Nutrition is vitally important for children with special needs. For those with conditions like ADD, attention-deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), autism, cerebral palsy, CHARGE syndrome, Down’s, epilepsy, or muscular dystrophy, children’s liquid vitamins can often offer a safe, convenient solution for ensuring nutritionally needs are being met.
Meeting Nutritional Needs
Many children with these conditions are deficient in essential and non-essential vitamins and minerals. For example, children with ADD and ADHD are commonly deficient in B vitamins. Children on the autism spectrum frequently show deficiencies in folate, vitamin B6, and magnesium. These deficiencies are sometimes caused by food intolerances and allergies.
Children with cerebral palsy often have low bone density because of long-term use of anticonvulsant medications. Thus, calcium and vitamin D3 are very important. Low bone density is also an issue for many children with epilepsy and muscular dystrophy.
For children with CHARGE syndrome, liquid vitamins for kids are particularly beneficial because of the neurogenic swallowing problems that are common. Liquid vitamins are inherently easier to administer than pills, capsules, or even gummy vitamins.
While obtaining balanced nutrition through the diet is ideal, children’s liquid vitamins offer many benefits for those with special needs. They can be conveniently added to beverages to regulate dosages, and the absorption rate is typically higher than that of other types of multivitamins. Most medical experts would agree that the best liquid vitamins for kids will be free from artificial colors, preservatives, and sweeteners.
Parents are advised to discuss the nutritional needs of their children with their doctors before trying something on their own. Some nutritional substances can help some disabilities. As well, some can worsen others. Nutritional supplements should be chosen both for the specific medical condition and the needs of the child. With the right diet and appropriate supplementation, you can assure your special needs child is receiving the best nutrition possible.
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Vitamin D3 Supplements for Kids with Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is the most common childhood condition associated with osteoporosis, a skeletal disorder characterized by compromised bone strength that can lead to an increased risk of fracture. Bone density is decreased with children with cerebral palsy, and they often sustain fractures from traumas that impair their mobility and quality of life. Because of this, many medical experts recommend vitamin D3 supplements for kids with cerebral palsy along with additional calcium to help support bone strengthening.
Children with cerebral palsy are at risk of acquiring bone density issues for a number of reasons. First, because of general muscle weakness and decreased overall movement, bone growth and development is hindered. In normal development, bone growth depends on forces placed on the bone by the muscles and the mechanical loading of the bone. Without this, particularly in females, bones are shorter and less bulky than those without the condition.
Dietary issues may also be a factor when it comes to children with osteoporosis and other conditions affecting the bones. In a study published in 1999, over 90% of individuals with cerebral palsy had one or more significant gastrointestinal symptoms which include difficulty swallowing, regurgitation, abdominal pain, pulmonary aspiration, and chronic constipation. Because of these symptoms, many children with the condition are undernourished. Vitamin D supplements, along with a well-formulated multivitamin are often recommended.
Finally, vitamin D is produced by the skin when it is exposed to the sun. Many children with cerebral palsy spend little or no time outdoors which prevents the body’s natural production of the vitamin. While fortified milk can certainly provide some amount of vitamin D3, it is not always recommended for children with cerebral palsy who have gastrointestinal problems.
Before starting a regimen of vitamin D3 supplements for kids, it’s important to discuss your child’s nutritional needs with your physician. With the right information in hand, you can maximize your chance to provide well-balanced nutrition now and as your child continues to grow.
Children with cerebral palsy are at risk of acquiring bone density issues for a number of reasons. First, because of general muscle weakness and decreased overall movement, bone growth and development is hindered. In normal development, bone growth depends on forces placed on the bone by the muscles and the mechanical loading of the bone. Without this, particularly in females, bones are shorter and less bulky than those without the condition.
Dietary issues may also be a factor when it comes to children with osteoporosis and other conditions affecting the bones. In a study published in 1999, over 90% of individuals with cerebral palsy had one or more significant gastrointestinal symptoms which include difficulty swallowing, regurgitation, abdominal pain, pulmonary aspiration, and chronic constipation. Because of these symptoms, many children with the condition are undernourished. Vitamin D supplements, along with a well-formulated multivitamin are often recommended.
Finally, vitamin D is produced by the skin when it is exposed to the sun. Many children with cerebral palsy spend little or no time outdoors which prevents the body’s natural production of the vitamin. While fortified milk can certainly provide some amount of vitamin D3, it is not always recommended for children with cerebral palsy who have gastrointestinal problems.
Before starting a regimen of vitamin D3 supplements for kids, it’s important to discuss your child’s nutritional needs with your physician. With the right information in hand, you can maximize your chance to provide well-balanced nutrition now and as your child continues to grow.
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Could Natural Multivitamins for Kids Solve Bedtime Struggles?
Getting sufficient sleep is important to your child’s growth and development. Poor sleep habits that get established early in life can lead to long-term learning difficulties, as well as behavioral problems, and greater irritability. When it comes to getting enough sleep, balanced nutrition is essential. Ideally, this should come in the form of what your child eats each day. However, for children who have dietary challenges or certain health conditions, natural multivitamins for kids may be a smart solution for ensuring they obtain the necessary nutrients to support sufficient sleep.
While no single vitamin will enable your child to fall asleep, some vitamins can encourage more sleep and improved sleep quality. The following vitamins, which can be found in quality formulas of kids natural vitamins, have been shown to be beneficial to healthy slumber.
