Keeping the family healthy and fit is a full time job for parents. Anything that can help  everyone from Mum and Dad to teens to tweens to smallies to bump feel strong and healthy is a bonus. Here’s the truth about Omega-3s and why they are essential for you and your family:

Mums are amazing… they are often the glue that holds everything together even when they feel like they may fall apart. Mums are professional jugglers, often jumping from work commitments to family life filled with school runs, dinners, house work and a multitude of after-school activities.

With so many things to juggle, it is vital that you eat a healthy balanced diet rich in omega-3s to ensure your brain receives all the nutrients it needs to be on top form.

Essential to Good Health

The really important fatty acids are the “Essential fatty acids”, termed “essential” as the body cannot make them and therefore they must be obtained through the diet.

The best source of omega-3 is oily fish (sardines, salmon, anchovies, fresh tuna and mackerel). Oily fish provides the most beneficial fatty acids, commonly referred to as EPA and DHA, which are absolutely necessary for normal health and development. Without them, cells can’t function, renew, or maintain themselves properly.

Omega 3s support brain, eye, and heart health throughout life. Surprisingly, a massive 89% of Irish people are not consuming sufficient oily fish in their diet, so often there is a need to take a good quality omega-3 fish oil such as Eskimo-3, winner of the Rude Health Awards for the past 3 years.

Love your Heart, Fuel your Brain – Eskimo-3!

Taking a daily fish oil supplement, naturally rich in omega-3, can support your heart, brain, joints and skin and is a simple way to safeguard your health. Eskimo-3 is committed to delivering safe, sustainably sourced, effective omega-3.

Be Smart, Choose Eskimo-3: Ireland’s Favourite Omega-3!

Visit www.eskimo3.ie for more information!

You might also enjoy reading 10 Good Tips to Keep Your Child Healthy This School Year

Why Omega-3 Is Vital For Mum

We all have those moments, whether it’s forgetting the name of the movie we saw last month (‘You know, the one with your man from the place, ooh, what was he called again?’), or where we put the car keys – aaaargh! Mostly, it’s because we have busy lives and so many things to juggle. There’s also the fact that the brain shrinks over time so extra nourishment is essential to good brain function.

The brain contains more than 100 billion cells working together to process information, form memories and recall. Each cell has an outer membrane which is actually made up of fat (lipids). Believe it or not, the typical human brain is actually about 60% fat, so we obviously need to include fats in our diets if we want to keep ‘mission control’ up and running.

It’s no surprise that omega-3 is so beneficial to brain health. The importance of these fatty acids becomes most obvious when they’re lacking. People who don’t get enough omega-3s in their diet can become demotivated, disinterested, forgetful and may experience low mood.

Omega-3 DHA shields against age-related mental decline, improving both learning and memory in older adults. Scientific studies found that people with a higher level of DHA are significantly less likely to develop dementia and Alzheimer’s than people with a lower level of DHA.

In past few years, scientists have started to look at omega-3’s potential to help in the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders. Interestingly, liu et al (2013) showed the people with anxiety had lower levels of omega-3 EPA and DHA compared with those without anxiety symptoms.

The power of Omega 3s in helping to protect our cardiovascular systems, normalizing and regulating triglyceride levels in the blood, reducing LDL (bad) cholesterol and increasing HDL (good) cholesterol levels simply cannot be overstated.

Being a mum means that life is always going to be busy, so make sure you are feeding your body the healthy fats you need either by eating oily fish (sardines, salmon, anchovies, fresh tuna and mackerel) twice a week or supplementing with a high quality fish oil such as Eskimo-3.

** It’s important to note that omega-3 in seeds doesn’t provide the omega-3 DHA required for brain function – oily fish is the only direct source.

Ideal Eskimo Product for busy mums:- Eskimo-3 or Eskimo Brain 369. Eskimo-3 is perfect if you eat plenty of nuts, seeds and foods rich in healthy fats. Eskimo Brain 369 contains omega-3 from fish and omega-6 and 9 from seeds and healthy oils. Eskimo Brain 369 is rich in GLA, therefore recommended for women who need to balance their hormones.

Vital During Pregnancy for Mother & Baby

Omega-3 DHA is essential during pregnancy to ensure optimal foetal brain, eye, and immune and nervous system development.

In a number of studies, scientists have found that the children of women who consumed Omega 3s scored well in developmental and behavioral testing, while women who had no access to Omega-3 DHA – either through eating oily fish or in supplemental form were more likely to report “suboptimal outcomes.”

If a woman’s stores are low, this can increase the risk of postnatal depression.

Ideal Eskimo Product for Pregnancy and breastfeeding:- Eskimo-3

Brain Food for Kids

Studies show that taking an omega-3 supplement actually helps kids concentrate better in school, making it one of the smartest supplements your family can take.

Children need Omega 3 for every stage of their development. It boosts their brains, strengthens their immune systems and lifts their mood. Without these important fats, it can become difficult for children to concentrate, learn new information, and balance their moods properly.

A 2012 study found Omega 3 DHA had a profound improvement in reading age, concentration and learning ability in children, lower levels of DHA were attributed to poorer reading and impaired performance.

Eskimo-3 Kids contains Omega-3,6 and 9 rich in DHA to support children’s brain and eye development and vitamin D3, needed to build strong bones and healthy immune systems which helps the body to fight off infections; making it a very important supplement during back to school time.

Ideal Eskimo Product for Children:- Eskimo-3 Kids or Eskimo-3 Kids Chewable DHA+

Teens Need Omega-3 Too

Teenagers require omega-3 and healthy omega-6 GLA to help boost brain power and regulate hormones and balance mood. Students require at least 250mg omega-3 DHA daily while studying for exams. Just as calcium is essential in building strong bones, DHA is essential for good brain health.

Increasing your level of omega-3 can lead to improved memory and concentration, less anxiety, overall making it easier to study. Teenagers sitting the junior cert or leaving cert really need a constant supply of omega-3s to help keep them focused and reach their full potential in school.

Unless your child/ teen is eating 2-3 portions of oily fish (sardines, anchovies, mackerel, salmon) a week, an omega-3 food supplement is a must.

Ideal Eskimo Product for Teens:- Eskimo Brain 369

How Much Omega-3 Do I Need?

Studies show that you need 250mg DHA daily to support brain health. Eating oily fish twice a week – such as salmon or sardines, provides a healthy dose of omega-3 EPA/DHA.

Not a fish fan? Choose a high quality fish oil supplement such as Eskimo Brain 3.6.9. Check your preferred supplement to see that you are getting adequate DHA, as often supplements can fall short.

Taking a daily fish oil supplement, naturally rich in omega-3, can support your heart, brain, joints and skin and is a simple way to safeguard your health.

Eskimo-3 is committed to delivering safe, sustainably sourced, effective omega-3.

Be Smart, Choose Eskimo-3: Ireland’s Favourite Omega-3! Exclusive to Health Stores, Pharmacies and online at www.eskimo3.ie