Raisingkids.co.uk's paediatric dietitian, David Swain, explains the positive effects of including omega-3 oils in your child's diet.

Raisingkids member's problem
Please could you tell me the benefits of feeding my toddler omega-3 oils. I have read somewhere that this can calm children down, as my son seems to be slightly 'hyper' although we are very careful with what he eats. Could this also help regulate his sleeping patterns, at the moment 1 good night followed by 3 bad nights?

Dave's advice
Omega-3 fatty acids are types of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) that are essential to human health. They cannot be produced by the body and must therefore be obtained in one's diet. Over recent years the dietary significance of omega-3s has gained increased importance in medicine and these fatty acids and their derivatives have been shown to offer many health benefits.

It is now recognised that omega-3 fatty acids offer protection against cardiovascular disease and thus increased consumption of oily fish (which contains high concentrations of omega-3 oils) is encouraged to patients with raised cholesterol or a history of heart disease. Fish oil supplementation may also help in inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn's disease, although this has yet to be completely proved. With regards to children's development, omega-3 fatty acids and their derivatives appear to be important for brain development and healthy eye function. These substances are naturally present in breast milk and are now being added to a number of formula milks.

With regards to your query about omega-3 oils and hyperactivity, it's true that some authors do feel that there may be an association between blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids and incidence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). However, this link has yet to be proved and supplementation of omega-3s is not generally recommended or given for children who are hyperactive. Indeed, the whole issue of food and hyperactivity remains controversial and much more research is needed.

Now your son is a toddler, my advice would be to avoid giving any particular supplement/capsules but to incorporate oily fish as part of a healthy diet. There are no recommendations about how much or how often to give such foods, but in my mind approximately twice a week would seem sensible. Suitable fish include salmon and mackerel.

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