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Mamma Fairy

Home & Interiors

Top 4 ways to add value to your property

Are you planning to rent out your property? Before doing so, you should consider updating your property to ensure it appears attractive to tenants. This not only increases tenant demand, but it also enhances your property’s prospects, allowing you to up the rent and helping you receive excellent returns on your investment. Its so important to do your own research from the outset and sites such as  A+ Construction & Remodeling can prove to be an invaluable resource.

There are several ways to add value to your property. Here are a few ideas which will help you enhance your property and achieve success as a property investor.

Enhance room decor

decorative feature vase

Is your living room or bedroom looking a bit worse for wear? This will be off-putting to a lot of tenants; therefore, you should make sure every room in your house looks presentable before advertising it. This may just mean applying a new layer of paint, which will cost you next to nothing but will give your property a well-needed revival. On the other hand, it may be that you need to undertake a complete renovation, including new flooring, wallpaper, and furnishing. While this may cost more, the changes will be worthwhile in the long run, as your property will be much more appealing.  

Perform necessary repairs

There is nothing more off-putting to tenants than a damaged property, as the reason people to choose to rent is so that they avoid the responsibilities associated with owning a home. To avoid scaring away tenants, you should make sure that everything in the property is functioning and well put together. For example, it is vital that any structural problems are fixed by a professional to make the property as safe as possible, while also preventing it from looking like an eyesore.

You should also check every inch of the house to ensure that nothing is broken, especially if you’re renting out a furnished property. This could include white goods, furnishings, and any electrical fixtures which may need to be restored or replaced.

Sustainability

Sustainability is a real buzz word at the moment, particularly re energy sustainability.  Which according to wikipedia is using energy in a way that “meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Therefore if you are renovating a house it is highly advisable to consider the most sustainable way of heating your home or utilising energy. There really is a raft of literature out there on this topic and it can be a little overwhelming where to start. I have read a number of articles by leading utilities attorney Douglas Healy who remarks that the issue of sustainable energy is very much on the minds and agenda of the big utilities.

There are some simple steps you should take to ensure your home is efficiently heated thus more sustainable in terms of energy consumption, such as sealing or replacing any doors or windows to prevent cold entering the property. You should also consider updating your insulation, as this will not only keep the cold out but will also retain heat, meaning the heating will be used less which will result in reduced energy bills.

More costly sustainable options include, solar panels, wood burning stoves, low energy light fittings. Its important to remember every change no matter how small is a positive step towards (1) sustainable energy (2) make your property more attractive to potential purchasers thus adding value.

Update your exterior

Boosting your property’s kerb appeal is one of the most effective ways to add value. This is because it is the first thing that your potential tenants will see, and if this looks aesthetically-pleasing, their interest will increase. To start, you should sort out your garden, whether that is in the front, back, or both. To improve your green space, you should rip out any weeds, fix fences, and add colourful florals to make your garden more appealing.

Another way to update your exterior is by updating your front door, which may be the first point of focus for any tenants coming to visit your property. Therefore, you should make it stand out by using a bright colour like red or blue, which will highlight the entrance and make it look much more attractive. You could also consider implementing a porch, as this will frame the entrance making it look more homely and inviting.

 

Note: This is a collaborative post
Features

Strong Shaping Shapewear and Waist Trainer Sales

Do you know when the best time to buy shapewear is? It’s during sales season! Just like you wait for the sales to start to buy clothes, the same you should do when it comes to shapewear too!

Why is a good idea to buy shapewear on sale?

shapewear

The main reason for buying anything on sale is for the big discounts. You can even buy products for half of their original price and you can save a lot of money that you can use to buy even more items. FeelinGirl shapewear has some of the best offers you can find during the sales season and you should have your list ready with your favourite body shapers and take advantage of their offers. After all, their products have the best quality on the market!

What to know before buying body shapers on sale?

Of course, there are a few things you should consider doing before the sales start. 

You should have your wish list ready with all the items that you want from FeelinGirl and see which ones have the best discounts. 

You should also have a budget established, so you won’t over spend.

Do not forget to properly measure your waistline, so that you by the perfect size. You can also check the size chart that each FeelinGirl product has.

