Which fish oil brands are best for children? Article from Daily Mail UK

[Guest guest]

Someone has been reading our minds here! Wait till you guys check

out the bestest article I've read in awhile about the best EFAs for

kids from both a professional and kid's points of views! The

professionals was Dr. AJ who was one of the presenters at

CHERAB's First Apraxia Conference. She was the one that introduced

to me the importance of EPA in EFAs. Head's up she wrote a book

that will be out June 19th -must read I'm sure!

I find it funny that out of the 5 brands chosen by the " team " that

three of them are brands we've talked about here for years. Efalex,

ProEFA, and EyeQ! The MorEPA appears to be the best one however -

but no shock we don't talk about it here...it's a pure Omega 3. Oh

well! Anyway -enjoy here it is. May be best to read it from the

link below while you can!

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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/dietfitness.html?in_articl\

e_id=389362 & in_page_id=1798 & in_a_source=

Which fish oil brands are best for children?

By TANIA ALEXANDER, Daily Mail 14:22pm 6th June 2006

Research proves fish oil tablets can boost your child's brainpower -

but how do you persuade fussy youngsters to take them? Here, an

expert rates the top brands...and our junior panel give their taste

verdict:

Fish oils are the new health 'wonder' food - not a week goes by, it

seems, without yet more research confirming how good they are for

you.

Not only do they help children with learning difficulties such as

dyslexia, ADHD and dyspraxia, and adults with conditions as

schizophrenia and depression, fish oils protect the heart and reduce

the pain of arthritis.

Then last week a study, funded by Boots, found that regular doses of

fish oils dramatically boosted young children's performance at

school. Nearly three quarters of the youngsters - who were of mixed

academic ability - showed improvements in numeracy, reading and

writing after taking fish oil supplements for nine months.

" With no placebo group, we don't know what progress they would have

have made anyway " says Dr , a Senior Research Fellow

from Oxford University. " But these findings are in line with other

evidence that fish oils really can improve behaviour and learning in

many children. "

It is the Omega-3 fatty acids - specifically EPA and DHA - they

contain that make fish oils so beneficial. Unfortunately the body

can't make Omega-3s; the best source is oily fish. But the problem,

as most parents know, is that children don't like it, so Omega-3

supplements are becoming a popular option.

Traditional cod liver oil is not particularly rich in EPA and DHA;

it also contains the fat-soluble vitamins A and D, that can be toxic

in excess, so high doses are not advisable in the long-term.

Some fish oil supplements also contain these vitamins so ask you GP

before attempting to increase dosage. There is no clear rule about

how much EPA and DHA your child should take. " About 450-500mg per

day combined EPA/DHA is a reasonable target for both adults and

children " says Dr .

" Some may need even more to see real benefits - but I wouldn't

recommend more than 1,000mg without expert supervision. " There

should be no serious danger of your child over-dosing on fish oils,

but an excess can cause a stomach upset, and some people may be

allergic to them, so discuss any worries with your doctor.

Taste is a key factor, you need to choose a supplement that is

palatable. " Many of the supplements contain artificial sweeteners,

colourings and flavourings which should not be necessary " says Dr

, " Xylitol and mannitol are two of the better sweeteners

as they are good for the teeth. "

To help you choose the right fish oil supplement from the

bewildering range available, we asked Dr to analyse their

content, while on, 13, his sister Anoushka 11 and brother

, six offer their verdicts on the taste on a five star rating.

Daily costs quoted are given both for the manufacturers'

recommendations and for the dose needed to provide at least 450-

500mg of EPA and DHA:

EFALEX WILD BERRY BLAST CHEWIES

£4.99 for 30 capsules. Stockists: 0870 6060 128; www.efalex.co.uk

Chewable strawberry flavour capsules for children three years and

over. Recommended daily dose: (two capsules) provides 150mg DHA,

24mg EPA, cost 33p. Sweeteners: acesulfame-K, saccharin. Colourings:

carmine, iron oxide, titanium dioxide.

