Omega 3 is an essential nutrient that helps promote brain development, improve vision and strengthen the immune system for children. However, many parents wonder how long they should supplement Omega 3 for their children to achieve the best results. The following article will answer this question in detail, helping you plan to supplement this nutrient scientifically and reasonably.

Supplementing Omega 3 for children is always a concern of many parents, because this is an essential fatty acid that helps support comprehensive development. So how to provide Omega 3 properly and safely for children? How long should Omega 3 be supplemented for children?

Benefits of Omega 3 for children

There are still many parents wondering about the specific uses of Omega 3 for the comprehensive development of children. Here are the outstanding effects of Omega 3 supplementation for children:

• Supports cardiovascular and circulatory health: Omega 3 has the effect of increasing good cholesterol (HDL) levels in children’s bodies, while reducing triglyceride and bad cholesterol levels, helping to protect the cardiovascular system from an early age.
• Developing the brain and cognitive skills: Adequate Omega 3 supplementation helps children improve cognitive abilities and enhance eye-hand coordination skills. At the same time, it supports improving concentration, developing social skills, increasing IQ and helping children learn more effectively.
• Improving vision: Omega 3 plays an important role in protecting the eyes, helping to improve vision and prevent eye-related problems in young children.

Omega 3 plays an important role in protecting the eyes

• Support memory and thinking: Omega 3 fatty acids are concentrated mainly in the brain, helping to enhance memory, stimulate creative thinking, and bring outstanding development in the learning process.
• Support the treatment of psychological problems: Some studies show that Omega 3 can help reduce symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. When used in combination with prescription drugs, Omega 3 helps improve the psychological state of people with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Although there is no official conclusion, Omega 3 supplementation can also actively support the treatment of depression.
• Improve skin condition: Children with light allergies or skin problems such as psoriasis may see improvement when supplemented with Omega 3 through fish oil.
• Strengthen the immune system: When children lack Omega 3, their immune system can be weakened, increasing the risk of disease. In addition, children’s skin can easily become unhealthy and vulnerable. Omega 3 supplementation not only helps protect overall health but also improves children’s tolerance to harmful environmental factors.

How long should children be supplemented with Omega 3?

Omega 3 supplementation for children is not just a short-term task but needs to be done over a long period of time to ensure that children have a foundation of health and comprehensive development. So, how long should children be supplemented with Omega 3? According to nutrition experts, parents should start supplementing Omega 3 for their children from birth and maintain it continuously until at least the age of 15.

How long should children take Omega 3 supplements?

During infancy and the first years of life, children’s organs, especially the brain and nervous system, are developing rapidly. DHA – an important component of Omega 3, plays an indispensable role in building the structure and function of the brain, supporting the formation of neural synapses and promoting vision development.

The first three years of life are the time when the brain develops at the fastest rate, creating millions of neural connections that help children absorb and learn quickly. Omega 3 supplementation during this period is considered the “golden time” to optimize children’s brain and physical development. If Omega 3 is deficient during this period, children may have difficulty concentrating, memorizing or developing comprehensively.

After the age of 3, although the rate of brain development gradually decreases, Omega 3 supplementation is still very necessary. Therefore, experts recommend that parents should maintain Omega 3 supplementation until at least the age of 15 – the stage when the brain and other important organs are still in the process of completion. To ensure effectiveness, parents should choose quality Omega 3 sources from natural foods such as fatty fish, walnuts, chia seeds or age-appropriate supplements. Continuous and proper supplementation not only helps children develop physically and intellectually but also creates a solid foundation for future health.

Continuous Omega 3 supplementation helps children develop physically and mentally.

Is it okay to supplement Omega 3 in excess?

In addition to wondering how long children should be supplemented with Omega 3, many parents ask: “Is it okay to supplement Omega 3 in excess?”. According to doctors and experts, supplementing Omega 3 beyond the necessary level can be harmful to children’s health. When children consume too much Omega 3, the body’s organ systems may experience some problems such as:

• Digestive disorders: Children are at risk of experiencing symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea or constipation, affecting the digestive system’s ability to absorb nutrients.
• Impaired blood clotting ability: Excess Omega 3 can affect the blood clotting process, making children susceptible to prolonged bleeding or more blood loss when injured.
• Irritation reaction: Some children may experience symptoms such as rash, redness, or swelling when consuming Omega 3 in excess of the allowed level.

To avoid potential harm, parents need to follow the dosage of Omega 3 supplements as directed by their doctor, ensuring adequate supply to support the child’s comprehensive development without negatively affecting their health.

Consuming too much Omega 3 can cause digestive disorders

Hopefully the above article has helped you answer the question “How long should Omega 3 be supplemented for children?”. Don’t forget to consult your doctor to have the best health care plan for your baby!