Which shapewear you should buy during sales at FeelinGirl?

It’s best to inform yourself before buying body shapers, especially if it’s your first time. You have to know for what do you want them: to lose weight or to smooth your body. 

Chose a waist trainer for strong shaping

If you want to lose weight you will need strong shaping shapewear. And the best choice is the latex waist trainer from FeelinGirl. This waist cincher will help you achieve an hourglass silhouette by adding strong compression to your waist line. Don’t worry, you can set the level of compression due to its adjustable straps. 

This waist trainer will give you the best results and help you get a small waist and a flat abdomen if it’s worn daily and especially during gym training.

It’s a very popular shapewear product and in high demand, so you should take advantage of the sales and buy one. 

Chose a bodysuit for a smooth silhouette

If you do not need to lose weight and just want to enhance your silhouette and a boost of confidence with it, the slimming bodysuit from FeelinGirl is perfect for you! It will smooth your curves while keeping everything in place and will give you a very harmonious hourglass silhouette. It’s made out of nylon and spandex, which makes it super soft, breathable and comfortable, so you will be able to wear it the entire day without a problem. 

 

Whether you want a waist trainer, a bodysuit or other shapewear items don’t forget to take advantage of the big sales and the free international shipping for orders over 70$ that FeelinGirl offers. 

Note: This is a collaborative post
Home & Interiors

Home Cinema and a Look at Silent Projectors

We would all love to go to the cinemas every weekend, big box of the saltiest popcorn that makes your lips crinkle halfway through, a 1L drink you normally wouldn’t finish and topped off with a bag of chocolate raisins, but due to increased prices that doesn’t happen nearly as often as we’d like it to. Boo. Read this article and see the opinions on this topic.

So, these days, with all men deciding they are now handy DIYers who can put their hands to anything, the home cinema theatre rage has boomed and every second house has a ‘version’ of a cinema, looking more like an over-sized screen with a cushion filled couch in-front of it. But it keeps them busy and out of our hair, so we go with it.

 

DIY Projector screen.

Ok, even though they claim they know what they’re doing, it often ends in more mess than to begin with, and we applaud them for giving it a go and having the courage to tackle the task, but without some idea, manual or even basic tutorial, it’s pretty much pot luck if it’ll work out.

Technology is fast-paced and advancing each day, so it makes sense to read up on the latest techniques, gadgets or methods for a job to ensure you are first, on track, but secondly are using a procedure that is modern to be able to source parts.

A few minutes’ research will save you from a headache, a crying wallet, and an annoyed spouse, so click here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEjq-pF20pI for a quick fix lesson that’ll make you look like you knew what you were doing all along.

What to Consider to Create a Home Cinema?

 

  • Seating. This is usually in the form of a large, wide couch you can stretch out on, can fit the whole family and friends’ group and is so comfortable you inevitably end up falling asleep.
  • Snacks. If you can afford to splurge on a popcorn machine in the room then definitely go for it, movies are nothing without popcorn, otherwise making a quick batch upstairs in the kitchen will do just fine, and then the array of sweet or savory bars and packets on the side. Drinks will be in the bar fridge no doubt, so that’s sorted.
  • Lighting. A wall sconce is a great way to not only complete the cinema them and overall look, but they provide light without being obtrusive and in your face, it also doesn’t reflect onto the screen, have a look at different styles and models of cinema lighting to inspire you.
  • Projector and Screen. Of course, without these 2 essential items, no-one is going to be watching nothing nowhere, these will be the biggest expense so do your research and buy wisely. More expensive doesn’t necessarily equal quality.

 

How to Choose a Projector.

As this part of the project comes with a hefty price tag, it’s vital to do your homework, have a guideline of the features you are looking for and be sure the budget you set is the price range you are looking at, no point shopping for cars when you came for a horse if you know what I mean.

Go to the shops and have a look at a wide range of models, speak to the experts, people and companies who specialize in this field to give you the best advice, and take your time, there are many factors to consider, a lot of questions you need to ask yourself, and the professionals, and make a decision based on facts-and budget.

