Omega 3 Fish Oils and Your Child’s Brain

Omega 3 Fish Oil supplements are one of those few supplements that actually has a qualified health claim from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  The F.D.A bestowed this status on Omega 3 oils because eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) omega-3 fatty acids have been proven by research to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

However when it comes to kids you want to use these oils to help your kids do great in school. Lineolic acid, one of the omega-3 long chain fatty acids, may play a role in helping this supplement improve mental functions.

Omega-3 fatty acids are an essential nutrient that cannot be manufactured by the body and therefore must be obtained from supplements or food sources. As most omega-3 fatty acids have only been found in fish it makes more sense to take these acids in the form of supplements than ever. This is because fish nowadays contains excessive amounts of mercury and other toxins which I think could be a little toxic for kids.  Mercury can cause brain damage in children.  As a result I try to supplement their diets from other sources of omega oils.

Since 2000, the American Heart Association's dietary guidelines have recommended that healthy adults and children eat at least two servings of fish per week so that they can enjoy the cardiovascular benefits of ingest natural sources of omega 3's.

The main natural sources of the supplement are mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna and salmon.  These fish are special contain two omega-3 fatty acids –   eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids (EPA and DHA).

A third kind of omega 3 fatty acid called alpha-linolenic acid, is less potent. It comes from soybeans, canola, walnut and flaxseed and oils made from those beans, nuts and seeds.

Omega 3 supplements are manufactured everywhere in the world where there are these types of fish and they are easy to find in drug stores or health stores.   In North America these oils are often made from salmon.   Wild salmon is said to have less mercury so look for that on the label.

Another study regarding fish oil was published in the journal Nutrition in April 2007. Sixty-four healthy Danish infants received either cow’s milk or infant formula supplemented with fish oil from nine to twelve months of age. It was found that those infants supplemented with fish oil had superior immune systems.

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The Yogurt and Yeast Infection Connection

You have probably heard about the traditional remedy of spooning yogurt into the vagina to cure yeast infections. It seems so messy. Yet so many women get yeast infections during pregnancy, after sex and just from being too busy and suffering stress. We need to deal with it somehow and without taking antibiotics.
Thankfully a solution has been found for this in the form of vaginal acidophilus inserts. These look a lot like the bullet shaped anti-fungal medications that you are usually prescribed for these conditions.
These tablets, which you can buy in health food stores, should be kept in the refrigerator as they contain friendly bacteria that can help cure your infection.
You can insert them manually with your fingers. Many come as a kit complete with a plunger style insertion device. If you have had lots of yeast infections then you will know what this implement looks like as antifungal medications are also often applied this way s well.
The insertion of these medicines can help greatly soothe the pain and irritation of the infection and help repopulate the vagina with the bacteria it needs to be healthy.
Lactobacillus acidophilus is a bacterium present in both the vaginal, and gastrointestinal tract; it is important in controlling vaginal pH and maintaining a healthy balance in the vaginal ecosystem.
It is not enough to just eat these helpful bacteria. You also need to also have the vagina make contact with it.
Age, infections, antibiotic use, douching, and many other factors can interfere with lactobacilli, upsetting the delicate balance and predisposing women to overgrowth of yeast and “bad” bacteria.
There have been several studies showing that regular ingestion of acidophilus, specifically in the form of yogurt with “active cultures,” decreases vaginal yeast and bacterial infections.
Acidophilus is also available in supplement form through capsules and powders. The powdered form, which is mixed with water, is the most effective but also the least tasty.
Give me an eight-ounce container of low-fat yogurt any day! But read the label: Not all brands of yogurt contain live and active cultures of lactobacillus acidophilus.
You should also not eat yogurts that have a lot of sugary fruits or flavorings in them. This is on the bad list of foods.
The truth is that eating the yogurt and also employing the supplements goes a long way towards reinforcing the positive bacteria in your gut so that it can thrive again and improve digestion.
When you look for yogurt or yogurt supplements look for the term probiotic on the label. The term “probiotic” is used to describe organisms that are used medicinally, including bacteria such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and yeast such as Saccharomyces boulardii
Acidophilus does have other health benefits. It helps prevent infection with some intestinal bugs, and seems to slightly improve general immune system function. This of course is of great use to people who have been taking the antibiotics for years and finding their immune systems compromised.

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