Is Fish oils safe for children ?
Fish oils and other Omega-3 supplements are generally considered to be beneficial for adults. Many studies have shown that Fish oil supplements could help in brain development, reduce triglycerides and reduce risk of heart deceases. Some research shows that Omega 3 could help in relieving depression and could help in a variety of other health concerns.
However, there are very few studies have been done on how safe is fish oils for children. Since Omega-3 helps in brain development and heart health, the common perception is, Fish oils are good for children as well. However, while the omega-3 in Fish oils are great for children, various toxins and chemicals in the fish oils could be dangerous for them in the long term. An adult body may be able to live with the amount of toxins in the fish oils, but children's body may not be able to do so. This is why Fish oil consumption become a concern for children in spite of the benefits offered by the Omega 3 fatty acids.Benefits of Fish oil vs risks
Many researches in this field show at various extends that fish oils help in brain development and reduce risk of heart problems. But how many of our children suffer from these problems? If they can get healthy, natural food, do they need fish oil supplements that could potentially contain dangerous toxins?
The answer is YES and NO.
YES: Ultra purified fish oils can be given to children at low amounts. I give 500mg fish oils to my children, even though some health channels recommend up to 2000mg fish oils per day to children and 3000mg to adults. I believe my children are getting adequate amount of vitamins required for their growth from the healthy fruits and vegetables they eat everyday. In addition, we use the Organic, Omega-3 Eggs as part of food. So, this combination should give necessary amount of supplies to the children.
NO: Never give the cheap Omega-3 fish oils that you get from retails store to children. The toxins in those cheap fish oils could outweigh the benefits of Omega-3 that your children can get from those. Always stick with IFOS certified fish oils, which are ultra purified to remove the toxins and chemicals to a human safe level.Is fish oils safe for children
So, here is my conclusion. Ultra purified fish oils are safe for children if given in small amounts. Make sure you read the fine print and compare the toxins and chemical contained in multiple fish oils before you buy one. Choose the one with lowest amount of toxins, PCBS and other chemicals.What if a fish oil companies do not disclose the level of toxins ?
The answer is simple. Do not trust the unknowns when it comes to the health of your little ones. Contact the manufacturer and ask for the details for the specific batch of product you are buying. If they do not provide you one, continue looking for your choice.
Do not trust statements like 'Purified to remove toxins'. This does not mean much when it comes to the health of your children. They may have done some purification, but how much toxins are still remaining is the question that need to be answered.