Omega 3 oil - has it helped your dc behaviiour/concentration? and how do you get them to take it?

[deaconblue]

Thought we would try Omega 3 with DS as he doesn't concentrate well at pre-school unless he's really interested in the topic. Tried EyeQ capsules which squirt foul tasting oil into his mouth (rejected) and Bassetts vitamin chews with added Omega 3 (a revolting mix of blackcurrent and mackerel). Is it worth the hassle and is there a brand that children will eat willingly?
p.s he's pretty good with medicines, vitamins etc so it is the nasty taste that is the issue

Hi,

My DSD 9 had problems with focus and concentration at school and I have been giving her the Children Omega 3 Capsules from Boots for 2 years now and for her it's been great help. See's more focused and less disruptive in class.

I also give it to my DD 6 along with the Gummy Bears Multivitamins which they love because they look and taste like sweets!

I'm a strong believer in vitamins; along with a good diet and , touch wood, they are in rude health and harldy ever sick.

Another thing is I've become quite good at avoiding E Numbers and too much sugar. They often hate me for not giving out sweets and treats everyday but I'm sticking to it.

Hope this helps.

as far as I'm aware there's no real evidence that it makes any difference - google Ben Goldacre's Bad Science column in the Guardian for some particularly scathing views

I suspect parents notice a placebo effect - i.e. you're giving your dc something expensive which loads of people tell you will do them good and you will tend to view their behaviour through that prism

we gave ds1 EyeQ capsules for a while, didn't notice any difference, stopped and again, no difference except there's a good few hundred pounds in my bank account which would have been in Equazen's!

We eat organic salmon or fresh (normal) trout or mackerel at least once a week, and I sprinkle Food Doctor mixed seeds on meals like couscous or just give them to him for a snack. Not sure it has any immediate impact on his concentration, but omega oils are good for lots of things as part of a balanced diet.

Oh yes - organic milk and cheese also has lots of omega 3. Yes, it's more expensive than normal milk etc, but I prefer it to pricey pills, whose ingredients may or may not be effectively absorbed anyway.

I suspect the omega 3 might help a delayed/struggling child catch up rather than turn an average child into a genius. (disclaimer, have no professional knowledge!)

When my DC's were smaller and had some issues/delays I was giving them Eye Q smooth and DS1 did take a huge leap forward in his speech. I'm not very conscientious and we have stopped taking them regularly but I do believe the essential oils are good for brains whether from diet or from a good quality supplement.

Eye Q smooth (the sachets) has always gone down well in this house. The "foul tasting oil" is pure fish oil and it's well masked with a pineappley flavour.

I give my DCs Seven Seas Cod Liver Oil with Orange Extract and the DS's love it (DD still holds her nose). They have been on it regularly for over a year now and although I have noticed a very definite change is DS2s behaviour (gone from being very disruptive and completely unable to get the hang of reading to a very good boy at school who is remembering new words very well), that may be down to him growing up. It's on 3 for 2 at Boots so I spend 11.00 for 3 bottles and that lasts at least 2 months for the 3 of them.

One thing I would say though is that they have been rarely ill since taking it. Between the 3 of them, 98% and 100% attendance at school last year. In fact DS1 had a very high temp on Saturday that I was sure was going to develop in a bad flu but was better by Sunday and DS2 had a sore throat and barking cough that cleared up within 2 days with nothing but honey and lemon water!

My DC's have the Bassett Orange flavour ones.They love them.

mimsum is correct in that there is no evidence that there is any benefit from Omega-3.

All the research that has been done has been bad research. I wouldn't waste your money (it is expensive) and concentrate on diet overall instead.

Our dd has equazen capsules. when she first started them there was a definite and very noticible change in her ability to concentrate. I don't know if this was a placebo effect or they really worked. I am not sure she benefits from them now and once our supply runs out (about a years worth to go) I won't be buying any more. OTOH, she has such an abysmal diet that anything 'extra' she is getting has to be good.