Omega-3 & Cod Liver Oil

Children´s Omega-3 & CLO

What about omega-3 fish and cod liver oil products aimed at children?

There has been intense interest recently in the exciting indications that higher intakes of omega-3s may have significant benefits in development and function of the brain and also the eye – particularly in children. These benefits can be summarised as follows:

a) There would appear to be significant potential benefits to both mother and baby by the mother increasing omega-3 intake during pregnancy and lactation. DHA appears to be most important here and advised intake should be at least 1000mg DHA per day during this period.

b) Evidence is building for omega-3 supplementation during childhood from 6 months to 12 years with benefits including improved cognitive function and performance, and perhaps some effects in lowering hyperactivity and moderating behavioural patterns.

More research is necessary to prove these effects, but the fact that most of the population including children have a deficiency of intake of omega-3 fatty acids makes the case for supplementation very strong, particularly as many children will not easily eat oily fish.

Supplements Compared has assessed the omega-3 products aimed at children on the basis of providing the following:

1) Level of EPA/DHA

Although any additional omega-3 intake is better than none, products should provide at least 150mg DHA/EPA per daily dose to children aged 6 months – 2 years, and 450mg DHA/EPA per daily dose to children aged 2 years and above.

2) Product acceptability

Products are acceptable to children bearing in mind, they cannot take standard capsules easily and often do not like the taste of liquid oils. For this reason, many childrens omega-3 products are chewable fruity soft capsules which are generally very pleasant.

However, reaching a reasonable dose of DHA/EPA with these products is often difficult at the recommended dose.

3) Value for money

The assessment has again been based on price paid per 1000mg DHA/EPA. Also it should be noted that liquid products taken from a spoon often provide as much omega-3 as TEN capsules so provide great value. Finding a palatable oil that children will tolerate is often the trick but it is worth trying.  

How have omega-3 oil products for children been assessed in Supplements Compared?

As with the general omega-3 products, the assessment for children’s products is based upon total content of EPA/DHA. This simple primary parameter will predict the ability of the product to deliver the benefits outlined above and is the most important criterion. Once the ability of the product to deliver the expected benefits has been assessed, the value for money of the product is evaluated on the basis the price paid to deliver 1000mg of EPA/DHA.