How bright should it be, does it need 3D, 4K HD, Bluetooth or WIFI, how long does the bulb last, should it hang or be on a bench and even if you didn’t think of it, how silent is it? Just these few simple questions can be overwhelming and a lot to take in.

Many people tend to put a few more pennies in the pot when it comes to the sound side of things, the noise of the fan can be annoying and wear out over time causing it to get even louder, but seeking the opinion from the pros on the quietest screen projects will put your mind at ease and they can explain all the benefits of certain features.

Top 5 Features to Look for in a Projector.

  • The contrast, adjustments and color accuracy, we want our film to be shown in the right colors, of course, see more info on this and get a better understanding of ratios.
  • Lens Zoom. This means you can adjust it back and forth when positioning it to get the clearest image, a larger zoom provides a better ‘throw-distance,’ which is the ideal distance ratio of screen to a projector for the type of model you have, be sure to measure before you mount.
  • Lens Shift. A key feature most will appreciate because not all rooms are the same and the projector can’t always be mounted where we would like it to be, so having the lens be able to move in all directions gives us that extra bit of flexibility.
  • Brightness. While a bright clear picture is great, too much light output can cause fatigue and you’ll end up with a lot of people staying over.
  • Noise. There are a lot of mechanics going on inside that little box, fans and wheels and moving lenses, so opt for the quietest model your finances allow, and that ambient movie scene won’t be ruined by whirring fan blades.

It is a lot to think about and who even knew projectors were so in-depth, but with proper planning and pros and cons lists, you’ll find the best solution that works for you, happy movie watching.

Note: This is a collaborative post
Features

How To Set Up An App

To those of you with an entrepreneurial spark, setting up your own app might sound like a tempting and lucrative idea in this day and age. There are many things to think about as you go about each step of the process. You need to ask yourself initial questions like, “Will it be useful?”, or, “Will it make sense?”. What is the purpose of your app and who are you creating it for?

lightbulb

Pic Credit: pexels

Brainstorm your ideas, keeping the sky as the limit. Put your ideas onto paper, plan out practical development plans and think of a prototype for each idea. Try to not to get fixated on one idea, the more ideas you have, the more chance you have of success in the market. After you launch a single idea, give it a few months on the market to test it, if it doesn’t catch on, try out another one of your ideas. If there isn’t a user base developing for it then try another one. 

laptop

Pic Credit: pexels

When you’re ready to develop an idea it will be necessary for most of you, unless you’re a professional yourself, to hire a developer. There are several different companies available but some are more recommended than others. Xibis, for example offers many development services and has a proven reputation among big brands as well as smaller businesses. You’re looking for a developer with expertise and experience, in order to help take your prototype to market. At the end of the development process your developer will also be responsible for uploading the app to the app stores.

 

cash

Pic Credit: pexels

Money will be a factor and it’s difficult to say how much it costs to set up an up, as it really depends, you could be looking at anywhere from around $3,000-10,000 and that’s just an estimate. There are ways you can save money in the earlier stages and more importantly, think about how you can make more money from your up to break even and eventually make a profit on how much you spent setting it up. For example, it normally works out cheaper to opt for an outsourced provided, who knows what your criteria will be. Later on, if and when you see success in your product, you could move production home. Maintenance and development will be cheaper outsourced, rather than in-house at the beginning. 

Another great option is seeking help from financialadvisers.co.uk. Creating an app can be a very costly process, but with the help of financial advisers, it doesn’t have to be. They can provide you with the guidance and advice you need to save money efficiently so that you can allocate those funds towards developing your app. They can also help you create a budget and financial plan that will suit your unique needs and situation. Working with a financial adviser ensures that your app development process is as affordable as possible.

In order to sell your app you will need to take care of promotion. There are different ways to do this, a good start is with third party endorsement. Get your app reviewed by online bloggers, particularly tech bloggers and press. Afterall, you are looking to start a business essentially here, it might not be realistic to expect to suddenly make millions. Having said that, stay positive, it is a booming business and the future of how we do, pretty much everything. With a level head and the right support you’ll have the world at your fingertips. 

