Ways to Shape A Child's Brain Development

By Michael Byrd

When and how to use methods for better child brain
development is important; many recommend computer programs.
According to experts however, it may be too late if the
window of opportunity to enhance a child's brain development
has ceased.

It is always good to begin even before the baby is born up
to the time of his or her third birthday. This is the most
crucial period in the child's brain development and
determines its ability to learn for the rest of their life.

It may appear unusual to begin even before a child is able
to read, write or reason, but there are studies to back this
and it has shown that all these skills begin to develop even
before a child goes to kindergarten.

In the latest research published in Developmental Medicine
and Child Neurology [Vol. 42: 174-181], doctors studied 56
babies, as young as 5 days old, and gave them a diet
supplement of omega 3 fish oil fatty acids and DHA.

The set of babies that were given DHA showed significantly
higher cognitive and motor skills, as compared to the other
set of babies (those without fish oil supplements) based on
the "Mental Development Index."

Doctors have concluded that an early dietary supply of fish
oil with DHA is needed at an early age to assure improved
performance and mental development for full term babies.

Research on premature babies, that was published in the
Clinics of Perinatology, . [Vol. 22(1):157-75], established
that babies who are not born full term also benefit from
fish oil. Those given omega 3 fatty acids with DHA as
supplements definitely had improvement in their cognitive
and visual development.

These are just a few of the many research findings that have
proven the secret to a child's brain development is
providing it with enough omega 3 and DHA.

DHA consists of rich long-chain omega 3 in the brain tissue.
Roughly 95% of these lipids can be found during birth and
develops to be a part of these tissues even inside the
uterus and continues during the first year of life.

So it does make sense for pregnant women to consume more
fish and get a supplement of fish oil. This is a good way to
build a good foundation on a child's brain development from
the very start and will surely be a big factor to determine
its intelligence and ability to learn in the future.

Subsequently, make sure that you breast-feed your child
during the first year. Sufficient amounts of omega 3's can
come from breast milk.

Research that was published in the American Journal of
Clinical Nutrition illustrated that even moderate amounts of
dietary fish oil with DHA will radically elevate breast milk
content. [Vol. 40, 780-785]

These research results on brain development were enough to
convince my wife to use fish oil while she was pregnant and
while nursing our children. She also started giving
supplements of salmon oil to our children while they were
just six months old.

From the capsule, it went to the spoon, then to their
mouths. And now, we get remarks from people telling us how
smart they are and they have high test scores to prove it.

But the best part is they are happy and healthy children
too. Try fish oil on your kids and you will be thankful you
did.

What you just learned about omega 3 oils and your health is
just the beginning. To get the full story and all the
details, check us out at our (http://www.omega-3.us) fish
oil website.

Attention Deficit Disorder - Fish Oil As An Excellent Treatment

Fish oil is an excellent treatment for ADD. This is how it
works and why.

Studies have shown that children with ADD and ADHD
(Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) have
symptoms which are similar to that of people who are
deficient with essential fatty acids.

Information published in the American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition says that children "with lower compositions of
total omega 3 fatty acids had significantly more behavioral
problems, temper tantrums, and learning, health, and sleep
problems than did those with high proportions of omega 3
fatty acids." [Vol. 71, No. 1, 327S-330S]

Parents will surely like this natural form of treatment for
ADD kids, and the moment they know that they have several
choices; it makes it a lot easier for them to make a decision.
It gives them the chance to try the natural approach first.

Prescription drugs may be used, but we also need to
consider the serious side effects that can result when
these drugs are taken. Fish oil on the other hand, has no
bad side effects but only endless health benefits from childhood
through old age.

The promotion of this natural treatment for children with
ADD and ADHD is now endorsed by scientists. For example,
in a study that was published in Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes
and Essential Fatty Acids, the authors particularly stated that
treating ADD and ADHD with omega 3 fatty acids is "safe
compared to existing pharmacological interventions"
[Vol. 63, No.1-2, pp. 79-87]

It has become more exciting, as one scientist took time to
review all available studies on omega 3s, and posted a
statement in the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry [Vol.
48:195-203], "that higher dosages of omega-3 fatty acids (2
to 4g daily) may ameliorate the symptoms of several
psychiatric conditions" ? that includes ADD and ADHD.

It is really a brave move to make such a statement, coming
from a scientist. We do not often see scientists becoming
so excited that they would go to the point of using the word
"ameliorate" in describing natural nutrients found in food.

"Ameliorate" refers to making a person feel better or
improve your health (similar to "cure") and would normally
be used for prescription drugs.

It is good to know that scientific studies back up the
need to find ADD fish oil treatment for your kids. And
certainly omega 3 fish oil is a very simple solution. By
simply adding more oily fish to your family's daily diet
plan can jump start things for you.

But this should not mean fish sticks and fish patties.
They are of course made of white meat fish, and do not
contain that much omega 3s. Also remember that omega 3s
are not produced by the body and must come from the diet.

What you need to provide is salmon, tuna, sardines,
mackerel or herring. The more you serve it, the better.
It can be a challenge to get 2 to 4 grams of fish oil daily
just by eating those fishes.

There is an easier alternative, and that is by
supplementing only the finest quality fish oil capsules to
your family's diet. If you prefer this natural approach over
traditional medicines, you'll need to look for a fish oil product
that is a 100% pure and free of toxins, a stable potency and
contains all the eight members of the omega 3 family.