If your child is already taking individual omega-3 and vitamin E supplements daily, you may begin with 1 capsule, 1.5 mL of Pure Oil, or 1/2 Tbsp of Smooth twice daily. After two weeks, you may increase intake to 1 capsule 3 times daily. And after another 2 weeks, you may increase intake to 2 capsules twice daily until reaching a possible dosage of 3 capsules (4.5 mL or 1.5 Tbsps) twice per day. If your child has never taken omega-3 or vitamin E in supplement form, start with 1 capsule (1.5 mL or 1/2 Tbsp of Smooth) of speak daily. After 2 weeks, you may increase the serving to 1 capsule twice daily until reaching a possible serving of 3 capsules twice daily over 12 weeks continuing at that dosage going forward. If you believe that your child will benefit from additional supplementation above 4 capsules, regardless of previous omega-3 supplementation, check with your healthcare practitioner (eg: Registered Dietitian, Certified Clinical Nutritionist, Naturopathic Doctor, Doctor of Osteopathy, Medical Doctor).†

It is preferable to give the speak® supplement throughout the day during a child’s most active time – in the morning and afternoon. Start with the morning meal and whether you give 2 or 4 capsules daily (or more under a clinician’s care), divide the serving over the day. For example, 2 capsules with breakfast and 2 with an afternoon snack. If your child is in school, you can ask your school nurse to administer the supplements. Depending on your state, you may need a note from your child’s doctor. If you are not able to provide supplements throughout the day, administer the entire serving in the morning.†

Different children respond at different times and with different servings. It's important to slowly titrate your child to the recommended serving. Experts believe that while blood plasma levels can increase within hours after consuming omega-3, changes in the red cell membranes and in the brain can take 3 to 4 months. Optimal benefits may best be realized with proper servings and adequate time.†

Speak® Smooth is a delicious way to administer the speak® supplement. The flavor tastes like an orange push-up or dreamsicle, and the texture is that of a creamy smoothie. Our Pure Oil has a light lemon flavor and can be poured directly from the bottle and mixed into any non-heated foods or beverages. The speak® twist capsule is a great alternative for children who can't or won't swallow capsules. Simply twist or snip the end of the capsule and squirt the oil directly into your child's mouth or blend the contents with any non-heated food or beverage. The standard softgel capsule can be pierced as well. Because the taste is mild, your child may chew on the capsule(s) of speak® supplement to extract the nutrients and either swallow the empty capsule or spit it out. Alternately, you may pierce the contents of the capsule with a clean pin and squirt the oil onto a non-plastic spoon. Or you may blend the contents of the capsule in a small amount of a non-heated food such as nut butters, smoothies, applesauce, mashed banana or avocado, and yogurt. Be certain that your child consumes the entire amount of the blended food to get the full benefit of the capsule contents. Blending with food and serving on a spoon or in a small cup is easiest. And please only use non-plastic dishware as the oil may stain plastic.

The fat-soluble contents – omega-3 and vitamins E and K – of the speak® supplement are better absorbed with foods containing fat. Suggestions include coconut milk, avocado, nut butters (almond, cashew), peanut butter, nuts, seeds, egg yolks, fish, poultry, beef, pork, and lamb. For those not on a casein restricted diet (a protein in dairy products that many children cannot tolerate), yogurt, whole milk, cheese, and pudding are also good fat-containing choices.†

Each bottle or capsule container is specifically designed for a 30-day period, based on label directions.

No, the expiration date indicates the last month that the product should be consumed to receive the full nutritional value of each ingredient declared on the label.

Each of the speak® offerings (capsules, twists, Smooth, and Pure Oil) contain the same number of servings per bottle or box.

Speak® Pure Oil is purposely not filled to the top so that any oxygen in the bottle can be extracted during bottling to keep the oil as fresh as possible. Omega-3 in liquid oil forms are prone to oxidation when exposed to air. To make sure that the oil stays as fresh as the day it was bottled until opened, a small amount of room is left in the bottle to allow a nitrogen blanket to cover the oil and prevent oxidation.

If your child is not currently taking omega-3 fish oil or vitamin E supplements: Start with 1 capsule of lifetrients speak daily. After 2 weeks increase the serving to 1 capsule twice daily continuing to increase in 2 week increments until reaching a possible dosage of 3 capsules twice per day continuing at that dosage going forward. If you believe that your child will benefit from additional supplementation beyond 4 capsules, check with your healthcare provider (e.g.: Medical Doctor, Registered Dietitian, Certified Clinical Nutritionist, Naturopathic Doctor, Doctor of Osteopathy).