 

Note: This is a collaborative post
Mamma Musings

What Running A Good Business Actually Looks Like

Being in business can be a lot of fun. Doing your own thing and being a business owner takes a lot of work, but it’s incredibly rewarding too. It’s nice to be able to create something of your own and do a lot of good with it. But, in order to do that, you have to focus on the idea of doing good. And that means running a good business. These are the three key values your business should operate on to do that.

 Integrity

 If you want to be able to build a good business, you need to make sure that you are moral. You have to be in it for the right reasons. You should care about the kind of business that you’ve built and that you’re creating something that does good in the world.

 Relatability

 At the same time, your audience should be able to relate to you. If they are going to connect with your business and want to buy from you – no matter whether you’re selling a product or service, you need to speak to them. So make sure you connect with your audience.

 Honesty

 Finally, it’s important for you to be honest. And this means operating in the most honest way possible. Don’t trick your audience and don’t do anything that could be considered illegal – like white collar crime. If you’d like to learn more about white collar crime, just take a look at the infographic below.


Infographic Design By USC

 

Note: This is a collaborative post
Mamma Musings

Sales Tax Audit – some tips

sales tax audit books

Pic Credit: Pixabay

There is nothing like hearing the words tax and audit in a sentence together to strike fear in any business owner. Sales tax compliance is something that must be on the minds of any business audit. As the old saying goes when it comes to sales tax audit think of when not if. That way being sales tax compliant remains at the forefront of your mind. The first thing to do if you received a notification of a sales tax audit is – do not panic. I know this is easier said than done but stressing genuinely wont help. You need to be able to think clearly and act rationally and deal with the matter at hand as effectively and efficiently as possible. Bearing in mind that it is mostly a documentary process conduced via mail so the chances are you may not even meet somebody from the IRS.

So what is a sales tax audit?

According to Wikipedia  it is the examination of a company’s financial documents by a government’s tax agency to verify if the proper amount of sales tax has been remitted to the proper authority.  According to Bob Meighan from Huffington Post stated that “most people don’t realize that only 1.1 percent of individual taxpayers receive an audit letter every year“.

So if you are in the unfortunate 1.1% so what should you do?  Talk to the experts. Companies like TaxConnex use their years of experience in  the are of sales tax audit you get all the know-how – From wayfair nexus to managing audits. They effectively act as an intermediary between your company and the audit assisting you long along with way.  Particularly in a stressful situation it can be invaluable to have somebody deal with the queries, pull the paperwork, give further clarity and context especially for independent contractor taxes

It is important to bear in mind that tax should not just be reactive. It is something you need to be considering on an ongoing basis again utilising experts if this is not a skill set you have in house.  It may sound simplistic and that im overly simplifying this but you really do need to maintain a tax calendar with all your key reporting/ filing dates on it.  Also note that it may change over time and with legislative changes to keeping up date is critical.

A couple of tips

  • Don’t panic
  • Call the experts
  • Every letter from the IRS isn’t necessarily an audit
  • Submitting an amendment does not necessarily mean you will increase you chances of being audit -if you spot a mistake correct  it
  • Most audit are conducted via mail – you might not even meet somebody from the IRS
  • A lot of articles in this area suggest businesses which deal a lot in cash, bars, restaurants, etc are more prone to audits to ensure controls around cash and reporting are operating effectively.
  • Research suggests that if you sell outside of your own state is increases your likelihood of sales tax audit
  • Expect the auditor to use some form of sampling method around your data
  • Don’t evading taxes that are legally due
  • The auditor is not the enemy that are only doing their job.

 

Note: This is a collaborative post
Mamma Musings

Hand Held Shower Head – What Options Do You Have?

Choosing a hand held shower head is an important decision because your choice of shower can make a huge impact on the style and feel of your bathroom. When choosing which one to get it’s important to consider things like: what style of shower do you want; is it going to be the focal point of the room or will it be more of a decorative feature? What fixtures do you prefer and which ones do you not? All these questions are important when making your choice!

