Is it Safe for Children to Take Fish Oil Supplements?

For many years, cod liver oil was given to children as a source of vitamins and omega-3 fats. There are many benefits to taking fish oil supplements, including heart health and brain development. Its high levels of omega-3 fats reduce inflammation, which has many health benefits as well. The main concern about fish oil supplements for children is the risk of contamination from mercury and other metals, vitamin A and D toxicity and EPA and DHA toxicity, as well as allergic reactions to fish.

Fish oil supplements are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for developing children. Omega-3s help brain development, and its deficiency is known to negatively affect intelligence. This is what makes fish oil an ideal supplement---it is beneficial and comes from a food source.

Fish oil supplements are extracted from the livers of fatty fish. The benefits of the omega-3s found in the fish oil lessens the risk of heart disease, lowers triglycerides, helps the body maintain good blood pressure levelsand reduces chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation is considered to be the root cause of many diseases and conditions. Therefore, the ability of fish oil to reduce chronic inflammation may greatly decrease the occurrence of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes.

A concern associated with giving children fish oil supplements is that the prolonged use of it can lead to vitamin E deficiency. However, this is remedied by the addition of vitamin E to many fish oil products. Fish oils naturally contain vitamins A and D, and the vitamins A, D and E are all fat-soluble vitamins. The other concern is that extended use of fish oil supplements can develop high levels of these vitamins in the body, leading to toxicity.

Another concern associated with giving children fish oil supplements is the risk of contamination from known fish contaminants. Heavy metals and other contaminants are harmful to children. The fish oil is extracted from the fish liver, and contaminants accumulate in the liver as it filters waste from the fish's circulating blood. So, it is feared that some of these contaminants will be present in the fish oil supplements. However, contaminants, such as methylmercury, is found in the fish meat and not the oil, but there have been cases where fish oil supplements had traces of contaminants in them.

Many fish oil companies do not sell contaminated products. It is important to look for the labels that guarantee that their product is contaminant free, because it takes a long time to get rid of fat-soluble pollutants in our bodies. Contamination is usually found in imported products from countries with less rigorous guidelines for fish oil supplements.

Fish oil contains two very beneficial omega-3 fatty acids---EPA and DHA. EPA is used by the body to reduce inflammation and high blood pressure, and it maintains brain health. However, the filtering process of the fish oil supplements strips it of its quality as the contaminants are removed. The process even causes toxins to develop in the fish oil. The best type of fish oil supplements are those that are not processed by chemicals. Use unrefined or cold-pressed fish oil supplements. However, taking too much fish oil can lead to high levels of EPA and DHA in the body. An alternative to fish oil supplements is flax seed oil. Flax seed oil contains the ALA omega-3 fatty acid, which is used by the body to make EPA and DHA. The body only makes the amount of EPA and DHA that it needs, so there is no risk of having too much EPA and DHA in the body when using flax seed.

Fish oil supplements may be safe for children if they have the quality seal that guarantees it is free from contaminants, if it is unrefined or cold-pressed and if they are given to the children in amounts that does not lead to EPA, DHA, and vitamins A, D and E toxicity.