Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, mainly referred to as ALA, DHA, EPA, etc., have many benefits for the human body.
Among them, Baoma is most concerned about DHA, which has fewer food sources but is an important component of the brain and retina.
Recently, some fans commented that there is a very popular product fish oil DHA, of which the EPA content is higher than the DHA content, and it is also implied that it can improve children's memory and concentration? I want Daddy Hua to verify if it's true.
Flower dad has always believed that infants and young children should try to choose supplements with low EPA content. It's not that EPA will cause any harm to the baby, the statement that has been circulating before that "EPA will cause precocious puberty in the baby" can be said to be nonsense, and we have long debunked the rumor.
The real reason is:
(1) There are no scientific studies to prove the usefulness of EPA for infants and young children.
(2) In the "Dietary Nutrient Reference Intake for Chinese Residents (2013 Edition)", only the recommended intake of DHA for infants and young children, but no EPA intake requirement. The International Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the European Union only recommend the total amount of EPA+DHA for 2-year-old+ children.
△《Fats and fatty acids in human nutrition Report of an expert consultation》
What is the use of EPA for children?
Flower Dad consulted a lot of scientific research literature, and although EPA is not useful for infants (under 3 years old), the situation is somewhat different for children (over 3 years old):
(1) Improve attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder
Foreign studies have found that children with ADHD have lower marine fish intake than normal children (that is, less intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids DHA and EPA). The researchers gave children with ADHD additional omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids to improve their literacy and behavior.
▲《Omega-3 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Intake in Children with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder》
▲《Eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, cognition, and behavior in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A randomized controlled trial》
Chapter Chinese of the Journal of Dietary Supplements, Volume 17, Issue 1, states that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation alone, or in combination with other non-pharmacological treatments, can effectively improve children's mental health and reduce health problems, especially behavioral problems such as hyperactivity and poor concentration.
▲《Impact of Omega-3 Fatty Acids Among Other Nonpharmacological Interventions on Behavior and Quality of Life in Children with Compromised Conduct in Spain》
(2) Effective for dermatitis
The Journal of Pediatric Pharmacology and Therapeutics (2023), Volume 28, Issue 1, states that EPA can reduce the severity of atopic dermatitis (e.g., allergies) in children.
▲《Evaluating the Effect of Eicosapentaenoic Acid in Children With Atopic Dermatitis: A Randomized Triple-Blind Clinical Trial》
(3) Miscellaneous
In addition, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids also have a certain impact on childhood asthma, depression and other diseases. However, some results remain controversial, with some studies showing efficacy and others showing no significant change from normal.
Children over the age of 3 begin systematic knowledge learning, and some children show problems such as lack of concentration. Based on the above research, the combined effect of DHA+EPA, for children over 3 years old, DHA+EPA combined action has a certain effect on improving ADHD, inattention, and specific dermatitis in children.
Flower Dad suggests trying fish oil products with higher EPA content.
Little Superman fish oil test
This W*C superfish oil is a cross-border product from Belgium, with high EPA and DHA content, and an additional 500IU of vitamin D. VD not only promotes calcium absorption, maintains the development of children's bones and teeth, but also participates in immune regulation in the body, which can improve the body's immunity and improve the ability to fight inflammation and infection.
Ordinary fish oil has a heavy fishy smell, and this W*C little superman fish oil is a fruity jelly type, which should be easier for children to accept.
In addition to fish oil, many ingredients are also added to the ingredients, mainly to retain water, stabilize, antioxidant, improve taste and other functions, are some naturally extracted safer ingredients, safe for children.
*Samples of this evaluation were purchased at WHC Mother and Baby Overseas Flagship Store
Detection metrics
Hua Dad sent the following indicators of this W*C little superman fish oil:
Background reply keyword "fish oil" to get the test report
DHA, EPA content
The product claims to have high levels of DHA and EPA, and the measured values should be close to the declared values.
Brief summary:
Both DHA and EPA content were measured in accordance with the labeled values and performed well.
Vitamin D content
The measured value of this fish oil VD reached 647.1IU/capsule, which meets the general requirements of nutrition labeling of prepackaged foods and can meet the VD needs of children for one day.
rTG structure fish oil absorption rate is higher?
The detail page of W*C Little Superman this fish oil advertises a more advanced rTG structure with a higher absorption rate. After checking the literature, Hua Dad found that the rTG structure of fish oil has a higher absorption rate.
Fish oil generally has three structures: EE (ethyl ester type), TG (triglyceride type) and rTG (reconstituted triglyceride type). The rTG structure fish oil process is more complex, the fish oil is higher in purity, content, and easier absorption, and the absorption rate is up to 4 times higher than that of EE structure fish oil.
▲《A randomized clinical trial to determine the efficacy of manufacturers’ recommended doses of omega-3 fatty acids from different sources in facilitating cardiovascular disease risk reduction》
security
According to recent sampling information, the heavy metals exceeding the standard of aquatic animals and their products are mainly methylmercury and inorganic arsenic, and Hua Dad also sent these two safety indicators for inspection.
Neither was detected and met the requirements.
summary
After the actual measurement of Hua Dad, the content of W*C little superhuman fish oil DHA, EPA and VD is high, and all of them are similar to the labeled values, and methylmercury and inorganic arsenic have not been detected, and the quality is good.
In addition to being used as a DHA supplement, fish oil is also suitable for children over 3 years of age who are hyperactive, inattentive, and have specific dermatitis.