Expert: Dr. Kristina Conner - 1/26/2007

Question
Thanks for all the information. I really appreciate it. I actually wanted to ask you more about fish oil supplements. I have ordered some supplements for myself,also Nordic Naturals. It has 850 mg of EPA and 250 mg of DHA. I am trying fish oil to help with multiple problems. First, I tend to have anxiety, so I am currently taking lexapro but I would like to stop taking it and just take a natural alternative. I have heard that fish oil can help with depression/anxiety. Also, I have constipation pretty often and I have read that fish oil might help with this. I have also heard that it can help with high cholesterol,which I have. Well, any more information you can give me on fish oil and its benefits would be appreciated. Thanks so much for all your help!
-------------------------------------------
The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Hi, I have a 3 year old son who has a speech delay. I have been giving him Nordic Naturals Omega 3,6,9 Junior to help with this. I have been giving him just 1 capsule, even though the serving size is 2 capsules. The reason for this is that 2 capsules contains 15 IU of Vitamin E. I have read that the RDA of Vitamin E for his age is 9 IU. I have seen childrens vitamins that contain 20 IU and up of Vitamin E, so, I would think that 15 IU would be ok, but I would just like to get your advice on this. Thanks for your help
-----Answer-----
Jennifer,
Thanks for your question.  It is good that you are concerned about the potential for toxicity; some people believe that just because a substance is natural it is entirely safe.  Which is not true, there are always some potential risks with taking supplements, as with anything else.  
In general, though, vitamin E is safe in moderate ranges.  At high doses (1800-2000 IU a day for adults) there is some reports of prolonged bleeding time, high triglycerides, or lowered immunity.  But this dosage is much higher than common dosage.  The common dosage for adults is 400-800 IU a day.  This is higher than the RDA but it's a safe dosage for long-term use.  The RDA is a minimum dose, the amount that will prevent frank deficiency.  It is not considered sufficient for optimal health or prevention of diseases by many practitioners like myself.
To calculate a children's dose, the most accurate way is by weight (Clark's rule).  Divide the child's weight in pounds by 150, and that gives the fraction of the adult dose needed.  
As a parent, you of course have the final decision for your son on what is best. But I can tell you that 15 IU would be fine for most children his age, especially given the increased need for vitamin E while taking oils like this (which is, by the way, an excellent brand).
I hope that helps and good luck in trying natural options for your family.  
In health,
Dr Conner

Answer
Jennifer,
You're welcome.  
Fish oil, and other essential fatty acids, do help with a variety of conditions.  As the name implies, we need these oils for proper function, particularly in the brain which is rich in fatty tissue.  Because of the predominance of grain-fed meats, caffeine, sugars, trans-fats, and other inflammatory foods in the standard diet, most Americans are deficient in this.  The ideal way to correct the imbalance would be to eat mostly anti-inflammatory foods, like fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, oils like olive, flax, & hemp, grass-fed animal proteins, and fish; but often we need to supplement in order to correct a deficiency.  Fish oil has the highest amounts of EPA and DHA per serving, so it's often the preferred method of supplementation.  
Anxiety is one condition that responds well to correcting this imbalance, which should then allow the body to heal.  I often use homeopathy as well, which works very well with anxiety, depression, and a range of disorders. Homeopathic remedies are chosen for each individual's symptoms, so they are quite effective.  
Constipation may be helped by fish oil, but it's not particularly known for this.  Fiber and probiotics are the best supplements for decreasing constipation, but the diet must include lots of high-fiber foods, also.  
Fish oil is also useful in helping to lower cholesterol, along with diet changes and fiber supplements.  It seems strange that taking an oil will lower cholesterol, but replacing poor quality oils with these beneficial ones makes a big difference in the way your body handles cholesterol.  
Given the variety of symptoms you have, it's a good idea to get some conditions ruled out.  Blood sugar imbalances can often manifest as anxiety, and thyroid imbalance may explain some of your symptoms, also.  If you haven't already done so, that would be an area to investigate.  If possible, I'd suggest you seek out a naturopathic doctor at www.naturopathic.org.  We're experts at helping people restore health using natural remedies, and sorting through unrelated symptoms to find the root cause.  We have a strong emphasis on education, so it's ideal for someone like you who's new to natural alternatives.  
In health,
Dr Conner