Fish oil is good for the brain and may help to treat learning disorders and ADHD symptoms in children.
Fish oil has long been hailed as healthy for the heart and the eyes. Supplementing the diet with fish oil can help maintain normal vision and greatly reduce the risk of heart attacks. It is an excellent source of omega-3s and may also be prescribed for children to improve their overall mental health. Symptoms of certain respiratory disorders like asthma, have considerably reduced in children due to intake of fish oil supplements.
Other benefits of this oil extracted from the tissues of oily fish are given below:
Improves Brain Function
Omega-3s in the oil help in the normal functioning of the brain. Higher intake of the oil is found to boost cognitive function and improve thinking skills. As fish oil supports brain development, it may help children with learning disorders.
Increases Concentration Power
Lack of concentration in any activity can hinder the progress of the child. Many children also complain about poor concentration level while studying. However, intake of this oil in the prescribed dosage can boost learning and concentration in children.
Improves Memory
It is found that children with weak memory may benefit by taking fish oil supplements. Short term memory loss decreases a child’s ability to remember information about important events. This can also affect his ability to learn new things. However, research has shown that a diet that includes fish oil can increase memory function in children.
Relieves Symptoms of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
A child diagnosed with ADHD shows acute lack of inattentiveness while studying or performing any activity. This is a behavioral disorder in which the children are hyperactive and find it difficult to focus, while performing any task. However, fish oil has emerged as a ray of hope for children with ADHD. In a study, school going children were put on fish oil supplements for 3 months. Results were encouraging, as the children displayed increased attention span while doing any task. Also, there was a significant positive change in their behavior and learning skills.
Improves Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a disorder that interferes with a child’s intellectual ability. This learning disorder, considerably restricts his ability to read, write, and talk properly. The good news is that this children with learning disability may respond to supplements rich in omega-3s. Research suggests that the intake of fish oil capsules may improve reading and writing skills of children with dyslexia.
Fish Oil Dosage for Kids?
To reap benefits of this oil, giving it in small doses is recommended. Depending upon the age of the child, appropriate dosage of the oil may be prescribed. For instance, children who are less than 3 years old, the recommended dosage should not be more than 0.8 g/day. Children in the age group of 4-8 years should get around 0.9 g/day. Children in between 9 to 13 years of age are generally given a small dose of 1.2 g/day.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.