Key Nutrients for Children’s
Health
With
school starting…it is essential that our children have good nutritional support
from both good food and from good supplements.
The following key nutrients help ensure that children obtain adequate
nutrition for optimal health.
VITAMINS
AND MINERALS
A
child’s diet must provide the essential nutrients needed to support physical
and cognitive development. For optimal health, children must obtain a balanced
and healthy diet. Adding a good vitamin
and mineral supplement to a child’s diet ensures that these important nutrients
are not missed.
Pediatricians
especially recommend a daily multiple vitamin and mineral supplement for
children who may not eat regular, well-balanced meals made from fresh, whole
foods; picky eaters who may not eat enough; children with high activity levels
who play physically demanding sports; children who eat a lot of fast food and
processed foods; and children eating a vegetarian, dairy-free or other
restricted diet. A good multiple vitamin
and mineral supplement is also recommended for children who may drink a lot of
carbonated sodas, which can leach vitamins and minerals from the body.1
CALCIUM
Lifelong
calcium intake is essential for maintaining healthy bones. Obtaining adequate calcium is especially
important during childhood and adolescence, when bones are growing and
developing. The American Academy of
Pediatrics has stated that, “Most older children and adolescents in the United
States currently do not achieve the recommended intake of calcium. Maintaining adequate calcium intake during
childhood and adolescence is necessary for the development of peak bone mass,
which may be important in reducing the risk of fractures and osteoporosis later
in life. Optimal calcium intake is
especially relevant during adolescence, when most bone mineral accretion
occurs.”2
VITAMIN
D
Vitamin
D is most well-known for its role in helping the body maintain healthy levels
of calcium and phosphorus. It is
essential for building and maintaining healthy bones. Calcium can be absorbed
by the body only when vitamin D is present.
Vitamin D plays many important roles beyond bone health. In adults, recent scientific evidence
suggests that vitamin D plays a vital role in maintaining innate immunity.
The
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has recently doubled its recommendation
for the minimum amount of vitamin D that children should get daily. The new guidelines recommend at least 400
international units daily.3
That’s about four 8-ounce glasses of milk, but most children don’t drink
enough milk to provide adequate levels of vitamin D. The AAP states that the best way to ensure
that children receive adequate vitamin D is through supplementation.
OMEGA-3
FATTY ACIDS
Omega-3
fatty acids are essential to human health but cannot be manufactured by the
body. For this reason, omega-3 fatty
acids must be obtained through the diet. Scientific studies confirm the numerous
benefits that omega-3 fatty acids can have on human health in terms of mental,
visual, nervous system and cardiovascular benefits. Two long-chain forms of omega-3 fatty acids,
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), are both found
almost exclusively in deep, cold-water fish. These fatty acids are key building
blocks in every cell in the body. DHA and EPA are recognized for their health
benefits in all life stages and are essential components as the body grows and
develops.
DHA
is critical for the optimal development and function of the brain, eyes and
central nervous system during infancy and childhood. DHA is a major structural fat in the brain and
eyes, representing approximately 97% of all omega-3 fats in the brain and 93%
of all omega-3 fats in the retina.4 Because DHA is a primary component of the
brain and retina, a lack of sufficient DHA can negatively impact the
development and function of these organs.
WHOLE
FOOD ANTIOXIDANTS
Modern
diets often lack sufficient amounts of fruits, vegetables and other whole
foods. Thus
they
are generally low in essential nutrients and antioxidants needed for optimum
health. Research continues to show that
a higher intake of antioxidant-rich fruits, vegetables and other whole foods is
extremely important for good health.5 The National Cancer Institute
recommends eating at least 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables per day.6
Fruits
and vegetables are naturally rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients such as
resveratrol, ellagic acid, flavonoids, carotenoids, anthocyanins and
chlorophyll. Whole foods are also a natural
source of essential nutrients, including vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Whole foods provide a broad spectrum of
phytonutrients that work synergistically to promote overall health and
wellness. Research indicates that
combinations of nutrients and antioxidants found in whole foods may have
greater protective effects than individual nutrients taken alone.5,7
DIGESTIVE
ENZYMES
Digestive
enzymes are made by the body but are also obtained through the diet. Fruits and vegetables are good sources of
dietary enzymes. Unfortunately, cooking
food can destroy these enzymes. Like
their parents, most children do not eat enough raw foods and can therefore
benefit from digestive enzyme supplementation.8 Digestive issues are becoming more and more
common in children. Even if a child eats
a healthful diet, if his or her digestive system does not function optimally,
the child may not get all of the nutrients he or she needs.8 Lack of optimal digestive function due to
enzyme deficiency can lead to malabsorption of nutrients. Many children may not experience optimal
health because of faulty digestion.8,9
For information on where
to purchase pure nutritional supplements…
Good supplements for children, especially those that cannot swallow
capsules or tablets
Our liquid herbs
Good supplements for older children and adults
Vitamin/Minerals,
Calcium & Vitamin D3 ~ http://www.naturessunshine.com/us/products/Vitamin-and-Mineral/2-124/
Antioxidants
~ http://www.naturessunshine.com/us/products/Cellular/2-229/
We
carry a wide variety of pure, nutritional supplements. I know it can be confusing. Please feel free to contact me for help. Thank You!
Shari Uhazie, CH, CNHC
Herbalist, Natural Health Consultant/Enthusiast
Sunshine Natural Health Shoppe
PO Box 12002, Green Bay, WI 54307-2002
920-639-7645
Shari@SunshineNatural.com
www.SunshineNatural.com
1
“Vitamins for kids: Do healthy kids need vitamins?” Health
& Parenting. Hoffman, M. 13 May 2008. WebMD. 26
March 2009. <
http://www.webmd.com/parenting/vitamins-for-kids-do-healthy-kids-need-vitamins>.
2
Greer, F. R., Krebs, N., F. (2006, February). Optimizing bone health and
calcium intakes of infants, children, and adolescents. Pediatrics,
117(2),
578-585.
3
Wagner, C., L., Greer, F., R. (2008, November). Prevention of rickets and
vitamin D deficiency in infants, children, and adolescents.
Pediatrics,
122(5), 1142-1152.
4
James A Greenberg, J.A., Bell, S. J., & Van Ausdal, W. (2008, Fall).
Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation during pregnancy. Reviews
in
Obstetrics
& Gynecology, 1(4),
162–169.
5
Lui RH. Health benefits of fruit and vegetables are from additive and
synergistic combinations of phytochemicals. Journal
of Clinical
Nutrition.
2003 Sep;78(3 Suppl):517S-520S.
6
“Fruits and Veggies Matter.” 2009. Center for Disease Control. 16 April 2009.
<http://www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov/health_professionals/about.htm>.
7
“Can Foods Forestall Aging?” 2007. US Department of Agriculture. 20 April 2009.
<http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/feb99/aging0299.htm>.
8
Lipski Elizabeth Ph.D, CCN. Digestive Wellness for Children: How to Strengthen
the Immune System & Prevent Disease Through
Healthy
Digestion. California: Basic Health Publications;2006.
9
Oelgoetz AW M.D., Oelgoetz PA B.A., Wittenkind J. RN. The treatment of food
allergy and indigestion of pancreatic origin with
pancreatic enzymes. American
Journal of Digestive Disorders and Nutrition. 1935;2:422–6.
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