Suggested serving plan for those not currently taking fish oil or vitamin E supplements:

If your child is already taking individual fish oil and vitamin E supplements: First determine the current serving amount of the omega-3 (EPA and DHA) and vitamin E (if any) that your child is receiving with the existing supplement* (usually listed clearly on the “Supplement Facts” panel. Be sure to determine the amount per serving or per capsule). This will provide you a baseline from which to start for an equivalent serving. Some families administer both “High EFA” and “High EPA” supplements. Shown below is a chart illustrating the amounts of each ingredient and how 2 capsules of speak provide the essential equivalent to three capsules of the other supplements plus additional nutrients in Lifetrients speak provide added benefits and nutrient balance, not found in other omega-3 supplements. *Feel free to contact lifetrients at 1-800-471-0358 if you have any questions.

Once you have determined the amount you are currently giving, select a comparable amount of speak and begin with that serving (be sure to discontinue the other omega 3 supplements). Many families begin with 2 capsules of speak daily. After two weeks, increase intake to 3 capsules daily. And after another 2 weeks, increase intake to 4 capsules daily up to a possible intake of 6 capsules daily. Most families report success with a transition period, that is, replacing omega-3 in the current supplement with speak over time.

Typically toddlers and smaller children receive a serving of 2 to 4 capules per day, while older and larger children receive a serving of 4 to 6 capsules per day, divided throughout the day. Every child is different, and the "best” amount may be determined by knowing and observing your child. If your child is not currently taking omega-3, begin supplementing with one capsule daily (with food or snack) and increase slowly. We suggest working with your healthcare practitioner if you choose to use increased amounts. A guideline is that if you don’t see additional benefit with additional capsules, then stay with the lower serving.

It is preferable to provide the speak supplement throughout the day during a child’s most active time – in the morning and afternoon. Start with the morning meal and divide the serving throughout the day. For example, 2 capsules with breakfast and 2 with an afternoon snack. If your child is in school, you may ask your school nurse to provide the supplements. Depending on your state, you may need a note from your child’s doctor. If you are not able to provide supplements throughout the day, give half the serving in the morning and the balance with dinner.

For the capsules, some children find it easy to swallow the capsule. Others bite the capsule (and swallow the gelatin shell or spit it out), many parents open (pierce) the capsules and mix the oil with non-heated foods (e.g. pudding, smoothie); others serve it on a spoon (with or without juice or fruit sauce) or squirt it directly into the mouth and follow with food. This works for the twist capsules as well. Most children prefer to take Pure Oil and Smooth directly off a spoon. Remember, avoid mixing the product with hot foods.

Every child is different and responses vary. Not all children experience benefits in the same ways or during the same time period. A number of factors may influence a child’s response, such as consistency and serving, co-existing conditions, previous supplementation, transition time, and adherence to special diets.

The time of year can impact response as well due to summer allergies, winter cold and flu season, etc. It is recommended to give speak on a daily basis (consistency is key) for a minimum of a 4 month period to determine if your child benefits from the nutrients in speak.

Children aged 2 and above may benefit from the nutrients in speak. Many families with older children have reported positive experiences with speak. Follow the suggested use and increase over time.

Emotional outbursts and transient moods are common when children begin supplementing with omega-3 supplements. Each child is different. If your child has been ‘very compliant’, a change in this behavior may be considered normal. Parents have reported the “Tasmanian Devil” effect, where children become very active, oppositional but in time (2-3 weeks) rebalance.

(The issues described are typically associated with omega-3 supplementation – not unique to speak.)

• Some children may experience loose stools when they begin supplementation with oil-based capsules; this usually resolves quickly.
• Moodiness, irritability, and emotional outbursts are commonly reported in children during the first few days/weeks of omega-3 supplementation.
• Experts believe it is best to be off fish oil 2 weeks before a surgery due to increased bleeding risk, given the platelet effects of omega-3.
• Avoid using products such as ibuprofen (motrin, advil) or aspirin since they increase the risk of bleeding, so the combination (omega-3, vitamin E, and these medicines) could theoretically heighten the risk of bleeding. Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) may be an option under the direction of your healthcare provider.
• Individuals on blood thinners such as Coumadin® should not be using fish oil and vitamin E.