Omega 3 Supplementation for Young Children

Jamal submitted the following question regarding Omega 3 supplementation:

“For how long can I use omega 3 and is it safe for 2 yr. autistic having diet from gluten & casein?”

While I cannot comment on the potential safety of any particular product for a particular child, I do know that many people use omega 3 fatty acids as routine supplementation.  I know of children under one year of age taking omega 3 fatty acid supplements, and some infant formulas are now including the beneficial DHA and ARA found in omega 3 fatty acids to the nutrients included.  Many doctors, nutritionists, naturopaths and other health-care professionals educated in nutritional supplementation recommend Omega 3 supplementation for both adults and children. 

Our son who is recovering from autism began taking cod liver oil when he was 18 months old.  And, we began giving cod liver oil to our other son when he was only a few months old, reducing the adult dose to a dose appropriate for his weight. 

Remember, each child is unique, and questions regarding supplementation should be discussed with your child’s doctor and a certified nutritionist.

And of course, it is important to choose a high-quality, pure source of Omega 3 supplementation.  I believe fish oil or cod liver oil (which also contains vitamins A and D) are the best sources of Omega 3 fatty acids.  I do not use flax seed oil because many flax seed oils spoil quickly and easily and are rancid by the time they reach the consumer.  When selecting a fish oil or cod liver oil supplement, be sure that they are produced in a manufacturing facility that utilizes stringent independent and in-house laboratories to test the raw materials at critical points in the manufacturing process.  If the purest ingredients are not utilized, some omega-3 fatty acids may contain lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, PCBs or other contaminants. 

For more information, see my post “Omega 3 Fatty Acids – Feeding the Brain”