Dr says: You need to give six capsules to get the

required amount (450-500mg cost 99p) rather than the recommended

two, so it works out quite expensive. Also contains Omega-6 fats and

might help eczema.

VERDICT: 3/5

TASTE: : Weird - tastes like a jammy cake.

Anoushka: Sweet and fruity but there's still a little bit of a fishy

aftertaste.

: Mmmm, delicious. Nice and sweet. Can I have more?

BOOTS SMART OMEGA 3 FISH OIL CHEWABLE CAPSULES

£6.50 for 60 capsules. Stockists: Boots nationwide www.boots.com

Chewable orange flavour capsules suitable for children over three.

Recommended daily dose: (two capsules) provides EPA 14mg, DHA 100mg,

cost 22p. Sweeteners: mannitol, xylitol, aspartame. Colourings: iron

oxides

Dr says: You would have to take eight rather than two

capsules per day, so the daily cost to provide 450-500mg is 87p.

This one also contains Vitamins A and D, so consult your GP before

increasing the dose.

VERDICT: 1/5

TASTE: : Initially too sweet but not too overpowering afterwards.

Anoushka: Too strong and sickly.

: Disgusting.

TESCO CHILDREN'S OMEGA 3 CHEWBURST

£2.48 for pack of 30 capsules. Stockists: 0800 505 555;

www.tesco.com. Chewable orange flavour capsules for children over

three. Recommended daily dose: (two capsules) provides 200mg DHA,

cost 16p. Sweeteners: mannitol, aspartame. Colourings: yellow iron

oxide, red iron oxide.

Dr says: Again not enough Omega-3 in the recommended dose

and they do not specify the EPA content. You would need to take five

tablets (cost 41p) rather than two to get the recommended amount.

Also contains A and D vitamins so check with GP before increasing

the dose.

VERDICT: 2/5

TASTE: : Urrgh that's horrible. Far too sweet and sickly. Give

me some water!

Anoushka: I actually liked these as they have a nice fruity taste.

: Nice first taste and no nasty taste afterwards.

MorEPA MINI JUNIOR

£13.99 for 60 softgels. Stockists: Mail order: 0870 053 6000;

www.healthyand essential.co.uk Natural strawberry flavour softgel

capsules for children and adolescents. Recommended daily dose: (two

capsules) provides 490mg EPA and 70mg DHA, cost 47p. Sweeteners:

none. Colourings: none.

Dr says: A daily dose of this gives you 560mg EPA/ DHA

which is around the level used in trials that showed improvements in

children's behaviour and learning. Extra marks for the lack of

artificial sweeteners and colourings.

VERDICT: 5/5

TASTE: : I prefer these as you just swallow them and don't have

to chew.

Anoushka: I don't like swallowing capsules but these weren't too bad

and there was no aftertaste.

: Fine. Easy to swallow.

ProEFA JUNIOR

£18.88 for 90 chewable soft gels. Stockists: 08704 054 002;

www.nutri-linkltd.co.uk Natural lemon-flavoured chewable softgels

for children from three years to teens. Recommended daily dose: (two

softgels) provides 148mg EPA, 98mg DHA, 36mg GLA, cost 42p.

Sweeteners: none. Colourings: none.

Dr says: You would need six (at a cost of £1.26) rather

than the recommended two capsules to reach the target dose. Extra

marks for no sweeteners or colourings.

VERDICT: 4/5

TASTE: : Doesn't taste of much at all, but is quite fishy.

Anoushka: Not bad at first, like lemony water. Horrible rubbery

aftertaste though.

: Beginning is not nice - just like water and fish - but

afterwards tastes OK.

