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6 Benefits of Omega 3 for Children, Also Know the Sources

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6 Benefits of Omega 3 for Children, Also Know the Sources Illustration (credit: pixabay)

Kapanlagi.com - During childhood, individuals need a number of nutrients for their health and growth. One of the nutrients that children really need is omega 3. Because, there are many benefits of omega 3 for children's growth, from brain health to immune system.

Omega 3 is an unsaturated fat consisting of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). These three compounds are known to be very beneficial for children's growth and brain health.

To obtain the benefits of omega 3 for children's health, parents usually give supplements with omega 3 content. However, it turns out that we don't have to bother buying children's supplement products just to get the benefits of omega 3. Because, there are several types of food that have high omega 3 content.

Here are some explanations regarding the benefits of omega 3 for children's health along with their sources.

 

1. Good for Fetal Development

The benefits of omega 3 for children's health can actually be obtained since they are still in the womb. Omega 3 is one of the recommended nutrients for pregnant women to consume because it has many benefits for the health of both the mother and the fetus.

Consuming sufficient omega 3 during pregnancy is believed to help the development of brain and retina tissues in the fetus. Not only that, omega 3 is also believed to reduce the risk of food allergies in children in the future.

2. Maintaining Brain and Mental Health

The brain is one of the vital organs of humans. The brain is the control center of the nervous system for all body movements. In addition, the brain is also the center of human thoughts. The brain is so important that its health must always be maintained.

Well, it turns out that omega 3 is a nutrient that plays a role in maintaining brain and mental health. Meeting the omega 3 needs will prevent children from the risk of mental illnesses such as dementia, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and even Alzheimer's.

3. Improving Children's Intelligence

Not only does omega 3 help maintain brain health physically, but it also contributes to optimizing the development of children's brains. Adequate intake of omega 3 is believed to have an impact on children's intelligence. This has been proven in a study conducted by a researcher from Oxford University.

The results of the study show that children with high levels of omega 3 in their blood tend to have better reading skills. In addition, children with sufficient omega 3 intake also tend to behave well at school. This means that intelligence refers not only to academic intelligence but also emotional intelligence and problem-solving skills.

4. Boosting Immune System

Although omega 3 is mostly known for its benefits for the brain and mental health, it also has advantages for overall physical health. Adequate intake of omega 3 is believed to enhance children's immune system, making them less susceptible to diseases.

5. Maintaining Eye Health

The benefits of omega 3 for eye health have not been widely known. As mentioned earlier, omega 3 intake during pregnancy will affect the development of the retina. It turns out that omega 3 consumption in children is also beneficial for eye health.

This is because, it turns out that the DHA content in omega 3 is needed by the retina to receive light reflections. In addition, DHA also plays a role in protecting the receptor cells of the eyes from direct sunlight exposure and free radicals.

6. Prevent Various Chronic Diseases and Obesity

The benefits of omega 3 for children's health are also related to preventing various diseases. Early consumption of foods with omega 3 is believed to keep children away from certain risks, such as cholesterol, hypertension, and heart diseases.

This is because omega 3, which is good fatty acids, can increase the levels of good cholesterol in the body. This good cholesterol level then plays a role in balancing the levels of bad cholesterol that causes cholesterol, heart diseases, and hypertension. In fact, besides these chronic diseases, omega 3 is also believed to help children avoid obesity.

7. Types of Foods that Contain High Omega 3

As mentioned earlier, there are various types of foods that have high omega 3 content. Therefore, the omega 3 needs of children can be fulfilled by providing these types of foods.

Until now, it is known that omega 3 is found in various types of fish such as mackerel, sardines, salmon, anchovies, and so on. Therefore, it is not surprising that many parents give their children fish oil as a supplement for their health.

However, it turns out that omega 3 is not only found in fish. There are also several vegetables that have high omega 3 content. Vegetables with high omega 3 content include legumes and grains, such as soybeans, walnuts, chia seeds, and so on.

Considering the many benefits of omega 3 for children's health, as well as the various types of foods that contain it, there is no reason for parents not to meet this need for their children. Because fulfilling the omega 3 needs of children is very important. Not only for their health, but also for their intelligence in the future.

(kpl/psp/gen)

Disclaimer: This translation from Bahasa Indonesia to English has been generated by Artificial Intelligence.
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