... I've been using the Equazen liquid but for a change thought I'd try out these chews.
They're suitable for adults and children from the age of three. If you're wanting to supplement your baby with omega 3, they also make an eye q baby. Omega 3 is found in naturally oily fish such as salmon, ... Read review
Advantages: Taste yummy, kids love them, good source of omega 3's Disadvantages: Can be expensive
...3. I've been using the Equazen liquid but for a change thought I'd try out these chews.
They're suitable for adults and children from the age of three. If you're wanting to supplement your baby with omega 3, they also make an eye q baby. Omega 3 is found in naturally oily fish such as salmon, sardines and mackerel. However, my kids don't seem to like any oily fish, how strange, so taking supplements seems to be the next best choice. ...natural vitamin E (as D-Alpha tocopherol, from IP-soy); Capsule shell (glycerol, gelatine, purified water, xylitol, strawberry flavour, powdered cellulose, colour: carmine).
For lots more information on Equazen and the other products in their range, you can find out here: http://www.equazen.co.uk/
Over the last few years, there has been a lot of media coverage regarding the benefits of omega 3 fish oils. Study after study proves that a diet rich in these essential fatty oils can help keep our brains and hearts healthy. Of particular interest to me is its effect on children where those with a high intake of omega 3 have shown dramatic improvements in their concentration levels as well as apparently making them 'brainier'.
A few years ago I decided there must be something in this and started buying different types of supplements containing Omega 3. I've been using the Equazen liquid but for a change thought I'd try out these chews.
They're suitable for adults and children from the age of three. If you're wanting to supplement your baby with omega 3, they also make an eye q baby. Omega 3 is found in naturally oily fish such as salmon, sardines and mackerel. However, my kids don't seem to like any oily fish, how strange, so taking supplements seems to be the next best choice.
The chews come in a handy plastic bottle with a flip top lid. It's not child proof, so if your kids take a liking to them, make sure they're kept out of reach. They are packaged in bottles containing either 60 or 180 capsules.
They're flavoured strawberry, which I thought sounded like a tasty way to obtain fish oils. A good omega 3 supplement should contain EPA and DHA. Those with a higher level of EPA are supposedly more beneficial for helping brain functioning. These chews do contain a higher level of the EPA fatty acid compared with other brands that I've checked. They also contain omega 6.
As their name suggests, you chew these rather than swallow them whole. They're covered with a red, partially translucent, soft and chewy shell which is made from glycerol, gelatine, xylitol (a safe sweetener), strawberry flavour, powdered cellulose, and carmine to colour give it its colour. The liquid inside is clear.
The instructions recommend that when you begin taking these chews for the first time, you should chew 6 capsules per day. This is to help build up a store of the fatty acid in your body. After 12 weeks, you drop the amount down to 2 chews per day. I have to take them at their word on this point and not assume they're just trying to make me finish the bottle quickly so I have to buy another one!
So, what are they like? Once you pop one into your mouth, your taste buds sense the strawberry taste, which is quite nice, a bit like strawberry jelly. Once you chew or bite, the shell bursts and releases the liquid contents. This doesn't affect the taste and the flavour remains the same. I'm not sure whether the liquid is flavoured strawberry too, or whether it's just the outer coating that provides the flavour. Either way, it's quite a pleasant taste. Once you've swallowed the liquid, you're left with the empty capsule in your mouth. This is a bit like chewing on a wine gum, not unpleasant and it dissolves after a few chews.
My kids like these, particularly because the outer coating is easy to eat. I've purchased other brands of omega 3 capsules where the outer coating remains in their mouths like a piece of plastic and they refuse to eat them.
Are they any brainier now? Well, I can't say for sure since they always were smart kids anyway, but I would say that wouldn't I. I'll probably keep buying these but they are expensive when compared with other brands. However, I prefer the ingredients in the eye q range. I also like the fact that they stress fatty oils are naturally-sourced.
~~~How much Omega 3 Do We Need?~~~
According to the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition and the Committee on Toxicity, we should aim to consume at least 450mg of omega 3 per day or 3,000mg per week. This equates to about 2 portions of oily fish a week.
~~~ Availability and Price ~~~
You can find these in branches of Boots and Superdrug but recently the major supermarkets have been stocking them.
They are usually priced at around £8.99 for 60 or £22.99 for 180. This seems like a lot but if you or your kids don't like eating fish, this is a really useful and tasty way of obtaining your omega 3's. A bottle of 60 should last for one month based on 2 capsules per day. Boots often include these as part of a three for two deal which is how I buy my eye q's.
~~~Nutritional Information~~~
Per 2 capsules: Fish Oil (Omega 3): EPA 186mg, DHA 58mg, Evening Primrose oil (omega 6) 200mg, Gamma Linolenic acid 20mg, Natural vitamin E 3.6mg. ~~~Ingredients~~~
Filling: Hi-EPA fish oil, Evening primprose oil, strawberry flavour, natural vitamin E (as D-Alpha tocopherol, from IP-soy); Capsule shell (glycerol, gelatine, purified water, xylitol, strawberry flavour, powdered cellulose, colour: carmine).
For lots more information on Equazen and the other products in their range, you can find out here: http://www.equazen.co.uk/
