Omega-3's and Your Child's Brain Development - What You Should Know...

Omega-3 fatty acids are a crucial component of a healthy diet.

These essential fats are especially important for children, as they play a key role in growth and development and are associated with numerous health benefits Trusted Source

However, many parents are unsure whether omega-3 supplements are necessary — or even safe — for their children.

This article takes an in-depth look at the benefits, side effects, and dosage recommendations of omega-3 supplements to determine whether kids should take them.

What are omega-3s?

Omega-3s are fatty acids that are integral to many aspects of health, including fetal development, brain function, heart health, and immunity .

They’re considered essential fatty acids because your body cannot produce them on its own and needs to obtain them from food.

The three main types are alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

ALA is present in a variety of plant foods, including vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, and certain vegetables. Yet, it isn’t active in your body, and your body only converts it into active forms, such as DHA and EPA, in very small amounts 

Meanwhile, EPA and DHA occur naturally in fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, and tuna, and are widely available in supplements .

While many types of omega-3 supplements exist, some of the most common are fish oil, krill oil, and algae oil.

Omega-3 benefits for kids

Many studies suggest that omega-3 supplements offer several benefits for children.

May improve symptoms of ADHD

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common condition linked to symptoms like hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and difficulty focusing (5Trusted Source).

Some research indicates that omega-3 supplements may help decrease ADHD symptoms in children.

A review of 16 studies revealed that omega-3 fatty acids improved memory, attention, learning, impulsivity, and hyperactivity, all of which are often affected by ADHD 

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Trusted Source

A 16-week study in 79 boys showed that taking 1,300 mg of omega-3s daily improved attention in those with and without ADHD Trusted Source

What’s more, a large review of 52 studies concluded that dietary modifications and fish oil supplements were two of the most promising techniques to reduce ADHD symptoms in children Trusted Source

Could reduce asthma

Asthma is a chronic condition that affects children and adults, causing symptoms like chest pain, breathing difficulties, coughing, and wheezingTrusted Source

Some studies have found that omega-3 fatty acid supplements help relieve these symptoms.

For instance, a 10-month study in 29 children noted that taking a fish-oil capsule containing 120 mg of combined DHA and EPA daily helped decrease symptoms of asthma Trusted Source

Another study in 135 children associated a higher intake of omega-3 fatty acids with a reduction in asthma symptoms caused by indoor air pollution Trusted Source

Other studies reveal a possible link between omega-3 fatty acids and a lower risk of asthma in children Trusted SourTrusted Source

Promotes better sleep

Sleep disturbances affect nearly 4% of children under age 18 Trusted Source

One study in 395 children tied lower blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids to a higher risk of sleep problems. It also found that supplementing with 600 mg of DHA over 16 weeks decreased sleep interruptions and led to nearly 1 more hour of sleep per nightTrusted Source

Other research suggests that consuming more omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy could improve sleep patterns in infants Trusted Source17Trusted Source

However, more high-quality studies regarding omega-3s and sleep in children are needed.

Enhances brain health

Emerging research indicates that omega-3 fatty acids may improve brain function and mood in children — in particular, learning, memory, and brain development Trusted Source

In a 6-month study, 183 children who ate a spread high in omega-3 fatty acids experienced improved verbal learning ability and memoryTrusted Source

Similarly, a small, 8-week study in 33 boys linked 400–1,200 mg of DHA daily to increased activation of the prefrontal cortex, the region of the brain responsible for attention, impulse control, and planning Trusted Source

furthermore, several studies suggest that omega-3 fats help prevent depression and mood disorders in children.

Potential side effects

The side effects of omega-3 supplements, such as fish oil, are generally very mild. The most common ones include Trusted Source

• bad breath
• unpleasant aftertaste
• headache
• heartburn
• stomach upset
• nausea
• diarrhea

Make sure your kid sticks to the recommended dosage to reduce their risk of side effects. You can also start them on a lower dose, increasing gradually to assess tolerance.

