Reprinted Articles

There is an old wives tale that says fish is good for our brains and cod liver oil will keep us healthy. Apparently those old wives may be onto something.

Although we are all trying to cut down our fat intake, recent research shows that not all fats are bad for you. In fact, many of us are seriously deficient in some very important fats call the essential fatty acids. These oils play such crucial roles in developing the immune system and in brain functioning, that a shortage of them can lead to problems such as poor concentration, hyperactivity, dyslexia, and co-ordination problems. In many cases correcting this deficiency can lead to dramatic improvements in the child’s performance.

EFA deficiencies, which are very common, can also cause problems such as eczema, dry skin, dandruff and excessive thirst.

The two main types of EFAs are: the Omega 6 series, found in evening primrose oil and starflower oil, and the Omega 3 series, found in oily fish like sardines, herring, and trout. Some nuts also contain them. The Omega 6 series affect our immune systems. Women who use evening primrose oil find that it helps with pre-menstrual symptoms.

Most modern diets are seriously lacking in the omega 3 series. Within this series are two oils that are especially important. DHA, the building block of the brain, makes up as much as 20% of the brain’s dry weight. Clearly, unborn and young children should get enough of DHA - but it is rarely included in infant feeding formulas.

EPA, the other essential fatty acid, is crucial for brain functioning. Vitamins B6, C, and zinc must be present to make full use of it — our diet is desperately short of these essential nutrients, and some of the processed foods we eat, such as margarine, interferes with their use!

If your children are having learning problems or show other signs of EFA deficiency, then you should think about increasing the Omega 3 oils that they take in. The natural way would be to serve more fish. Unfortunately, our waters are becoming so polluted that fish isn’t always the health food we once thought it to be. It might be a better idea to buy good quality supplements. They don’t cost too much and are readily available at the better chemists and health food shops.

So what do you look for?

Aim for a daily intake of 1/2 to 1g of EPA. This will normally require a daily total of about 1 - 3g of fish oil. Avoid fish (cod) liver oils - they are too high in vitamin A.

Also use a general vitamin and mineral supplement, or look for brands that include vitamins B6 (30 mg/day) and zinc (15mg a day) with the oil (e.g. Cardioace).

Choose capsules rather than bottles - they keep better. Make sure they include Vitamin E as a preservative.

Use a reliable high quality brand, with fish caught in the deep oceans (not farmed).

Take them daily for 3 months. If after that there is no noticeable improvement, then you can stop the experiment. Very occasionally the oils might give some problems with loose bowels but otherwise are quite safe. Obviously if your child has any specific medical conditions, especially problems with metabolism, you would be wise to consult your doctor first.

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