Shaklee Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Children’s Health

June 13, 2010 - PRLog -- Omega-3 fatty acids, also known as polyunsaturated fatty acids, are essential to human health but cannot be made by the body. For this reason, they must be obtained from the foods we eat. Good sources of omega-3s include fatty fish and certain plant foods, including olive oil, flaxseed, and walnuts. There are three major types of omega-3 fatty
acids consumed in foods and used by the body: alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The body converts ALA to EPA and DHA, which are the two omega-3 fatty acids used most readily by humans.

However, because this conversion is fairly inefficient (less than 5%), dietary consumption of both DHA and EPA is highly recommended—especially in young children in order for them to meet their significant need for these important omega-3 fatty acids. Research continues to validate the important role these omega-3 fatty acids play in normal growth as well as in the early development of a child’s brain and eyes. Early Brain and Visual Development DHA and EPA are best known for their beneficial role in protecting adults’ cardiovascular health and in lessening inflammatory conditions. However, emerging science suggests that DHA in particular plays an important role in early brain and visual development in growing infants and children. In fact, DHA is the most abundant omega-3
long-chain fatty acid in the brain and, during the last trimester of pregnancy and continuing throughout the first few years of life, it is rapidly incorporated into nervous tissue of the retina and brain.1 Supplementation of infant formula with DHA has been shown to aid growth, development, and vision in premature infants, and prenatal and infant deficiencies of DHA have been shown to lead to brain abnormalities.1 Cognitive and Behavioral Function Beyond early development and throughout life, DHA is believed to continue to influence brain function by playing an important role in brain-cell membrane structure,
brain-cell receptor activity, and the production of neurotransmitters and other brain chemicals.2 This has lead to considerable interest in the potential role DHA may
have on cognitive development and behavioral function during childhood. A number of research studies have examined the relationship between the levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the body and a variety of childhood disorders, including autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is one of the most common childhood disorders and it affects 5%–10% of school-age children, or 4.4 million youths ages 4–17. Symptoms include difficulty staying focused and paying attention, difficulty controlling behavior, and a general inability to sit still or tendency to be hyperactive.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimate that 2.5 million of these children
receive some type of medication to treat this disorder and, to make matters worse, this condition can continue throughout life, with as many as 70% of children diagnosed with ADHD suffering from the disorder into adolescence and adulthood.3 Studies suggest that children with ADHD may have low levels of certain essential fatty acids (including DHA) in their bodies. In a clinical study of nearly 100 boys, those with lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids demonstrated more learning and behavioral problems—such as temper tantrums and sleep disturbances—than boys with normal omega-3 fatty acid levels.4 In animal studies, low levels of omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to lower the concentration of certain brain chemicals—such as dopamine and serotonin—related to attention and motivation.5 Randomized clinical trials assessing the effects of omega-3 supplementation on symptoms of ADHD have been published. Some studies indicate supplementing a child’s diet with a combination of long-chain fatty acids including
DHA and EPA may be beneficial for reducing symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity when compared with a placebo6,7, while other studies have found no benefit.

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Shaklee Distributor Wayne LaFrance Associates Shaklee Gold Ambassador Distributor.
Global Shaklee Distributor of Shaklee supplements, Shaklee vitamins and Shaklee products. Shaklee Corporaton is the leading nutrition company in the U.S. All natural