Those who are allergic to fish or shellfish should avoid fish oil and other fish-based supplements, such as cod liver oil and krill oil.

Instead, opt for other foods or supplements rich in omega-3s like flaxseed or algal oil.

Powerful Heart Health Supplements - Astonishing Study Revels Dramatic Long-Term Health Benefits - See Study

New 12-month Heart Health Study reveals dramatic long-term health benefits of supplementing with the Peak Performance Pack!

At their Launch event on January 4, 2020 Melaleuca announced that a fourth clinical study has revealed the astonishing impact that the Peak Performance Pack has on the most crucial aspect of our well-being: heart health.

The recently completed Heart Health Study confirms that with sustained use of the Peak Performance Heart Health Pack, the incredible benefits continue for the long term. Over the 12-month study, participants experienced improvements in cholesterol, blood pressure, and circulation. And similar to the three prior clinical studies, participants experienced significant reduction in free radicals and inflammation. 

These results confirm that Peak Performance is a nutritional supplement pack like no other. Not only does it contain a powerful combination of patented and proprietary supplements, but it has endured the rigors of scientific investigation again and again and proven its invaluable worth every time.

In the first clinical study, called the Freiburg Study, Peak Performance improved 25 key health markers—many in as little as 60 minutes after taking the supplement. The second study—the Sterling Study—produced the same results in a different, more diverse population. Next, the Deprivation Study confirmed the improvements were tied directly to the Peak Performance Pack and that without it benefits would quickly fade.

By design, the Freiburg and Sterling Studies were only 12 weeks long, so one question still loomed—would long-term use of the Peak Performance Pack continue to provide the same benefits over a much longer period of time?

That’s exactly what Melaleuca researchers sought to find out with the Heart Health Study. Instead of lasting 12 weeks, this study lasted a full 12 months! And rather than testing the standard Peak Performance Nutrition Pack, Melaleuca chose to test the Peak Performance Heart Health Pack, which contains the same supplements as the Nutrition Pack plus three heart-specific health supplements.

Just like the first three studies, the results were far beyond anything the scientific community has ever seen—proving that there is nothing like the Peak Performance Pack anywhere in the world. Never before has any nutritional supplement produced results in human studies that would suggest that a supplement would help people defy aging and stay significantly younger longer.

The Heart Health Study involved 26 participants evenly split between men and women, with an average age of 50. All lived an active lifestyle and were in good health. These were individuals who you’d normally think wouldn’t need to worry about heart health. But just wait until you see their results.

The Heart Health Study measured 16 different heart-specific health markers, with an emphasis on blood pressure, cholesterol, endothelial health, and circulation. These health markers were chosen because they are the primary markers in determining long-term heart health. And subjects saw improvements in every single one!

Despite using a generally healthier group with a more active lifestyle, the Heart Health Study confirmed the results of the Freiburg and Sterling Studies while highlighting exciting heart-specific health benefits.

The average participant in the Heart Health Study experienced the following results: Free radicals in the blood were reduced by 7.3%! Mitochondrial free radicals saw a dramatic 73.2% reduction. Inflammation resistance improved an incredible 59%! The hs-CRP marker dropped 27.3%!

Additionally, there was significant impact on health markers directly tied to heart health like blood pressure, cholesterol, and circulation. Subjects with slightly elevated blood pressure saw a drop of 5.1% in systolic blood pressure and a 3.2% reduction in diastolic blood pressure. In healthy subjects with higher cholesterol levels, total cholesterol dropped 8.1%! LDL, or “bad” cholesterol dropped an incredible 15.2% for the same group. Additionally, subjects saw their circulating nitric oxide levels increase 75.6%!

It’s just further evidence that Peak Performance can help you enjoy a healthy life and make the most of it.

To see the complete results of the Heart Health Study as well as the previous three studies, visit PeakPerformanceStudies.com.

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Studies Show House Cleaning Products Lead to Lung Damage...

