Global Search
Whole Story
The Official Whole Foods Market® Blog
Boost your Back to School Brain Power
| Meet the Blogger | More Posts by Mara Fleishman
EFAs (essential fatty acids) are crucial for healthy growing brains and mental function. Here is straight and simple info to help you understand EFAs and how to find the ones that support children’s focus and brain function.
Douglas MacKay is a licensed naturopathic doctor who serves as Nordic Naturals Research Advisor. He is Founder of Makai Naturopathic Center in Dover, NH.
31 Comments
Comments
The difference between EPA, DHA, and ALA has finally clicked! Thanks!
10/18/2009 9:08:09 AM CDT
Even though I have been giving fish oil supplements for years, I did not know the effect of DHA and behaviors such as enhancing concentration and focus. Will have to boost their intake, especially for my busy Grade 1 son! Great podcast!
10/18/2009 2:19:35 PM CDT
Thanks for the information....
10/19/2009 8:30:16 AM CDT
I'm so glad to hear there are more people talking about this. We've become such a "fat-phobic" culture that and our kids are suffering. Thanks for a great podcast.
10/20/2009 11:11:42 AM CDT
I've been learning a good bit about EFA's the last few months...this podcast was a great refresher of everything I'd heard and read!
10/23/2009 4:49:13 PM CDT
Thanks for info about deflating flatulence when eating beans. A sprinkle of Ginger powder [added to the bowl] has been a great help to me for many years.
09/23/2009 3:17:45 PM CDT
I would like information on omega 3. For example what foods contain this other than fish. What type of vitiamn can I purchase that has omega 3 in it.
Thank you,
09/24/2009 2:42:47 AM CDT
I've been occasionally supplementing with EFA's, I keep falling off the bandwagon though. This has given me the push to start back to them. Thanks!
10/24/2009 6:56:30 PM CDT
Me and my son are vegetarian. We eat eggs and take flax seed oil. Does this mean that we are not getting enough of the "right" EFA's????
09/26/2009 4:39:20 PM CDT
Great information! My girls have nut allergies, so it is important for them to get a supplement. I Will look into Nordic Naturals. Thanks!
10/16/2009 1:13:36 PM CDT
Bring on the fatty acids!
10/16/2009 4:42:07 PM CDT
Great info not just for school bound kids but adults, too.
10/17/2009 9:36:14 AM CDT
I was wondering about a friend og mine who is vegan due to religious reasons. Her son has attention and focus issues and I've suggested flax and hemp oils. Is there some sort of replacement for the DHA and other EFAs that are animal based?
Otherwise, this was a very informative podcast. Thank you!
10/17/2009 9:43:16 AM CDT
Wonderful explanation of different EFAs. We often eat fish and have added fish oil supplement to our diet, this is a great reminder of why.
10/17/2009 9:59:34 AM CDT
This is such a wonderful information site! I have 2 kids in school and my oldest has had alot of concentration issues in school her Dr. put her on A.D.D. med's and i don't feel good about this she has dropped weight she does not need to loose and i don't feel she should be on this medication. The omega 3's you were discussing sounds more of what she needs to be getting because i think the med.s she's taking is doing more harm than good.
photoquest(at)bellsouth(dot)net
10/17/2009 10:29:02 AM CDT
thanks for the reminders!
10/17/2009 10:39:54 PM CDT
Great reminders on the importance of EFAs. It is difficult to get my children to take in the nutrients they need... Especially because of their food allergies, but also because kids tend to be picky eaters.
10/18/2009 11:04:32 AM CDT
I knew that Omega-3s were important for brain function but had no idea they were also helpful for immunity and behavior. Thanks for the info!
10/18/2009 11:16:39 AM CDT
Off to look for supplements as my son has nut allergies too. Thank you for the info.
10/18/2009 12:01:33 PM CDT
I knew that Omega-3s were important for brain function but had no idea they were also helpful for immunity and behavior. Thanks for the info!
10/18/2009 10:50:51 AM CDT
I need to get back into getting Fish Oil for my family... I know it definitely helped in the past.
10/21/2009 8:06:37 AM CDT
Great info presented in a clear & concise manner. It provided lots of facts that I didn't understand previously
10/19/2009 2:12:56 PM CDT
Thanks for this great reminder to get enough EFAs!
10/20/2009 2:36:29 PM CDT
This was enlightening for me--there's always so much info flying around out there, it's good to have an expert explain it all! I didn't realize that EFAs had such an impact on a person's brain. More nuts and oils to my diet!
10/14/2009 2:01:16 PM CDT
A great reminder. I used to give my kids the Nordic Naturals for a couple of years but then stopped. I'm glad to be reminded of how important the EFA's are.
10/14/2009 2:24:02 PM CDT