The essential vitamins for kids and their specific benefits

 

1. Stronger Bones

Children can run, jump, and play to their hearts’ delight if their bones are in good health! By encouraging bone formation and activating bone-building cells called osteoblasts, Vitamin A helps to keep your bones dense and strong, which can reduce the risk of bone-related issues like fractures.

2. Less Risk of Infections

Vitamin A helps to protect against infections by supporting the production of white blood cells.² It plays a vital role in the immune system’s response to infections. It supports the body’s first line of defense by helping to maintain healthy skin and mucous membranes that act as a barrier against invading pathogens

3. Enhanced Cognitive function

Retinoid acid, which comes from vitamin A, is an important molecule that signals the brain to regulate genes, promote nerve growth and survival, and support brain function. With vitamin A’s support, children can ace their exams, and learn new skills with ease.

4. More Energy from Food

Vitamin B1, also known as thiamine is an amazing nutrient that is essential for turning the food that children eat into energy.  It boosts energy production by speeding up the process of turning sugar into energy while supporting other important enzymes

5. Protected Internal Organs

There’s more to vitamin B1 than meets the eye! This essential nutrient can also provide protection against a range of health issues, including those affecting the heart, stomach, intestines, muscles, neurological system, and brain. Specifically, it can help prevent beriberi, a condition in children characterized by increased heart rate, shortness of breath, and swelling of the lower legs

6. More Balanced Electrolytes

Vitamin B1 plays a role in the penetration of electrolytes into muscle and nerve cells. Electrolytes have a significant impact on various bodily functions, such as maintaining the body’s water balance, regulating the pH of the blood, and keeping the muscles healthy

7. Better Vitamin Absorption

Riboflavin or vitamin B2 is a key component of coenzymes that help with cell growth and energy production, as well as the breakdown of fats, steroids, and medications. Similarly, vitamin B can convert tryptophan into niacin, an important amino acid that helps the body absorb and activate other important vitamins like iron, folic acid, and vitamins B1, B3, and B6. These vitamins are also crucial for maintaining healthy mucous membranes in the digestive system and liver

8. Faster Metabolism

Vitamin B6 is involved in the production of neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that help to relay messages between the cells in the body. This means that vitamin B6 can play a role in supporting cognitive function and mood regulation, which is especially important for growing kids

9. Red Blood Cell Production

If you’re looking to prevent or treat anemia, vitamin B6 may be helpful. This vitamin also plays a key role in the production of red blood cells, which carry oxygen to your body’s tissues

10. Improved Mood

Vitamin B12 may also improve mood! It is necessary for the production and breakdown of serotonin, a substance that controls emotional responses. According to a study, people who received both antidepressants and vitamin B12 were more likely to experience improvements in their depressive symptoms than those who only received antidepressants

11. Protected Cells

Vitamin C works tirelessly to protect your cells from the harmful effects of free radicals.²⁰ These pesky little molecules can cause all sorts of health issues, including heart disease and cancer, but luckily, Vitamin C is there to help save the day

12. Iron Storage

Additionally, Vitamin C also helps your body absorb and store iron, which is essential for optimal health. The body uses iron to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body, and myoglobin, a protein that provides oxygen to muscles.

13. Better Calcium Absorption

Whether you prefer to get your Vitamin D from food, the sun, or supplements, it’s clear that this nutrient is crucial for maintaining a healthy and strong body. This powerhouse nutrient helps build strong bones by helping our bodies absorb calcium and phosphorus.

14. Enhanced Muscular Performance

Incorporating Vitamin D into an everyday routine can impact muscle performance. Not only does it help build and develop them, but it also plays a role in regulating muscle movement. Similarly, having higher levels of Vitamin D has been shown to improve muscle protein production, strength, jump power, and exercise capacity

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The benefits of Biotin on hair and nail health

Biotin, for healthy hair, also called vitamin B8 or vitamin H, biotin is an essential nutrient for good hair health.

Biotin plays a key role in many metabolisms such as the synthesis of amino acids and the degradation of proteins. It is also involved in the normal functioning of the nervous system.

Biotin  is therefore an essential element for the good health of our body. It is just as much when it comes to hair. Indeed, vitamin H is involved in:

1. Hair renewably stimulating regrowth;
2. Stimulation of keratin synthesis. This protein is the main constituent of hair and nails;
3. Protection against dryness of the scalp: by preventing the scalp from losing its elasticity, biotin prevents hair breakage;
4. The synthesis of certain vitamins: biotin indirectly promotes hair regeneration. Indeed, it acts as a coenzyme in the synthesis of vitamins B9 and B12. These are essential for the good health of the hair.

Thanks to all its properties, biotin is often recommended to limit hair loss and influence regrowth. The benefits of vitamin B8 on hair are recognized by European health authorities.