A new, independent study based on 20 years of research reveals a sobering fact: cleaning your home with common, well-known grocery store products made with ammonia, chlorine bleach, quaternary disinfectant compounds, and other dangerous chemicals significantly damages lung tissue in women. In fact, the study showed that cleaning with such products as little as once per week was as damaging over time to respiratory health as smoking a pack of cigarettes a day for 20 years!

About the Study

Starting in the 1990s, the Community Respiratory Health Survey began tracking a large population of 6,235 women and men with a beginning average age of 34 at 22 health centers in multiple countries. Over the next 20 years, participants were quizzed about their use of both spray and liquid home cleaning products and had their lung capacity tested regularly. Lung capacity was measured by breathing into a spirometer, an instrument that measures how much air you can exhale. Those with compromised lung function are not able to exhale as much volume as someone who is healthy.

Fifty-three percent of the participants were women and 44% were lifelong non-smokers. Analysis was adjusted for smokers and those with doctor-diagnosed asthma. Participant data was extensive, ensuring that each subject was well characterized, significantly reducing the likelihood of misrepresentation.

Once twenty years of data had been collected, the results were compiled and analyzed by a top team of 28 international researchers from nine countries, led by scientists at The University of Bergen in Norway. The study, titled Cleaning at Home and at Work in Relation to Lung Function Decline and Airway Obstruction, was recently published in the American Thoracic Society’s American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

The results confirm what Melaleuca has known for years: toxic chemical ingredients in national brand home cleaning products take a toll on the health of those who clean with them. The extent of the devastation is only now beginning to be uncovered.

Finding 1: Using national brand cleaners as little as once per week is as damaging to lung health as smoking 20 cigarettes per day.

By now, just about everyone knows the dangers of smoking cigarettes. Among their many hazards include depleted lung capacity—the result of damage to the tender internal tissues of the respiratory system. Lung capacity is important because it is a marker of overall health and fitness. The body depends on the lungs’ life-giving ability to oxygenate blood and expel carbon dioxide—the waste product of metabolism.

Decreased lung capacity can lead to obvious declines in fitness, but since the body is so dependent on oxygen exchange, whole systems of the body can be compromised when the lungs become even partially debilitated.

Shockingly, the study concluded that women who used home cleaning products at least once per week saw the same reduction in lung capacity as those who smoked a pack a day over the same period. According to the authors, “Women cleaning at home or working as occupational cleaners had accelerated decline in lung function, suggesting that exposures related to cleaning activities may constitute a risk to long-term respiratory health.”

Finding 2: Women are affected far more than men.

Though there was a clear correlation between women who cleaned and respiratory illness, there was less correlation for men. While the scientists pointed out that the total number of men regularly using household cleaning products was significantly lower than women, the study summary also points out previous research that elaborates the increased sensitivity in the female respiratory system.

This finding is particularly concerning when considering that the most sensitive members of the population are also those engaging with these products with the most frequency.

Finding 3: Cleaning at home is just as, if not more harmful, than being an occupational cleaner.

The study survey categorized participants as “not cleaning,” “cleaning at home,” and “occupational cleaning.” While the “not cleaning” subset of women saw only expected, age-related change in lung capacity, the “cleaning at home” group saw the same decreases in lung health as “occupational cleaning.” How could this be the case when cleaning professionals are using cleaning products on a daily, ongoing basis, versus someone performing chores less frequently in their own home?

First, consider that occupational cleaners are most often required to use protective gloves, clothing, and even masks while performing their duties. Those at home casually disregard warning labels and use cleaning products without adequate protection. Additionally, professional cleaners move from room to room, working in larger spaces with better ventilation than someone at home. In fact, using cleaning products within the relaxed, comfortable confines of home may actually lend to a general complacency that ultimately leads to impaired health.

Finding 4: Liquid cleaners are just as dangerous as sprays.

