EFAs for Kids

You know the importance of essential fatty acids, but how do you get them into your kids?

Essential Fatty Acids for Good Health
By Jane Sheppard

EFA Deficiencies

Superimmunity for Kids by Leo Galland, M.D. with Dian Dincin Buchman, Ph.D. is an excellent book on child nutrition and maintaining a healthy immune system. Through his research and clinical work, Dr. Galland has found that essential fatty acids (EFAs) are critical to a healthy immune system. He says "we are in the midst of a nationwide epidemic of EFA deficiencies that is undermining the health of our children."

EFAs are essential because your child needs them to be healthy and her body can't make them. They must be supplied by the diet. There are numerous health problems associated with EFA deficiencies. These include hair loss, eczema-like skin eruptions, susceptibility to infections, arthritis-like conditions, liver or kidney degeneration, growth retardation and vision or learning problems.

Different Types of Fats

It's important to know about the different types of fats so you can give your child the good fats and avoid the harmful ones. Fatty acids come in two varieties: saturated and unsaturated. Saturated fats come from animal products such as meat and dairy. These fats are not essential since your child's body makes all she needs. Saturated fats are totally unnecessary and they interfere with your child’s ability to use EFAs efficiently. Most vegetable oils are unsaturated. But be very careful about vegetable oils. Not all unsaturated fatty acids are essential. If your child eats a lot of unsaturated fatty acids that are nonessential, they can interfere (even more than saturated fats) with her body's ability to use EFAs.

Unfortunately, many of the popular oils used today are nonessential fats and many are hydrogenated. Hydrogenation is a manufacturing process that converts unsaturated fats into saturated fats to prolong shelf life. Read the labels of foods you buy in the grocery store. Hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated vegetable oils are found in margarine, shortening, commercial baked goods and processed foods. Hydrogenation physically alters any EFAs in the oil, which creates artificial fatty acids. Dr. Galland states that "These artificial fatty acids are not only unnatural and unnecessary, they can have a disastrous effect on your child's body's ability to use EFAs."

There are two kinds of EFAs: omega-6 is found in safflower, sunflower, corn and evening primrose oils. The other is omega-3. Flaxseeds are rich in omega-3 EFAs. Walnuts and soybeans also contain significant amounts as well as freshly ground wheat germ. Whole or ground up flaxseeds can be found in bulk at most health food stores. Dried beans, such as great northern, kidney, navy and soybeans are inexpensive sources of both omega-6 and omega-3 EFAs. Certain fish are very rich in EFAs. The body can convert EFAs from fish more easily than other forms. The best fish are salmon, tuna, mackerel, bluefish, sardines and herring.

Providing EFAs to Your Children

Sometimes it's hard to get your children to eat enough of the above foods. Flaxseed oil is one of the best and most practical ways to supply EFAs to children. It should be organic, unrefined and expeller or cold-pressed (made without added heat). You can find it at any health food store. Flaxseed oil has very little taste and most children will take it by the spoonful at the following doses (recommended by Dr. Galland), depending on age:

One to two years - 1 teaspoon a day  

Two to three years - 2 teaspoons a day  

Three and up - 1 tablespoon a day 

You can use flaxseed oil in salad dressings or mix it in with your child's favorite foods. I’ve been mixing it with Rice Dream Non-dairy Pudding for years. Flaxseed oil, like any other oil, needs to be refrigerated and tightly covered in a dark container. Throw it out if it tastes even slightly bitter, since it is rancid. Do not use it as a cooking oil because heat will destroy the EFAs. Flaxseeds can be used in baking and other dishes. Be creative and you will find what works best for your child.

---> Recommended: Super Healthy Kids - No more chronic infections, allergies, or sickly kids! Ground-breaking new report provides valuable information on boosting your child's immune system to prevent disease.