them on their own, and in this case they can only come with food.
Numerous studies show that the high content of omega-3 complex in fish oil improves the functioning of brain cells, activates the formation and development of its tissues. And this means that there is a formation of intelligence and enhanced development of the child at an early age.
Children exposed to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, when exposed to the omega-3 complex they are taking, show significantly better results in cognitive activity and discipline. This is because an insufficient amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids entering the body leads to hyperactivity, anxiety, outbreaks of irritation, impulsivity and sleep disturbances. Fish oil for children with this diagnosis is a real salvation from fussiness and inattention.
But we must not forget that in addition to PUFA, fish oil contains a huge amount of vitamins, and its main asset is vitamins A and D, they can be absorbed as fat-soluble only with fats. Vitamin A contributes to the growth and development of the child's body, has a beneficial effect on vision and normalizes the condition of the skin. Vitamin D is very rare in nature, only in small quantities in eggs, butter and milk. But a large amount is found in the liver of ocean fish, which is the source of fish oil. In a very small amount, vitamin D is able to produce the human skin itself, but this is only 20-25% of the required rate. Therefore, in order to normalize phosphorus-calcium metabolism and prevent the development of rickets, vitamin D is prescribed for children in the autumn-winter-spring period. But fish oil for children is not only the prevention and treatment of rickets and vitamin deficiency, but the solution to problems of a much wider range. It contains the possibility of eliminating acute and chronic respiratory diseases, accelerated wound healing and solving many other problems. Studies comparing different population groups have shown that Greenland residents, who consume a lot of oily fish, have practically no cardiovascular disease and atherosclerotic changes. Better than the other groups, there were indicators of blood pressure and pulse. But is this not the most evidence-based argument in favor of consuming fish oil? Therefore, it should, first of all, be prescribed to pregnant women and nursing mothers.
Although fish oil for children should be used after consulting your pediatrician, there are still some regimens that prescribe it. So, a child under the age of 1 year should be given it from four weeks of age, increasing from 3-5 drops to 1 teaspoon, one or two teaspoons should be consumed at 2 years old, at the age of 3-6 years for a dessert spoon. Children over 7 years old and adults - 1 tbsp. two or three times a day. Among modern drugs, there is such a dosage form as fish oil for children in capsules. She copes with the problem of dosage and motivation for taking this drug as a child.
As a rule, the intake of fish oil should be carried out 2-3 months with a break between courses. You can, if necessary, repeat it again after a month. Well, of course, the dosage form in which fish oil is currently sold in capsules for children will be more acceptable for our modern pace of life. And not only for them!