There are currently four main high-pressure hand held shower head styles. These include wall-mount, handheld, rain shower, and three ways. The style that works best for you personally will likely depend on personal preference, bathroom size, and preferred design. Here is a quick breakdown of the four types:

Wall-Mounted: Wall-mounted hand held shower heads are the standard, but they are typically larger than handheld and rain shower heads. They can also be expensive depending on where you purchase them from. They generally require that the outlet in your wall is strong enough to handle the weight. They are great if you want a large shower hose but can be bulky.

Handheld: Handheld shower heads can be small and compact, or very large. They are generally inexpensive, easy to install, and come with their installation manual. Some can even be installed by yourself. However, if you choose a handheld shower head holder that has an extra-long spray, it can be difficult to get it set up if the outlet is not long enough. This can result in having to extend the outlet by at least two feet.

Fixed: Fixed shower heads can be attached to your walls, or you can purchase an add-on attachment. With fixed shower heads, the actual head will rest against your wall. These are the most common, and many people prefer them. However, fixed shower heads are prone to leaking, especially if the spray nozzle is not properly attached. You need to be careful when setting up fixed shower heads since they can be quite heavy.

Combination: A combination shower fixture may not look like a shower fixture at all. These are typically easy to install, and many companies make them with their combination capabilities. These units have the features of both a hand held shower head holder and a standard shower head fixture. They often look like cabinets (on which you can hang a shower curtain), or they may be small and just used as a hand held shower head. The most popular combination units are the two-piece fixtures, which are either one-piece units that come with a built-in handheld shower curtain wand, or two-piece units that come with the wand but include a separate shower rod that attaches to the base.

Nickel Finishes: All of our Hand Held Shower Head brands offer nickel finishes, which give the units a very nice look. These nickel finishes vary from an antique nickel to modern chrome finish options. These are very nice, if somewhat on the expensive side, and the various hand held shower head brands offer different price ranges. If you want a finish that is on the luxurious side, you should check out some of the higher-end options available.

If you are building a new home, we recommend that you check out our complete selection of Hand Held Shower Fixtures. Our professional installation specialists will make sure everything works so that you can enjoy your newly remodeled bathroom. There are multiple styles to choose from, and we even have options for you to customize your Hand Held shower heads! No matter what you are looking for, you can find a top-quality product that fits your needs. Feel free to browse through our entire selection, and contact a professional today.

Note:  This is a collaborative post

 

Home & Interiors

Boiler Servicing: How Often Does It Need Doing?

Boilers, despite them being largely reliable, do need some TLC from time to time to keep all their components functioning as they should. There’s no good using your boiler day in and day out for a number of years and expecting it not to break down or experience issues in some way. Your boiler’s performance and efficiency will naturally deteriorate over time, so booking your boiler in for an annual service is one way to make sure any issues are identified before they escalate and become detrimental for the health of your boiler. Besides the obvious benefits of servicing like having any old parts replaced, you risk your boiler warranty becoming invalid by failing to have your boiler checked once a year.

As stated by Heatable depending on whether your boiler is insured or not, your boiler servicing may come at a cost. Despite this, making sure your boiler is running at optimum efficiency is sure to save you money in energy bills month on month, making it entirely worth it

So, what are you waiting for? Give your boiler some much-deserved TLC by scheduling it in for a service.

What does boiler servicing include?

  • Inspection of parts. 

Professionals will check over your boiler and pipework for any leaks, blockages or corrosions by removing your boiler casing. Older boilers will naturally need more parts replacing due to the natural build-up of grime and sludge. 

If your boiler is particularly old, your engineer may advise a replacement rather than recommending that you spend tons of money on new parts. BOXT offers a range of top-quality boiler brands that can help homes to hugely reduce their energy bills with their A-rated energy-efficiency. All their new boilers also come with a five-year warranty, so you can rest easy knowing that if anything goes wrong, you can have a local engineer called out to help. 

  • Gas pressure and flow. 

Over time, your boiler pressure can become too low or high. This is due to numerous factors and can usually be fixed with techniques like bleeding radiators, flushing your system or repressurising your boiler. Boiler servicing means any minor issues like this can be identified and fixed to prevent your boiler from breaking down further down the line. 

