How does Omega 3 benefit our children’s brains?

How does Omega 3 benefit our children’s brains? We all have heard of Omega 3 but how exactly does it benefit our children, especially their brain? We take a look at how from the early stages of pregnancy throughout childhood.

Our bodies require essential fatty acids to function optimally. Among these fatty acids, DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) is especially important during pregnancy and infancy as it has been linked to numerous health benefits. Studies have shown that our brains are 60% fat, of which 20% should be Omega 3 fatty acids such as DHA. Therefore, it is important for pregnant women and infants to get sufficient amounts of DHA in their diet in order to ensure the best possible growth and development.

There is no way about it, Omega 3 fatty acids are essential for the development of a healthy brain. It is especially important for the formation of synapses between neurons, which is known as synaptogenesis. Research has shown that babies with Omega 3/DHA deficient diets have a higher risk of developing cognitive and learning impairments later in life. DHA, in particular, plays a critical role in this process.

Omega 3 fatty acids, specifically DHA, have been shown to have a positive effect on brain volume. Studies have found that people who consume higher levels of Omega 3 in their diets have increased grey matter in certain areas of the brain. This is important for cognitive function and overall health.

So how do we make sure our children and ourselves are getting enough Omega 3? The best way to achieve this is either from supplements such as AvaCare Child Multi-Vitamins with Omega 3 (which our children LOVE) or from your diet. Foods such as fish, nuts and seeds are rich in Omega 3.

Child Multi Vitamin & Minerals + Omega 3

Omega 3 continues to benefit your health throughout adulthood, helping to keep your heart, lungs, blood vessels and your immune system working the way they should be.

You may or may not know that Vitamin K is a nutrient that was discovered in 1929 and is split into two forms. Vitamin K1 is mainly for supporting blood clots, while vitamin K2 is mainly used for reducing heart disease and boosting bone health.

Reason 1: How does vitamin K2 reduce heart disease?

In the UK, around 3% of the population suffer from heart disease, and most of these cases can easily be prevented.

One way heart disease is caused is calcium deposits slowly blocking up arteries over time. When this happens less blood and oxygen can reach the heart so this can increase the risk of a heart attack and heart disease. Vitamin K2 helps to prevent that and delivers calcium straight to the bones.

“But can’t vitamin K1 deliver the same results?” Nope, it’s proven that Vitamin K1 has been found ineffective when it comes to reducing heart disease.

Reason 2: Vitamin K2 and helping bone health:

Osteoporosis is a serious bone condition that causes bones to become weaker and less dense than usual. This leads to the affected bones being damaged or broken easier than others.

Vitamin K2 helps prevent bone disease by modifying a protein to allow it to bind to minerals contained within bones to help prevent calcium loss. This is important because calcium is the main ingredient in making bones, and provides the foundation for good bone strength and structure throughout the body.

Reason 3: K2 and dental health:

Vitamin K2 helps with the condition of not only the bones but teeth as well. This is because vitamin K2 works together with vitamin D. Calcium removed from the bloodstream is used by the organism to strengthen bones and teeth. One theory (that is yet to be proven) is that vitamin K2 may be able to help prevent tooth cavities.

Reason 4: How K2 helps to fight cancer:

A variety of studies have found that vitamin K2 can help to reduce certain types of cancer. Studies show that taking vitamin K2 can reduce the chances of liver cancer returning. K2 may also increase the chances of survival.

Another study with 11,000 men participating has suggested that if men consume vitamin K2 regularly they will reduce the chance of having prostate cancer by 63%.

More studies are being done to see if K2 can help when it comes to other types of cancer.

Reason 5: K2 and Skin Benefits:

Since K2 helps remove calcium build-ups and places the calcium in required places, K2 helps remove calcium deposits from soft tissues.

Calcium deposits cause elastin fibres. When these fibres harden it causes skin wrinkles, K2 activates proteins to inhibit this. Vitamin K2 can help with acne problems and other skin conditions. In skincare, Vitamin K2 improves the work of Vitamin A which is a key for cell growth.

Summary 

The use of vitamin K2, either through food or supplementation, will improve overall health by strengthening bones and eliminating calcium deposits in the arteries that may potentially cause problems in the future. The problem with finding Vitamin K2 in foods is that it is difficult to find it at the level required.

The Japanese food Natto, made from fermented soybeans, is one of the richest food sources. Natto can also be found in Eels and Beef liver, but all of these require a certain taste recognition, which is why we thought that a vegan vitamin K2 spray would be more appealing! Check out

References:

[Accessed 19 Jan. 2022].

Let’s make the world a little better! ????

 

Over the last few months, we have been working with local food banks and organisations to help give back to families in need. We know it’s a difficult time for a lot of families right now, but we strongly believe that every person should have access to the supplements they need.

We have donated over 3000 of our Immunity C Liposomal so far and continue to work with other organisations to reach even more families.

Our work with Vitamin Angles UK also continues.

Nyulen from Phom tribe with her 11-month-old son Nojmei during the Vitamin A distribution camp, in village Oushok, Longleng District, Nagaland, India. Photo Release no. ñ IN21-R313 Photo by Rohit Jain for Vitamin Angels India * An accredited social health activist (ASHA ñ Community Health Worker)

AvaCare donates a percentage of sales from our website to Vitamin Angels UK. Vitamin Angels are a worldwide charity set up by Howard Schiffer. Howard has a passion for making the world a healthier and better place, his work has resulted in the charity helping thousands of children and women and giving them the opportunity to have a healthy and meaningful life.

For every £1, we help Vitamin Angels UK reach 4 pregnant women or children throughout the UK and around the world with life-changing nutritional support. We would like to thank you for allowing us to support such an amazing charity.

If you would like to donate to Vitamins Angles, all customers are given the chance to donate further at checkout.

Both vitamins D3 and K2 are fat-soluble vitamins, meaning that these vitamins are absorbed and transported by the body in a similar way to fats. One of the roles of these two vitamins is to support the body when utilising calcium, strengthening our bones and protecting our hearts.

 

Vitamin D3, the most consumed vitamin

Vitamin D popularity has increased over the last months, achieving to be the most popular food supplement in the UK according to the Health on the Nation Survey, 2021[1]. This is also because the NHS recommends adults and children to consume vitamin D, especially during autumn and winter. Moreover, there have been some reports about vitamin D reducing the risk of COVID-19, which can be found on the NHS website[2].

 

 

 

Vitamin K2, the unknown vitamin with impressive benefits

However, vitamin K2 is a hot vitamin, researched by the only world leader of Vitamin K2, NattoPharma. This new vitamin contributes to coagulation and is essential in building and maintaining strong bones, as well as supporting the transportation of calcium to the arteries and blood vessels.

Read more about the benefits of this amazing vitamin on our blog

 

 

The reason why Vitamin D3 and K2 should always go together

Vitamin D3 and K2 have been found to be some of the few vitamins that better work together. After much scientifical research developed on the synergy between Vitamin D3 and Vitamin K2,  NattoPharma has confirmed that ‘supplements with D3 should always include vitamin K2 for the best health outcome[1]’ to avoid poor bone quality and higher fracture risk.

AvaCare takes very seriously the research developed by leaders like NattoPharma, reason why we created our D3 products in conjunction with Vitamin K2. We predict that, in a few years any serious Vitamin D product will also contain Vitamin K2.

 

AvaCare D3 and K2 products include D3+K2 Child and D3+K2 Adult

 

[1] https://menaq7.com/bettertogether/

[1] https://hfma.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/hfm_health-of-the-nation_17.pdf

[2] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/