Omega 3 capsules (merged)

mysterymum

I have just tried the new milk with omega 3 and my son has been drinking it for 2 weeks with out realising! He would NEVER take any of the other supliments, I tried them all. It is not very consentrated but it has to be better than nothing.

Ted_Hutchinson

Are you able to say how much omega3 it has. I haven't yet seen any in the shops round here.

HappySad

Does anyone know if it is OK to take Omega 3 suppliments while you are trying for a baby or pregnant? Would I need a lower level of EPA & DHA?

I saw the SuperDrug Omega for Kids which is EPA 54 and DHA37 for children over 3years old. Is this level OK for a young child - £3 for a month supply. What level would a 2year old require (my son's age)?

From what I have read the SuperDrug "Omega3 High" with EPA 310 and DHA 190 would be no good. £3.49 for two months supply. So would you take two tables unstead of the recommended one tables a day.

Ted_Hutchinson

The recommended intake of EPA + DHA should be 1.4 g/daily with a 1:2.5 EPA-DHA.

Implications for Improving Mental Health Among Childbearing-Aged Women.

Similar results were obtained when analyzing separately for effects on the milk content of DHA. Dietary supplementation with 2.7 g LCPUFA(n-3) per day from week 30 of gestation and onward more than tripled the LCPUFA(n-3) content in early breast milk; supplementation limited to pregnancy only was much less effective.

From the research I've been reading not only will taking Omega throughout your pregnancy improve your chances of not getting depressed either during or after the event but it will reduce the chances of your having a premature delivery. It will also ensure the building blocks are there for the brain of the developing child.
As you can see from the quotes above there is some disagreement about how much you should take. For normal use 1.5g of OMEGA 3 is a fairly standard amount recognised in those countries where they have got their omega act together. You can get that amount from one teaspoon of the ZIPVIT Omega Juice If you chose to follow the last quote you would need two teaspoons daily. I take two teaspoons but I don't think it will affect my chances of getting pregnant. http://img.moneysavingexpert.com/icons/icon12.gif

Trials have shown that a higher maternal docosahexaenoic acid intake during pregnancy may be favourable for the visual and cognitive development of the offspring. The significant positive association between maternal docosahexaenoic acid intake during pregnancy and the children's mental processing scores at 4 years suggest that optimization of the docosahexaenoic acid status of expectant women may offer long-term developmental benefits to their children.

flossy_splodge

There was a discussion on the box recently that said supplements of Omega 3 are not very effective and the best way to boost intake of Omega 3 is through adjustment of diet. Something to do with the form it comes in when packaged in a bottle and the bodies ability to break it down easily and fully. Eat the salmon!!

aliasojo

I bought the Zipvit Omega Juice recently and it arrived extremely quickly. I can recommend this company for good service. Thing is, it's been sat in the fridge as I'm having to gee myself up to take it.

When I was pregnant with my middle child, I went overdue and was told by a friend (HA!) to take loads of castor oil mixed with orange juice to try to start my labour. I took a whole bottle over the course of an afternoon and I have NEVER forgotten the vile slimey taste of it to this day. (Son is 16 now) I have trouble drinking fresh orange juice without retching and any oil (like cod liver oil) I have taken up till now, has had to be by capsule.

I have to say though, the Zipvit stuff seems of a thinner more pleasant consistancy. I'll let you know about taste tomorrow, if my nerves hold out. :rotfl:

Alternatively I'll road test it on my 6 year old!

Ted_Hutchinson

flossy_splodge wrote:

There was a discussion on the box recently that said supplements of Omega 3 are not very effective and the best way to boost intake of Omega 3 is through adjustment of diet. Something to do with the form it comes in when packaged in a bottle and the bodies ability to break it down easily and fully. Eat the salmon!!

While I would support the idea of regularly eating oily fish (eg salmon) from the research I've read I feel the consensus of opinion is that oily fish should be limited to a maximum of four portions a week or the benefits of real fish are outweighed by the potential risks posed by pesticides and mercury. This is why the safest route which has been proved consistently in the 245 research papers relating to Omega 3 and pregnancy at Pubmed is to use fish oil supplements.

Edit: The Food Standards Agency MAXIMUM intake of fresh fish for those who are pregnant or hoping to become so, or breast feeding, is TWO portions of oily fish a week. FSA fish consumption recommendations

Women can safely commence omega 3 intake in early pregnancy to allow the full benefits to be incorporated into the body. Pregnant women should consider the intake of omega 3 oils and evening primrose oil throughout pregnancy in order possibly to prevent preterm delivery, promote an easier birth, assist the baby's brain and eye health and preprogram the baby's cell membranes for optimum lifelong wellness. Benefits to the mother may include prevention of postnatal depression and the comfort of knowing that she is giving her baby a healthy start in life.

Ted_Hutchinson

aliasojo wrote:

I have to say though, the Zipvit stuff seems of a thinner more pleasant consistancy. I'll let you know about taste tomorrow, if my nerves hold out. :rotfl:

It's really not that bad though I don't actually like it, I don't wince when I take it any more. It's far better than taking the masses of capsules you'd need to get the equivalent amount of EPA and DHA. There are extra strong fish oil liquids but they are straight oil and so the fish oil flavour isn't masked at all. If you take it before breakfast and have a drink ready to wash it down you'll not notice it.

aliasojo

Ted_Hutchinson wrote:

If you take it before breakfast and have a drink ready to wash it down you'll not notice it.

I'm just wondering if I could hide it in a drink. It's only a teaspoon so it wouldn't be like my caster oil fiasco.

Oh well, soon see. (aliasojo slinks off before someone shouts at her for being more childish than her child!)

Thanks Ted.

Savvy_Sue

Omega supplements on the Health Board are a bit like vinegar and bicarb over on Old Style, good for anything ...