Requirement of omega -3 for brain development

Aug 22
11:25

2012

Sharad Gaikwad

Sharad Gaikwad

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When we are born we are all born with 100 billion brain cells. We form new connections while we grow and the rates at which the connections are formed are higher when we are younger.

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Brain development takes place in the early years of child’s growth. Parents have realized this and they are making brain healthy choices even in the choice of food that they offer to their growing children. Omega -3 essentially fatty acids are critical for a child’s cognitivesensesand these cannot be generated by their body and can be only supplemented by the food intake. Fish,Requirement of omega -3 for brain development Articles nuts and seaweed are good omega – 3 sources, children are not too fond of these foods.

Deficit of omega-3 are lined to behavioural and psychological disorders in children such as ADHD and dyslexia. Therefore many parents are turning towards supplements for their children. EPA and DHA is a high quality supplement made available for children in tasty chewable options so children can get their necessary supplements. EPA has anti-inflammatory properties which make it a good choice for auto immune conditions and diseases like asthma, eczema among others. It is also known to reduce cortisol which is a hormone that is released during stressful conditions. DHA is a great choice to prevent and treat high blood pressure and heart related problems including high cholesterol. DHA protects neurons and is essential for improvement of memory.

Omega-3 fatty acids not only improve brain and memory development but reduce risk of heart disease, stroke and other stress related disorders in adults. So while they are a good supplement for brain development in children, adults can reduce risk of heart disease by intake of omega-3 fatty acids. They raise HDL’s which is good cholesterol and reduce triglycerides which are linked to heart disease and stroke. Eating heart healthy fish is the best option for adults since apart from the omega-3 fatty acids; there are other nutritional benefits that come with it. However,if you aren’t a keen fish eater, but are concerned about heart disease it might be useful to take fish oil capsules. If you already have heart disease, it is best to seek advice from your medical practitioner, before taking the supplement.

It is always beneficial to see what type of fish is been used in the supplement. Shark, king mackerel have heavy contaminants and should be avoided. Sardines and anchovies are best, and so is salmon as a source of omega-3. Capsules made of cod liver while being rich in DHA and EPA, also has vitamin D which is good for bones and helps in overall immune system development. It is always advisable to seek the help of a medical practitioner or pharmacy to guide you into purchasing the right product. However nothing is better than eating a helping or two of tasty fish for better Brain development and protecting your heart, a better option any day than popping Fish oil tablets. Intake of such supplements can indeed improve and amplify your child’s brain development.