The message rings out all over town on the TV, billboards, flyers and the radio, ‘back to school.'  It heralds the end of summer and the need to get our kids' brains back into gear after the holidays. 

As bags are packed, uniforms pressed, books collected and lunches made, how can we further support the learning process for our kids throughout the long school year?  Perhaps a little ‘turbo-boosting brain food' is in order.

Essential fatty acids or EFAs are the best way to ‘turbo boost' your child's brain.

EFAs are amongst the most crucial nutrients for children, as most are deficient.  EFAs are considered ‘essential fats' because they are required for good health but cannot be produced by our bodies. The body requires these beneficial fats to support all bodily systems. According to research the most beneficial EFAs are the omega-3s eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

It was once believed that the brain was fully developed at birth. While it is true that most of the brain cells are formed by this time, advances in research have enabled us to see that the brain continues to form after birth. EFAs have been shown to play a key role in the health of the brain. Did you know that the brain is made up of 60 per cent fat? - and up to half of that fat is omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA.

So what does that all mean? Children's brains need a steady supply of EFAs to perform at their best. DHA is uniquely important to the nerve and brain cells and has shown to improve learning, memory and cognition in children.  Infants require DHA for proper brain, eye, immune and central nervous system development.  The omega 3s found in cold water fish such as sardines, anchovies, and cod are a great food source of the EFAs they need, but due to concerns about environmental toxins (such as mercury), experts recommend a purified fish oil supplement as the ideal source of EPA and DHA.

Here are a few examples of what fish oil can do:

• Fish oil linked to improved learning, memory & spelling ability

South African researchers followed 355 children aged 6-9 to see what effect fish oil supplements had. The results showed children's verbal, learning and spelling ability improved, they retained information better and were less likely to take sick days.

• Fish oil improves attention span, learning and behaviour
  The University of South Australia conducted a 15 week study on 132 children aged 7-12 who had ADHD.  The children given fish oil capsules were calmer and less impulsive and their behaviour, attention and vocabulary all improved.

One way to make sure your children get the omega-3s they need is to use fish oil supplements designed specifically for their developing brains.

Nordic Naturals Children's DHA is made entirely from Arctic cod liver oil, rich in the omega-3 DHA.  This formula is essential for the proper development of the brain, eyes, nervous and immune systems.  Supplementing with Nordic Naturals Children's DHA is a safe, pure and effective way to improve your children's health, and give them a nutritional head start in their mental, physical, and social well-being.

Even better, children love the fresh strawberry taste of Nordic Naturals Childrens DHA, which make them easy to chew or swallow. It is available in small chewable soft gels or in liquid form.

Try introducing some of these products to your children's daily diet:

Children's DHA soft gels                     available in packs of 90's, 180's & 360's

Children's DHA liquid                          available in 119ml or 237ml bottles

 

How much is enough?

Generally fish oil liquid can be given to a child 8 months and up and capsules from 3 years and up.  Recommended dose is included on the label.

To learn more about published scientific research showing how omega-3 essential fatty acids boost children's brains, health and well-being, see www.omega-research.com.

For New Zealand enquiries and for information on stockists of Nordic Naturals please call NaturalMeds on 0800 439631 or visit www.naturalmeds.co.nz