Most young
children will choose a cookie over brussel sprouts any day. If you can’t get
your child to eat their fruit and veggies, nutrition experts agree that a
high-quality children’s multivitamin can provide important missing nutrients
for developing brains and bodies. Many times children need more than just a
multiple. Here are some of the top picks experts had chosen.
Calcium
Most multiple for
children provide less than 100 mg calcium, recommended daily intake 1,000 mg
for ages 4 to 8; 1,300 mg for age 9 and older.
If your children
eat dairy or fortified foods (soy milk, orange juice, tofu), they may be
getting plenty. If not, consider giving
them supplements with calcium as well as magnesium and vitamin D, which growing
bones need to absorb calcium. Many calcium supplements come in kid friendly
chewable forms.
Dose: In addition to a daily multivitamin, take 200 mg
calcium and 400–600 IU vitamin D3. Caution some multivitamins contain these
amounts.
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Kids vitamins and kids calcium will be in soon!
Magnesium
Magnesium is one
of the hardest supplements to get from food since its sources come from foods
most kids don’t like, dark green leafy vegetables, nuts, whole grains. Beyond
bones, magnesium supports muscle and nerve function as well as playing a role
in sleep and moods and bowel regularity. Some research shows that low magnesium
levels have been linked to ADHD and hyperactivity.
Dose: Up to 100 mg magnesium in the morning and evening
daily. Powdered or liquid magnesium supplements can be a good way to tailor
dose to individual needs.
Try: We carry a new
powdered magnesium powder easy to add into fruit drinks and smoothes..
Omega-3s
Unless your child
is eating three or more servings a week of fatty fish like salmon, sardines, or
tuna ,they are most likely deficient in fish oil. EPA and DHA, the
omega-3 essential fatty acids from fish oil, are critical for development of
the eyes and brain. Children deficient in omega 3 have been shown to be more
aggressive and show a higher rate of depression, as well as ADHD. Omega-3has
been shown to treat and prevent allergies and asthma.
Dose: Children over age 4 need about 250 mg DHA and 180 mg
EPA daily; teens need about 500 mg DHA and 365 mg EPA. Choose a high-quality,
citrus-flavored fish oil or cod-liver oil, in liquid, soft gel, or gummy form.
For the vegetarian, look for an algae-sourced DHA-EPA product.
Try: Now have a nice
omega formula for children in liquid
Probiotics
These friendly
gut bacteria improve digestion, ease constipation, and support the immune
system. Children in day-care centers, who take probiotics, get fewer colds and
ear infections. Kids can get probiotics from eating yogurt, but the high sugar
content in flavored yogurts diminishes the benefits, use the plain yogurt and
add your own fresh fruit to get the benefits as well as reduce the sugar load
and it is more economical. Give this product to give your child after they’ve
been treated with an antibiotic, this may boost the immune system and eliminate
the next sickness
Dose: 10 billion CFU or more daily, as needed.
Try; Don’t skimp on
quality get a good quality probiotic we are building immune systems
Vitamin D
Our body makes Vitamin
D. It is not truly a Vitamin but a hormone. The sun is most times not enough
for most kids since we are not in the sun long enough to get all the benefits.
Milk contains addition Vit D but it is not enough and it is synthetic Vit D2 .
Vitamin D is found naturally in foods such as eggs, cod liver oil and fish in
the form of D3 which is important for immunity and bone health. Cautious where
your eggs and food comes from fresh organic is best and no cage raised.
Dose:400–2,000 IU
daily. The Institute of Medicine recently doubled its recommendation for
children to 400 IU daily, but many kids may need more. It is easy test to see
what amount vitamin d your child has get a blood test Remember Vit d is good
but to much is bad do not over due it with out testing first!
Try: There are now Vit
d drops for infants as well.
Zinc
A building block
for a healthy immune system, this trace mineral supports the senses of taste
and smell. Picky eaters who crave sugar may be deficient in zinc It’s essential
for sexual development at puberty. Red meat, Chicken and beans are all good
sources for zinc.
Dose: 2–4 mg of a as zinc or look for a multi mineral liquid
that includes calcium, magnesium, and zinc.
Try: Another easily
tested vitamin to test ,ask about the zinc tally test.
It’s a good idea to talk to your
health care provider before starting a new supplement.
Team Chiropractor
Reading Royals
Team Chiropractor
Reading Express
www.kulpchiropractic.com
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Facebook: facebook.com/kulpchiropractic
t: 610-2080-0404
f :610-208-0717
