Natural Pediatrician Discusses the Importance and Benefits of Omega-3s

Hello Mamas,
 
Omega-3s are extremely important not only for your heart but especially for the brain and infant development. It has also been proven to help ADHD, depression, and anxiety.
 
The brain is composed of 60% fat, this means your brain needs a continuous supply of dietary fat for its health and wellbeing. It particularly depends upon essential fatty acids (EFA) which are the building blocks of fat. Two of the most important fatty acids are EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). These are the main two fatty acids that make up Omega-3. The other fatty acids in Omega-3 is Alpha-linolenic Acid (ALA). Omega -3 can’t be made by the human body like other types of fats that it needs. EFA and DHA can be found in mainly fish such as; mackerel, salmon, herring, and sardines. They can also be found in Algae oil for those of you who don’t eat meat. ALA is primarily found in flaxseed, chia seeds, nuts (especially walnuts), vegetable oils, leafy vegetables, and some animal fat, especially in grass-fed animals.
 
Findings show omega-3 fatty acids may help to: lower blood pressure and heart rate, improve blood vessel function, lower triglycerides (blood fat levels), slow the development of plaque in the arteries, reduce the chance of abnormal heart rhythm, reduce the likelihood of heart attack and stroke, and lessen the chance of sudden cardiac death in people with heart disease.
 
Omega-3s are crucial for brain growth and development in infants. Studies have shown that getting enough omega-3 during pregnancy and early life can be linked to higher intelligence, better communication and social skills, fewer behavioral problems, decreased risk of developmental delay, decreased risk of ADHD, autism and cerebral palsy.
 
Numerous studies have displayed that omega-3 supplements can reduce the symptoms of ADHD these include but are not limited to: less inattention, less hyperactivity, less disobedience, less hostility, better spelling, better memory, better learning, and less sleeping problems. Recently, researchers observed that fish oil supplements were one of the most promising treatments for ADHD.
 
When picking out fish to get Omega-3 from you want to look for wild caught fish. I like to get my fish from Vital Choice: Wild Seafood and Organics. They offer nutrient-dense sustainable seafood and marine-source nutritional supplements. All their seafood is wild caught and ethically sourced. Also make sure you do not consume high mercury fish too often, this is why I refer sardines so much. They are low in mercury but high in Omega-3.
 
Some of my favorite Omega-3 supplements for families include:
  • Nordic Naturals DHA for Infants
  • Nordic Naturals Arctic Omega Lemon 1000 mg
  • Barlean’s Omega-3 Lemon Creme
You can purchase it through my site with Fullscript. https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/kenneth-akey
 
-Dr. Kenneth Akey