Vitamin B6
This water-soluble vitamin can be found in many foods such as fish, vegetables, and some fruits, along with the leading brands of natural multivitamins for kids. Vitamin B6 is beneficial to sleep because it helps the body produce tryptophan, an amino acid that is needed to produce serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps to regulate mood, appetite, and sleep.
Vitamin B12
This important B vitamin helps the body produce melatonin, a hormone that supports healthy sleep. It’s found in salmon, beef, and many fortified foods, as well in most multivitamin supplements.
Vitamin D3
In a 2014 study, researchers concluded that low vitamin D levels were linked with a variety of conditions that can cause sleep disorders. The study also showed that low levels of vitamin D could actually lead to sleep disruption and overall poor quality sleep. While the daily requirement of vitamin D can be met with 15 minutes of direct sun exposure, many children do not get enough exposure to produce sufficient levels of the vitamin. A formula of natural multivitamins for kids that contains vitamin D3 can be the solution.
If you have a child that is struggling with sleep-related issues, you may want to discuss multivitamins with your pediatrician. In many cases, the addition of a high quality kids natural multivitamin may be the answer to less battles at bedtime and more alertness in the morning.
While no single vitamin will enable your child to fall asleep, some vitamins can encourage more sleep and improved sleep quality. The following vitamins, which can be found in quality formulas of kids natural vitamins, have been shown to be beneficial to healthy slumber.
Vitamin B6
This water-soluble vitamin can be found in many foods such as fish, vegetables, and some fruits, along with the leading brands of natural multivitamins for kids. Vitamin B6 is beneficial to sleep because it helps the body produce tryptophan, an amino acid that is needed to produce serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps to regulate mood, appetite, and sleep.
Vitamin B12
This important B vitamin helps the body produce melatonin, a hormone that supports healthy sleep. It’s found in salmon, beef, and many fortified foods, as well in most multivitamin supplements.
Vitamin D3
In a 2014 study, researchers concluded that low vitamin D levels were linked with a variety of conditions that can cause sleep disorders. The study also showed that low levels of vitamin D could actually lead to sleep disruption and overall poor quality sleep. While the daily requirement of vitamin D can be met with 15 minutes of direct sun exposure, many children do not get enough exposure to produce sufficient levels of the vitamin. A formula of natural multivitamins for kids that contains vitamin D3 can be the solution.
If you have a child that is struggling with sleep-related issues, you may want to discuss multivitamins with your pediatrician. In many cases, the addition of a high quality kids natural multivitamin may be the answer to less battles at bedtime and more alertness in the morning.
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Combating Measles with Kids Multivitamins
Measles has been in the news lately because of a fast-spreading outbreak that has led to dozens of children being diagnosed in multiple states. While immunization is the best defense, it isn’t foolproof. For children who are not or cannot be vaccinated, there are increased risks. Preventative measures, such as getting sufficient vitamin A found in kids multivitamins, may help prevent transmission and serious complications.
In numerous studies, vitamin A was shown to lower the incidence of deaths due to measles in hospitalized children under the age of two years. This includes helping to prevent pneumonia and other complications. With up to 10 percent of children in some communities not vaccinated, the need for preventative strategies is necessary. Kids multivitamins that offer the daily requirement of vitamin A may be able to increase immunity to help fight the measles virus.
Nearly all medical experts will agree that the best strategy for preventing measles is to immunize children with the MMR vaccine with the first dose being given at the age of 12 to 15 months. A second dose is typically administered at four to six years of age.
For babies and children who can’t get the vaccine, such as those with cancer or certain conditions affecting their immunity, preventative measures are the best strategy. A daily dose of kids multivitamins may be a smart option worth discussing with your pediatrician. Along with providing the daily requirement of vitamin A, a balanced formula of kids vitamins can provide all daily essential and non-essential vitamins along with minerals and probiotics which help support a healthy immune system.
With an increasing number of children not vaccinated for measles, the chance of an outbreak is greater than it has been in generations. Even children who are vaccinated can benefit from taking daily kids multivitamins to boost immunity against the measles virus and others that can cause a variety of complications.
In numerous studies, vitamin A was shown to lower the incidence of deaths due to measles in hospitalized children under the age of two years. This includes helping to prevent pneumonia and other complications. With up to 10 percent of children in some communities not vaccinated, the need for preventative strategies is necessary. Kids multivitamins that offer the daily requirement of vitamin A may be able to increase immunity to help fight the measles virus.
Nearly all medical experts will agree that the best strategy for preventing measles is to immunize children with the MMR vaccine with the first dose being given at the age of 12 to 15 months. A second dose is typically administered at four to six years of age.
For babies and children who can’t get the vaccine, such as those with cancer or certain conditions affecting their immunity, preventative measures are the best strategy. A daily dose of kids multivitamins may be a smart option worth discussing with your pediatrician. Along with providing the daily requirement of vitamin A, a balanced formula of kids vitamins can provide all daily essential and non-essential vitamins along with minerals and probiotics which help support a healthy immune system.
With an increasing number of children not vaccinated for measles, the chance of an outbreak is greater than it has been in generations. Even children who are vaccinated can benefit from taking daily kids multivitamins to boost immunity against the measles virus and others that can cause a variety of complications.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)