As your boiler heats your home, waste gases are produced and sent through your flue pipe to leave your home. Your engineer will check your flue pipe to ensure there are no blockages causing danger to your household and will take note of the amount of waste gas being produced – too much flue gas can be a sign that your boiler is running inefficiently. 

  • Working faults.

As well as checking your boiler internally for underlying issues, an engineer will fire up your boiler to see if there are any obvious problems. For example, does your boiler make any odd noises, does your displays screen show up as it should, etc. 

Why do you need an annual boiler service? 

  • Household safety.

The most obvious and important reason to prioritise boiler servicing is to ensure your household is safe. Faulty boilers can be dangerous and put your family at risk of gas leaks. Boilers can put families in huge danger if things go wrong by releasing lethal gases like carbon monoxide. 

  • Catch issues early on. 

Boiler servicing is important for finding and tackling problems while they’re still easy to fix. Small issues can end up becoming problematic and even unfixable if left alone for too long. 

  • Reduce energy bills.

Depending on whether your boiler is insured or not, your boiler servicing may come at a cost. Despite this, making sure your boiler is running at optimum efficiency is sure to save you money in energy bills month on month, making it entirely worth it.

If you are debating whether to book your boiler in for a service, don’t hesitate. All it requires is as little as twenty minutes for an engineer to check over your boiler and pipework, give them a test, and you’re good to go. 

 

Note: This is a collaborative post
Features

Importance of good quality data

laptop

Pic Credit: Pixabay

I have been pretty quiet here of late, however I have a very good reason for it. I may have ever so slightly neglected the blog however it has been totally worth it! I have been consulting on a fascinating project on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the corporate world particularly for accountants. I’m unashamedly a nerd and love data, statistics and tech.   One of the big learning’s I take with me from this project is just how important data is. And not just data, good data.  We have all heard of GDPR and see its impact pretty much day to day when we do anything. Protecting ones data is important particularly in an increasingly data centric world.

Data Quality Management 

Looking at how advanced the technology is becoming, data quality management has to be a key concern for management. But what exactly is good quality data? You need to be managing the right data to make the right decisions. Informatica  defines data quality as “the overall utility of a dataset(s) as a function of its ability to be easily processed and analyzed for other uses, usually by a database, data warehouse, or data analytics system“.  That is quite the tongue twister, paring it back good quality data simply means, data which is accurate, complete, consistent, and time stamped.  Getting the data quality management right is a critical element in future proofing your business.

Interestingly data quality is not to be confused with data accuracy. Accuracy is exactly as it says that the  data is accurate whereas data quality is combination of five different factor including accuracy. The other four are: complete, consistent,  time stamped and industry standards based.

Artificial Intelligence 

So considering the next steps – what is artificial intelligence? Wikipedia has a very comprehensive definition of AI but at its most basic, it is intelligence demonstrated by machines as opposed to the natural person/ human.  It can be quite hard to get your head around the concept of AI. My recent role was looking at how AI could assist accountants as opposed to replace accountants. Which is what most people’s biggest fear is i.e. being replaced by a robot leading to mass unemployment. It’s not about that at all its about improving performance. The use of AI is practically everywhere nowadays, from Industrial AI that includes deep learning, to AI in the retail space. It is hard to ignore it as it has multiple applications that can provide support in a variety of ways which people do find intimidating.

So how can does AI link with accountants. I think the main message I want to convey here is that it can support, enhance and improve performance. Augment is the word used by Firm of the Future and I think it is a really apt descriptor of it. Having a practical look myself at it, I can see AI used really effectively for example for queries – particularly voice recognition.  Think about it for a second.  You are popping to a meeting you forgot to check how many of this years sales were from x Limited? Simple  – just ask and the figure is repeated back to you.

However, this really only severs to reinforce that good data management is critical – I think the old adage says – “garbage in – garbage out” data really is king so how true could this be.

Note: This is a collaborative post

 

Mamma Reviews

Omega-3 and Vitamin D to Boost your Child’s Brain and Immunity!

