Fish Oil and Kids

• Despite well-documented benefits for adults, parents need to check with a doctor before giving fish oil to their children. That's because few studies have examined fish oil benefits for youth, according to National Center for Health Statistics and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM).
  
  

Ongoing Studies

• Scientists are studying the effects of fish oil in children. Some researchers are working to determine whether fish oil helps children who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or asthma. These studies are in preliminary stages, so evidence still is inconclusive, according to NCCAM.
  
  

No Child Recommendations

• Adults typically take 3 to 9 g of fish oil daily. However, there is no recommended daily dose for a child.
  
  

Side Effects

• Fish oil sometimes causes stomach upset, diarrhea, heart burn and other gastrointestinal problems in adults. Researchers have not studied side effects in kids.
  
  

Common Dietary Supplements

• Many children do take fish oil. In fact, it's the second most popular children's dietary supplement, according to a 2007 survey done by the National Center for Health Statistics and NCCAM. Echinacea is the No. 1 dietary supplement.
  
  

Natural Does Not Mean Safe

• Fish oil supplements are "natural" products. That means people also can find fish oil in food. Supplement manufacturers do not have to prove that they are safe and effective before marketing their products. They only have to indicate the supplement targets a nutrient deficiency.