Study researchers originally suspected that products delivered through a spray or mist would prove more dangerous than those applied as a liquid, gel, or wipe. Surprisingly, the study found no significant difference between cleaner delivery types. The implication is that the chemicals in liquid cleaners become just as available for inhalation through evaporation as those used in sprays.

Finding 5: Dangerous chemical ingredients including ammonia, chlorine bleach, and quaternary disinfecting compounds appear to be primary culprits.

In their conclusions, the researchers stated, “one could hypothesize that long-term exposure to airway irritants such as ammonia and bleach used when cleaning at home could cause fibrotic or other interstitial changes in the lung tissue, thereby leading to accelerated decline of FVC (forced vital capacity).”

Finding 6: Women who regularly use cleaning products have increased rates of asthma.

Researchers found increased rates of asthma within the groups who used national brand cleaning products regularly. This echoes multiple recent studies that have clearly linked the use of dangerous chemical cleaning agents with the onset of asthma.

Finding 7: Damage is cumulative over time.

When toxic chemicals–like those found in most all national brand cleaning products–are regularly inhaled into the sensitive tissues within the lungs, it makes sense that respiratory problems would result. “Exposure to cleaning chemicals,” the researchers wrote, “could result in accelerated lung function decline and chronic airway obstruction; low-grade inflammation over many years could possibly lead to persistent damage to the airways.”

Simply stated, regular exposure to the toxins within the home never allow the respiratory system an opportunity to heal, creating a condition where internal damage accumulates. Dr. Cecile Svanes, a professor at the University of Bergen and senior author of the study said, “We feared that such chemicals, by steadily causing a little damage to the airways day after day, year after year, might accelerate the rate of lung function decline that occurs with age.”

What the Study Means for You

For most women who try to keep a clean, safe home, the results of the study are an imperative call to action.

If you haven’t done so already, now is the time to rid your home of the dangerous national cleaning products that contain so many harmful chemicals! What kinds of cleaners are to blame? Most all home cleaning products including disinfectants, kitchen cleaners, bathroom cleaners, toilet cleaners, shower and tub cleaners, scrubs, stain removers, floor cleaners, degreasers, window and glass cleaners, and surface cleaners.

Though the research results have gained some immediate public interest online and in the general news media, it is up to you to not only take care of your own home, but to warn friends, family, and neighbors of the very real consequences of using these conventional home cleaning products.

Only Melaleuca Offers a Solution

For more than three decades, Melaleuca scientists have formulated cleaning products that perform household chores with unparalleled results—without the cheap, widely available, dangerous chemicals national brands are known to contain. Our EcoSense® line has taken a firm stance on ingredients like ammonia, quaternary disinfectants, chlorine bleach, and other dangerous chemicals. We don’t use them! We never have and never will!

Instead, we use safer, biodegradable solutions that are found in nature, like plant-derived ingredients. We use thyme oil, surfactants from coconut and palm oil, natural enzymes, the same citric acid found in lemons, and 100% pure Melaleuca oil. This is why EcoSense cleaning products are so safe that no childproof caps are required. And it’s why you can clean your home with confidence—instead of holding your breath.

What’s more, EcoSense products are proven to perform. They clean as well or better than the competitive products that use dangerous ingredients. They provide a clean that is far greater than water alone could ever provide. And their advanced formulas clean better than other supposed “green” products by measurable margins. There is a reason Melaleuca has been the leader in safer-for-your-home cleaners for more than a generation.

Better Health Starts at Home

Melaleuca is committed to providing the products our customers need for the ultimate in healthy living. We are the Wellness Company. From supplements to foods to home cleaning products, the products you bring into your home do make a difference.

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We are pleased to see the scientific community draw unequivocal conclusions about topics we have been aware of for years. We are confident that as the facts about our competitors’ products become more widely known, more consumers than ever will seek out the products that only Melaleuca can provide.

Full Study: Cleaning at home and at work in relation to lung function decline and airway obstruction

A new 100% Safe Alternative

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