How Equazen® supplements can support your child's brain health

The start of a new school year is here, and while getting back into the routine can feel like a juggling act, it’s also a great opportunity to set children up for success in the months ahead.

A new term brings fresh goals, new friendships, and plenty of challenges, so it’s the perfect time to nurture their curiosity and resilience. Encouraging a love of learning at home - through reading together, exploring ideas sparked in the classroom and practising everyday problem-solving skills - can help them feel confident and prepared.

And nutrition plays a key role in brain function too, with the potential to improve mood and overall wellbeing. According to the NHS, a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients like omega-3 and 6, iron, and B vitamins supports brain health. 

Scientist Reinet Saunders states that “Omega-3 provides the structural building blocks for the developing brain and supports the functioning of the brain.” And that “small oily fish are great sources of these essential fatty acids.”

Why back to school can be a tricky transition

No matter how busy you keep your kids over summer, those six weeks can still feel like a big break from the classroom. Kickstarting a healthy routine at the start of term will stand you and your child in good stead. 

It’s good to start with a consistent sleep schedule as it’s easy to fall into the trap of later bedtimes and lie-ins throughout the school holidays. 

Regular exercise is also great, whether that’s a family bike ride, an evening walk or sightseeing day trip.

Nutrition is key for health, especially in growing children. Aim to encourage regular, balanced meals and avoid excessive junk food or unhealthy after-school snacks where you can.

Afterall, the return to school brings increased cognitive demands - from sustained concentration in lessons to processing new information and managing social interactions. This is precisely when children's brains need nutritional support to handle these learning challenges effectively. 

Omega-3 (including DHA) helps to support brain function, a critical need in young children facing the structured learning environment of a new school term. 

According to Saunders, “ensuring your child’s diet consists of the right amount of these nutrients provides the supply of key ingredients required by the brain.”

Although omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are essential for overall health, the body cannot produce them on its own. That's why it's important to include them in your diet through food.

Omega-3s can be found in:

• oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines

• flaxseeds, chia seeds and walnuts

Omega-6s are commonly found in:

• vegetable oils like sunflower, soybean and corn oil

• nuts and seeds

Supplements like Equazen® can offer a helping hand when incorporated into your child’s daily routine.

Help support your child’s brain function

Equazen® is a scientifically researched supplement that’s made specifically for children, teenagers and adults, backed by extensive scientific studies across multiple age groups. 

What sets Equazen® apart from generic fish oil supplements is its unique, scientifically-tested formulation of omega‑3 (EPA & DHA) and omega‑6 (GLA) fatty acids in a precise 9:3:1 ratio - that's nine parts EPA, three parts DHA and one part GLA.

This specific 9:3 ratio of EPA to DHA is Equazen®'s key differentiator, developed through rigorous research to provide support for the brain.

The supplement comes in a variety of child-friendly formats, including: 

• twist-off capsules suitable for ages six months to three years

• chewable capsules for three years and up

• jelly drops for three years and up

• liquids for three years and up 

• capsules for ages five and up

Plus all variations are sugar-free and made without artificial colours or preservatives. The omega fatty acids found in oily fish are important for children’s brain health, but their strong taste and smell can be off-putting for children. Which is why supplements like Equazen®’s are an easy way to add these important nutrients alongside your child’s varied and balanced diet.

Adding Equazen® to your back-to-school routine

Alongside your back-to-school checklist - new uniforms, fresh stationery and packed lunchboxes - consider adding Equazen® to your preparations. 

Just as you wouldn't send your child to school without the right equipment, supporting their brain health is equally important for managing the increased demands associated with a new term.

“Brain nutrition is a key factor to unlock the potential of your child to perform to the best of their unique ability. Introducing Equazen® ahead of going back to school, ensures the loading time needed to build up the essential fatty acid stores to a stable level. Equazen® delivers a balanced ratio of Omega-3 and 6 with each dosage,” according to Saunders.

How to incorporate Equazen® into the school routine

We sought advice from scientist and consumer healthcare veteran, Reinet Saunders about how best to factor Equazen® into daily family life. 

Saunders advises: “Equazen® provides a tailormade solution for every child, fitting easily into different preferences and routines to make it easy to support the right nutrition for picky-eaters and adapt to busy lifestyles. 

“There are various formulations to choose from, chews, jelly drops, liquid and capsules, which can be taken once a day in the morning after breakfast or twice a day in divided dosages. 

“Equazen® jelly drops are convenient as they are individually sealed. For an easy loading dosage choose the concentrated dosage form - for example, the jelly drops deliver the full dosage in two drops daily.”

When should I start giving my child Equazen®?

Equazen® offers products for a variety of ages, so you can find the one that works for your child and their age. For instance, the twist-off capsules are suitable from just six months old through to three. Once your child turns three, you can move them onto the chewable capsules, jelly drops or liquids.

Which Equazen® format is best for my child? 

Equazen® offers products tailored to different age groups. For children aged three and up, the strawberry-flavoured chews are a tasty and easy-to-take option. Alternatively, the jelly drops are equally as good.

For those aged five and above, the standard capsules may be suitable, while the citrus-flavoured liquid is a great alternative for children who find capsules difficult to swallow.

How long does Equazen® take to work?

It is recommended to take the products for at least a 12-week loading period. This allows the body to build up essential fatty acid levels that support brain health.  

This is why starting during the summer holidays can be beneficial - your child can enter the new school year with nutritional support already in place.

Equazen® products are food supplements. Equazen® contains fish oil providing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from omega-3 fatty acids. 

DHA contributes to maintenance of normal brain function. The beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 250 mg of DHA. Food supplements are not a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.

Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. If you have any concerns about your child's health or nutrition, or if your child has any existing medical conditions or is taking medication, please consult your GP, registered dietitian, or qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement regime. Always read the label and follow the dosage instructions. Keep supplements out of reach of young children.

About the expert

Reinet Saunders is a scientist (Master Degree Organic Chemistry), with two decades of experience in the consumer healthcare industry, firstly in a laboratory as an analyst and thereafter as representative in the health care sector for natural health products.  She has a passion to educate and inspire people to improve quality of life through proven natural health solutions and her current role is the customer experience and education specialist for SFI Health EMEA.

Being mother to three adult daughters of whom two are neurodiverse, she has a great deal of personal experience in the challenging, but rewarding journey of raising children with learning difficulties.  In her free time she is an ardent hiker and adventurer, especially enjoying the mountains and forests around her hometown in the Garden Route in George, South Africa.

About Equazen®

For more than 25 years, Equazen® has been dedicated to supporting brain function* through its unique blend of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Our formulation is backed by rigorous clinical research and our products are designed to offer a reliable source of these essential nutrients, which the body can’t produce on its own. Every Equazen® product is created to provide families with a trusted, natural way to support brain function.

About the author

Kat Romero is a writer and journalist with over a decade’s experience in the industry. Hailing from London, she has become experienced in scouring the market to find the best products for families. As a mum herself, she knows how much thought goes into children’s nutrition and diet. That’s why her guides are always written with helping fellow parents in mind.

Away from her desk, Kat can be found consuming far too much coffee and spending her weekends with her toddler and partner - soaking up the sights of London and sampling anything new and exciting that has opened up within walking distance. Her favourite activity to do with her son is to visit London’s incredible museums and immerse themselves in new exhibits or installations.