Fish Oil, Omega-3, DHA....oh My

As moms, we constantly wonder if we are giving our children the best start in life. One current
topic for moms is DHA, a component in foods that is critical to brain development. So many
food products claim to be better because they have added DHA. But what does this mean to us?

Omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA are essential - they are not made by our bodies, so we must get through through our diet.  Research shows that children whose mothers took fish oil supplements during pregnancy
have higher intelligence and a lower risk of mental deficiency or cognitive delay. These children
also differ in tranquility and balance. 

DHA alone is insufficient because other omega-3s (primarily EPA) also play important roles. A good source of both DHA and EPA is fish oil. Fish oil provides the quick energy that improves signal transmission between brain cells, and assists the brain in the storage and retrieval of information. In short, omega-3s are essential in your child’s brain development.

Unfortunately, nearly 80% of children in North America are deficient in omega-3s. Other than obesity, this may be the biggest nutritional problem in America. Children deficient in omega-3s can display hyperactivity, impulsivity, restlessness, tantrums, impaired cognitive ability, and sleep disturbances.

I try to get omega-3s in my boys' diets through grass fed beef, grass fed milk and wild
caught fish.  Yet, children can be notoriously picky eaters, especially when it comes to fish. Without
nutritional supplements, they are just not getting enough DHA or EPA. Finding a safe and
effective supplement is critical, since many fish oil supplements can be tainted with mercury. Many
multivitamins containing DHA do not have a concentration that is effective. Do your research
and find a company that you can trust, for my family that company is Usana Health Science. Adding this essential nutrient into your child’s diet is one easy step that we all can take to ensure the health and well being of those we have the honor of raising.

Market Day

Does your school participate in the Market Day fundraising?  Ours does.  I've had my first look through the catalog and here are my top healthy choices.

Frozen Veggies that are on the Environmental Working Group's Clean 15 list and have no additional ingredients:

• Asparagus spears
• Extra Young Tiny Peas
• Sweet Corn

Frozen Broccoli

Not on clean 15, but not a dirty dozen either. 

30 Count String Cheese

I am constantly on the border about buying cheese that is not organic.  I only buy organic milk.  If you don’t mind non-organic dairy these seem like a good choice.  I have not purchased myself and the reviews seemed mixed.  Ingredients: Pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, and enzymes.

Tropicana Orange Juice Singles

100% Juice, No pulp,

Oranges are neither clean 15 or dirty dozen

I think since they are in cartons instead of plastic they would be bpa free

9-Grain Orzo Blend

Whole grains and veggies, though not “clean” veggies

Wild Alaskan Grilled Salmon

I as hopeful about this one but saw no icon for the “no preservatives, artificial flavors or colors and no trans fat" category.  The ingredient list includes: cultured dextrose, corn syrup solids, salt, spice extractives, sugar, dehydrated garlic, dehydrated onion, maltodextrin, spices, paprika, natural flavor, sodium phosphates.

Children's Vitamins.....Ut-oh

Here is a great example about why you should be choosy about what supplement company you trust.   Luckily in this case nobody was hurt, just a false claim.  

The Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, charged NBTY with making false and unproven claims that its multivitamins — which featured Disney and Marvel Heroes characters — promoted healthy brain and eye development in children. According to the FTC, the vitamins’ packaging and print ads touted the amount of DHA as significant, but the multivitamins contained only a trace amount of DHA (0.1 mg). The FTC also alleged that the company’s claims about the brain and eye health benefits of its multivitamins were not supported by scientific evidence.

If you bought these vitamins you may qualify for a refund.