can someone please explain about fish oils?

[kitbit]

Sorry to be thick everyone, but think I have missed something! I keep seeing threads where people explain that their child is on fish oils, but cannot fathom out the reason or the expected benefits... to explain, we live in Spain and the whole HV/paediatrician system is totally different as are the methods and advice.
Please can someone enlighten me? thank you!

[jamiesam]

They contain types of fat (think omega 3 and 6) which are said, amongst other things, to improve brain power. This can help concentration ( blimey, just realised that ds1's pre-school report says he lacks concentration!) and generally improve behaviour.

As you'll guess from the above, I've never given to my children, but thinking about it now - thanks for starting this thread!!!

[JoshandJamie]

here's a question - if like me you're allergic to some times of fish (like salmon) and all shellfish, is it safe to assume that I should avoid taking fish oil tablets? I constantly read how important it is to eat oily fish and to get omega 3 etc but I can't eat fish so I assume I can't take the oils either?

[kitbit]

When I was pregnant I was told that I needed omega 3 but shouldn't have fish oils as they are often from smoked and cured fish, not cooked (spanish doctor, not sure how true, could have been slightly mad as was most of the other advice he gave me!) so I found some in an organic shop that was a non fish version with omega 3, grapeseed oil I think??