What are the symptoms and side effects of omega-3 deficiency in children?

In a healthy diet, omega-3 fatty acids must have a special place. Since omega-3s play an important role in children’s development, it is best to become more aware of their benefits so that your child does not experience the effects of a deficiency in this nutrient. Join us to learn more about the symptoms of omega-3 deficiency in children and its side effects. Do you think all children need to take omega-3 pills?

Different types of omega 3

Omega-3s are called fatty acids that are involved in many aspects of human health such as fetal growth, brain function, heart health and the immune system. For this reason, omega 3 is called essential fatty acids that the human body alone can not produce it. Omega 3 has three main types called linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). ALA is found in plant foods and EPA and DHA are found in fatty fish and seafood. In general, the best sources of omega-3s are fatty fish such as salmon.

Omega-3 capsules and supplements containing this substance can also be used to compensate for the omega-3 deficiency in the body. Fish oil, krill oil and algae oil are some of the most popular omega-3 supplements for the body.

Properties and benefits of omega 3 for children

Before examining omega-3 deficiency in children, we will first point out the benefits of this nutrient for children. According to studies, the benefits of omega-3 for children are as follows:

Reducing asthma symptoms in children

Asthma is a chronic disease that can affect both children and adults. Symptoms of asthma, depending on its severity, can be accompanied by coughing, wheezing, chest pain, and breathing problems. Some studies have shown that omega-3 supplements can be significantly effective in relieving asthma symptoms.

Reduce the symptoms of hyperactivity by consuming omega-3

ADHD is a condition that impairs attention and concentration and is associated with hyperactivity. Many studies have shown that taking omega-3 pills can reduce the symptoms of ADHD in children. In this way, children will have better attention, concentration and memory, and as a result, they will face less learning difficulties. Therefore, omega-3 deficiency in children should be taken seriously.

Improve sleep quality

4% of people under the age of 18, including children, suffer from sleep disorders. Some studies have found that children with low levels of omega-3s have more sleep disorders than others. Some studies have even shown that if a pregnant mother consumes enough omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy, her baby will have good sleep quality after birth.

Improves brain function

Getting enough omega-3s in your diet can improve children’s brain function and help them have better memory and learning ability. Also, by consuming omega-3, the child may show better behavior in terms of behavior and mood. Several studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids prevent depression and mood disorders in children.

Omega 3 and hypothyroidism

The skin, eyes, cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract, brain, nerves, reproductive system, and organs are directly affected by the thyroid gland. Recent studies show that consuming enough omega-3s can reduce the symptoms of hypothyroidism in children and adults.

Symptoms of omega-3 deficiency in children

If you do not include fish in your child’s diet at least twice a week, it is unlikely that your child will be deficient in omega-3s. The following symptoms may occur:

• Skin, hair, and nail disorders: In this case, the child may experience dry skin, brittle hair, and thinning nails. Rash and dandruff can also be symptoms of omega-3 deficiency.
• Feeling tired and having sleep disorders
• Lack of concentration and attention, memory impairment, nervous irritability and anxiety
• Joint pain and leg cramps: Omega-3 has anti-inflammatory properties and its consumption may be effective in preventing and treating joint problems. Of course, this is more effective for adults.
• Reduce the symptoms of allergies, asthma and eczema
• Accumulation of a lot of mass in the ear
• Vision and dry eye disorders

Therefore, the effects of omega-3 deficiency in children can be associated with any of the symptoms listed above. Because omega-3s can help control cholesterol levels in the body, adults with heart problems should also pay attention to providing this nutrient to their bodies.

Omega-3 dose in children

The omega-3 intake should be according to the table below so that omega-3 deficiency is not observed in children:

The best brand of omega 3 pills for children

If you are looking for omega-3 pills, syrups or capsules for children, the following may be a good option:

Omega 3 Plus Gelatin Capsules: Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Decosahexanoic Acid, Vitamin A, Vitamin E and Vitamin D3 are the ingredients of this supplement that can be used by both children and adolescents. This capsule can be effective in improving the function of the heart, brain, visual system and physical and mental development of children.

Eurovital Max Omega 3 Syrup: This syrup provides 1090 mg of DHA and 1240 mg of EPA daily for the body and can be used by both children and adults. In addition to omega-3, this product also contains vitamins A, D, and E.

Side effects of high omega-3 intake in children

Omega-3 in the recommended amounts often does not cause any side effects. Never increase the dose omega-3 to compensate for omega-3 deficiency in children as the following side effects may occur:

• Bad Breath
• Headache
• Heartburn
• stomach discomfort
• Diarrhea
• Vomit

Concluding remarks

In this article, we introduced you to the symptoms of omega-3 deficiency in children and its complications. Be sure to include omega-3 rich sources such as fatty fish in your child’s diet to avoid deficiencies in this nutrient. If you find out that your child has omega-3 deficiency after consulting a doctor, be sure to take omega-3 supplements to make up for the deficiency.