HEALTHSPAN BRAIN BOOSTERS

£8.95 for 120 capsules. Stockists: Mail order: 0800 731 2377;

www.omega3 forchildren.co.uk Chewy orange fruit bursts for children

over three. Recommended daily dose: (two capsules) provides 180mg

DHA and 120mg EPA, cost 15p. Sweeteners: sucralose, mannitol and

sodium saccharin Colourings: yellow iron oxide paste

Dr says: If you are on a tight budget this is worth

considering. You need only three capsules (22p) to get a 450mg dose.

Shame they added sweeteners and colourings. May not be suitable for

children with asthma as it contains sulphur dioxide.

VERDICT: 4/5

TASTE: : Disgusting aftertaste.

Anouschka: Nice first taste but fishy aftertaste lingers.

: Mmmm. Nice orange taste.

EYE Q CHEWS

£22.99 for 180 capsules. Stockists: Boots and superdrug 0870 241

5621; www.equazen.com Chewy strawberry flavoured capsules for

children over three. Recommended daily dose: (six capsules to

start), cost 77p, then two capsules thereafter, provides 186mg EPA,

58mg DHA, 20mg GLA, costs 25p. Sweeteners: xylitol, strawberry

flavour. Colourings: carmine.

Dr says: Instructions say six capsules per day for 12

weeks, reducing to two. To achieve the target dose you really need a

minimum four capsules a day (51p) long-term. Uses tooth-friendly

sweetener xylitol.

VERDICT: 4/5

TASTE: : Very watery, doesn't taste of much at all.

Anoushka: Bitter and slightly fishy.

: Tastes of water and a bit of cherry. OK.

SMARTFISH

£14.99 for 28 Sachets. Stockists: 0870 066 4137; www.higher

nature.co.uk Lemon or orange flavour sachets suitable for children

over six months old. Recommended daily dose: (one sachet) provides

EPA 340mg DHA 225mg, Omega-6 50mg, cost 53p. Sweeteners: tooth

friendly xylitol. Colourings: natural.

Dr says: One sachet provides a good dose of over 500mg.

Sachets are a convenient alternative for children who do not like

swallowing capsules.

VERDICT: 4/5

TASTE: : Urrgh. Sickly with a bitter aftertaste.

Anoushka: OK. Tastes at first a bit like lemon mousse but then

creates a weird feeling at the roof of my mouth.

: Too fishy in beginning, very sour at the end.

VALUPAK SMART OMEGA 3 IN HONEY

£3.99 for 150ml (15x10ml doses). Stockists: From independent

pharmacies and Lloyds Pharmacy. Honey flavoured liquid formulation

for children over three years old. Recommended daily dose: (10ml)

provides 200mg DHA, 40mg EPA, cost 27p Sweeteners: none. Colourings:

none.

Dr says: You would have to take 20ml (cost 53p) to get

the required amount. It flags up that it contains no added sugar but

the main ingredient is honey. Although it suits some children,

liquid formulations do not keep as well as capsules and sachets.

Store away from sunlight.

VERDICT: 3/5

TASTE: : Not too bad if you like honey.

Anoushka: Gross! The lemony honey flavour does not mask the flavour

of fish.

: Rich honey taste. A little bit oily at the end.

BIOCARE OMEGABERRY

£19.50 for 300ml. Stockists: 0121 433 3727; www.biocare.co.uk

Tropical fruit flavour liquid formulation for children over two.

Recommended daily dose: (10ml) provides 500mg EPA, 375mg DHA, cost

65p. Sweeteners: fructose Colourings: none

Dr says: If you really want to match the type of dose

used on many of the big trials, this is an excellent product but

again as it is a liquid, be careful of how you store it. One 10ml

spoon provides 875mg EPA/DHA so you could actually give your child a

little less on the spoon. It is flavoured with fruit purees.

VERDICT: 5/5

TASTE: : Not very keen on this one. Much too sour and strong a

taste.

Anoushka: Disgusting at first but afterwards quite nice and tangy.

: Urgh. Not good. But actually afterwards it's not bad.

They Are What You Feed Them is a new book by Dr on

how diet can affect children's behaviour (HarperThorson £12.99), to

be published on June 19.

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