Children need Omega 3 for every stage of their development. It boosts their brains, strengthens their immune systems and lifts their mood. It is also claimed to improve behaviour, reduce anxiety and helps to improve language. Sounds too good to be true – yet scientific research continues to show impressive results. We first began using Eskimo in 2015 and have used them almost every day since. I firmly believe that giving them the best start in this respect is critical and will stand to them long term. Kids are busy, between school, activities, play dates etc. We want them to preform to the best of their abilities and I really do feel that supplementing is a viable alternative. I simply couldn’t get the quantity of fish into the boys that I would like so for me the best alternative was a high quality fish supplement. I have done my research, I have spoken to other mothers online and in person and the brand that was mentioned most was Eskimo 3.

Brain Food for Kids

Eskimo 3 kids

Ready for the day, Omegas for adults and kids. Plus our sun-cream another essential component.

Omega-3s are important for every cell in the body, but for children, most of the research has focused on their role in promoting healthy brain development. Omega-3 fatty acids are the most critical building blocks of the brain – they are considered essential and must be obtained through diet or supplementation. Without these important fats, it can become difficult for children to concentrate, learn new information, and balance their moods properly.  DHA in particular is recognised as essential for normal brain function. It helps to improve membrane fluidity, which means that nerve impulses, or messages, are transmitted more effectively.   In animals, low brain DHA results in changes in behaviour and is associated with learning problems and memory deficits. In humans, studies indicate that DHA supports normal IQ and preserves learning and memory. Perhaps its the accountant in me but I like to do my research, I do read up on things to make sure I am making informed decisions. Lets face it, its our kids future I feel like I owe it to them to give them the best start in life I can. Having spoken with the lovely people at Eskimo 3, my attention was drawn to some important research which is summarised below.

A review of 7 different studies which reported on the results of DHA supplementation on school performance, found that 5 of the studies showed DHA improved school performance, including learning ability, reading and spelling.(1)  In a 2012 study (Richardson et al) found that Omega 3 DHA had a profound improvement in reading age, concentration and learning ability in children. Lower levels of DHA were attributed to poorer reading and impaired performance.(2)

One 2013 study by the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine looked at how boys responded to Omega-3 DHA. Omega-3 DHA is as important to our brains, as calcium is to our bones. It accounts for 97 percent of the omega-3 fats in the brain. In the study, (McNamara RK et al) showed that subjects who consumed less DHA had slower reaction times and exhibited lower levels of concentration compared with subjects who consumed more DHA.3  

Early omega-3 exposure may reduce incidence of children’s allergies

A recent 2017 article reported that eating oily fish or fish oil supplementation in pregnancy may be a strategy to prevent infant and childhood allergic disease, whilst a study in infants from birth to 6 months found that omega-3s were able to modify markers of immunity and potentially be protective against allergies.(4,5)  In addition, Bisgaard et al. reported a significantly reduced incidence of persistent wheeze or asthma at ages 3 to 5 years in children whose mothers took fish oil during pregnancy.(6)

All of this indicates that consumption of omega-3 during pregnancy by the mothers or intake of omega-3 in infancy may well be able to help reduce the incidence of allergic diseases, including asthma. However it is really important if you do have any concerns around allergies that you do consultant a professional such as Premier Allergy & Asthma. Premier Allergy & Asthma can also assist with conditions such as eczema or hives. 

How much is required?

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) state that you need 250mg DHA daily to support healthy brain function. Eating oily fish twice a week (think SMASH – salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines and herring) will provide a healthy dose of omega-3 EPA/DHA.  Since it is almost impossible to get children to eat enough fish to meet the requirements, it’s smart to supplement their diet with a premium Omega-3 supplement such as Eskimo-3 Kids. If I get one fish meal a week with cleaned plates its pretty close to a miracle here. 

Vitamin D for Bones and Immunity

Vitamin D, the “sunshine vitamin”, is well known for its role in building strong bones and teeth. It’s not just about bones though. Vitamin D is needed for a healthy immune system – helping the body to fight off infections, making it a very important supplement during back to school time. The Irish Osteoporosis Society has called on parents to keep vitamin D intake top of mind. Some 88% of primary school children in Ireland have been reported to have vitamin D intakes below the recommended amount. Kids who do not get sufficient calcium and vitamin D are at increased risk for rickets (softening and weakening of bones in children, poor growth).

 

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