What are the symptoms of biotin deficiency?

Different symptoms can alert you to a possible 

mild biotin deficiency:

• Hair that becomes brittle, fragile, even greasy;
• Daily hair loss that exceeds the normal threshold of 100 hairs;
• Dry skin and scalp;
• The appearance of acne or erythema;
• Brittle and fragile nails;

Taking medications, poor lifestyle, an unbalanced diet, pregnancy or health problems can cause biotin deficiency.

B group vitamins essential for your hair

Biotin isn’t the only thing that affects the health of your hair . Most B vitamins also contribute to the good health of your hair.

Vitamin B5

Vitamin B5 is also called pantothenic acid. This micronutrient is often recommended in combination with biotin to regain healthy hair.

Pantothenic acid would indeed have a beneficial action on the cells of the hair follicle, the hair root. In fact, B5 helps to slow down hair loss.

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Iron deficiency in children: Prevention tips

Iron deficiency in children can affect development and lead to anemia. Find out how much iron your child needs, the best sources of iron and more.

 

Why is iron important for children?

Iron helps move oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. It also helps muscles store and use oxygen. If the child’s diet lacks iron, he might develop an iron deficiency.

The condition is a common problem in children. It can range from mild to serious. Without treatment, it can affect a child’s growth and development.

 

How much iron do children need?

Babies are born with iron stored in their bodies. But a steady amount of iron from food or vitamin supplements is needed to fuel a child’s rapid growth and development. Here’s a guide to iron needs at various ages:

Who’s at risk of iron deficiency?

Infants at highest risk of iron deficiency include those who:

• Are born prematurely or have a low birth weight.
• Drink cow’s milk or goat’s milk before age 1.
• Aren’t given other foods that contain iron after age 6 months.
• Drink formula that isn’t fortified with iron.

Children at highest risk of iron deficiency include those who:

• Are ages 1 to 5 and drink more than 24 ounces (710 milliliters) of cow’s milk, goat’s milk or soy milk a day.
• Have certain health conditions, such as chronic infections or restricted diets.
• Have been exposed to lead.
• Don’t eat enough iron-rich foods.
• Are overweight or obese.

What are the symptoms of iron deficiency in children?

Too little iron can make it harder for your child to function well. But most symptoms of low iron in children don’t appear until iron deficiency anemia happens. If your child has risk factors for an iron deficiency, talk to a member of your child’s health care team.

Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia might include:

• Light pink color, also called pallor, to the lips, gums, edge of the eyelids or to the nail beds.
• Tiredness and low energy, also called fatigue.
• Shortness of breath during exercise.
• Cold hands and feet.
• Slowed growth and development.
• Poor appetite.
• Irregular rapid breathing.
• Behavior problems or more short-tempered than usual.
• Frequent infections.
• Unusual cravings for things that contain few or no nutrients, such as ice, dirt, paint or starch.

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What causes folate-deficiency anemia?

You can develop folate-deficiency anemia if:

• You don’t eat enough foods that have folic acid. These include green leafy vegetables, fresh fruits, fortified cereals, yeast, and meats (including liver).
• You drink too much alcohol
• You have certain diseases of the lower digestive tract, such as celiac disease. This type of anemia also occurs in people with cancer.
• You take certain medicines, such as some used for seizures.
• You are pregnant. This is because the developing baby needs more folic acid. Also, the mother absorbs it more slowly. A lack of folate during pregnancy is linked to major birth defects that affect the brain, spinal cord, and spine (neural tube defects).

What are the symptoms of folate-deficiency anemia?

• Pale skin
• Decreased appetite
• Being grouchy (irritable)
• Lack of energy or tiring easily
• Diarrhea
• Smooth and tender tongue

The symptoms of folate-deficiency anemia may look like other blood conditions or health problems. Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

How is folate-deficiency anemia treated?

Your healthcare provider will figure out the best treatment based on:

• Your age, overall health, and medical history
• How sick you are
• How well you can handle certain medicines, treatments, or therapies
• How long the condition is expected to last
• Your opinion or preference

Treatment may include:

• Vitamin and mineral supplements
• Changes in your diet
• Medicine
• Treating the underlying disease

You may need to take folic acid supplements for at least 2 to 3 months. These may be pills or shots (injections). Eating foods high in folic acid and cutting your alcohol intake are also important. If a digestive tract problem causes your anemia, your provider may treat that first.

Key points about folate-deficiency anemia

• Most folate-deficiency anemia is caused by a lack of folic acid in the diet.
• Leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, beans, and whole grains are natural sources of folic acid.
• Folate-deficiency anemia in pregnancy may cause a neural tube defect. This is when the brain or spinal cord doesn’t develop normally.
• Treatment includes a well-balanced diet of foods with folic acid, folic acid supplements, medicines, and treating underlying diseases.

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