Learn How Kids DHA Supplements Can Support Your Child’s Health

There’s a lot of information out there about DHA for kids and whether it makes sense to give children kids DHA supplements. There are many opinions, and new research findings continue to get published on the topic. What is known is that omega-3 fatty acids (both docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)) are necessary for good health in both children and adults.

Why Is DHA for Kids So Important?
DHA is necessary for brain development, not unlike how calcium is required for bone growth. When a child is deficient in DHA, emotional and intellectual development can be negatively affected. For kids to get the recommended amount of DHA, they would typically need to eat fish at least twice a week. Fatty fish like tuna and salmon have more DHA than leaner fish like sole and trout.

Parents have it easy when it comes to kids who like to eat fish. However, most children aren’t that enthusiastic about it. This is where kids DHA supplements make sense.  Yes, there are plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids such as flaxseed and walnuts. But, they do not convert well into DHA in the body. This is why many adult vegetarians opt to take fish oil supplements to get their daily requirement.

Studies Prove the Importance of Kids DHA Supplements
A recent study of children ages 7 to 9 who had below average reading scores were tested for DHA levels. They were found to have low levels of DHA and other omega-3 fats. Other studies have shown a link between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and low levels of DHA.

Even research studying infants has shown significant benefits of DHA. Specifically, higher levels of DHA were connected with better performance on learning, vocabulary, and intelligence tests.

One of the easiest ways to incorporate more DHA into your child’s diet is with a natural supplement like Animal Parade DHA chewables which provide the essential fatty acids needed for brain development in a delicious softgel kids love.

With Multi Vitamins Kids Can Get the Nutrients They Need for Studying

It’s simply a fact that children who receive proper nutrition each and every day perform better in school than those who don’t. With multi vitamins kids can obtain the vitamins and minerals that they are lacking in their diet.

Children are continuously growing both physically and mentally throughout their early years. It only makes sense that they need a balanced diet of nutrients to support proper brain function.  The challenge is always getting kids to eat the foods necessary to get adequate amounts of essential vitamins and minerals. In many cases, the addition of multi vitamins for kids can be the solution.

When choosing multi vitamins, kids need a well-rounded formula that provides a full range of vitamins and minerals to boost brain power. Here’s what to look for:

Vitamin C
Almost all multi vitamins for kids contain vitamin C, and for good reason! It is essential for keeping the immune system functioning properly. Vitamin C also helps in the production of neurotransmitters in the brain which help process information learned in school.

B Vitamins
B vitamin deficiencies can produce a range of negative physical effects on kids including memory loss, sluggishness, and mental slowness. You will want to specifically look for vitamins for kids that contain the daily requirement of both vitamin B12 and B6.

Vitamin E
As an antioxidant, vitamin E helps the brain function properly by protecting red blood cells from damage.

Iron
This important mineral is often found in multi vitamins. Kids formulas of multi vitamins should have no more than 100% of the daily requirement.

Multi Vitamins Kids Will Like
It’s important to discuss vitamins for kids with your doctor. You will want to mention any medications, supplements, and medical issues so that you can receive information on how and if you should provide your child with a multi vitamin.

Most children prefer chewable multi vitamins for kids. Leading brands, such as Animal Parade Gold Children’s Chewable offers a complete formula of vitamins and minerals along with great natural fruit flavors.

The Advantages of Natural Vitamins for Babies

Because of the rapid growth rate of infants and older babies, their need for consistent, balanced nutrition is vital. Ideally, these nutritional needs should be met by providing breast milk, fortified formula and healthy meal choices rich in vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins once then begin eating solid food. However, many babies are fussy eaters, and others require additional nutrients because of specific health issues. This is when it may make sense to explore natural vitamins for babies.

If you are wondering if you should be introducing a vitamin into your baby’s diet, the first step is to discuss your baby’s nutritional needs with your pediatrician. Most likely he or she will have a definitive opinion about the need for a multi-vitamin for babies. Don’t be hesitant to ask if there is truly a reason for vitamin supplementation a. In many cases, they will be getting sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals through breast milk or formula. At this early age, baby food only supplies a small portion of the daily requirements needed.

If supplementation could be beneficial to your baby’s health, you will need to evaluate supplements to determine which one will provide the most optimal benefits. Typically, a natural vitamin for babies is preferable because it will be free of artificial colors, preservatives, sweeteners, and flavors. This type of supplementation is also often free of yeast, wheat, soy, and milk which can be a good choice for babies with food allergies and sensitivities. A multi-vitamin for babies is usually in the form of a liquid drop to make them easy to administer – particularly for infants. These drops, such as Animal Parade Baby Plex Sugar-Free Liquid Drops, can be simply mixed with juice or water.

Keep in mind that the need for supplementation will change as your baby grows. In some cases, a multi-vitamin for babies isn’t necessary once they are receiving the majority of their daily calories from food. But, some older babies who are becoming more active require supplementation to meet their daily requirements. Again, it’s important to discuss these needs with your pediatrician.

Vitamin D deficiency is one of the most common deficiencies found in babies, and it is one to specifically watch out for. This is particularly true for infants being breast-fed by malnourished women or those who are lacking sufficient sunlight exposure. If you live in a region where there is minimal sunlight or if you have a baby with darker skin, it’s quite possible that your baby is deficient in vitamin D.

The American Academy of Pediatrics released new recommendations for vitamin D supplementation, and now suggests that infants and children have a minimum daily intake of 400 IU of vitamin D each day. Thus, it’s a good idea to specifically check on the labels of natural vitamins for babies to determine if there is sufficient vitamin D.

While it can be somewhat challenging to determine the specific nutritional needs of your baby, it’s a good idea to keep track of their consumption of breast milk, formula, solid foods, and supplements and share this information with your pediatrician. Together, with this information, you’ll have the best chance of creating a nutritional plan that will meet the needs of your baby.

Childrens Multi Vitamins Can Bridge the Nutritional Gap

Have you asked yourself if your children’s diet is balanced? It’s most likely not if they’re primarily eating fast-fixed, pre-made, and packaged meals. Because of the ever increasing popularity of these processed foods, the need for childrens multi vitamins is growing.

There are a variety of factors that play a part in a balanced diet for children. Eating habits, appetite, the quantity and quality of the food provided, how it is prepared, food sensitivities, and allergies can all affect the amount of nutrition a child takes in.

Presently, the North American diet is high in processed, refined foods that contain high levels of sugar, simple carbohydrates, artificial color and flavorings, preservatives, and fat. Most of these foods also have few vitamins and minerals and don’t have measurable amounts of fiber. A diet that primarily consists of processed foods can lead to a variety of metabolic conditions including hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer.

Studies have shown that more than 50 percent of children do not get even the recommended daily allowance of many nutrients. And when a child isn’t getting sufficient nutrients from their diet, childrens multi vitamins can be a big benefit.

Making healthy diet choices can be tough when you are dealing with a picky eater. And, it’s never a good idea to assume that your growing boy or girl is getting the right amount of vitamins and minerals just because they’re eating the average home-cooked meal or school lunch. In many cases, these children are not.

Multi vitamins for kids can serve as nutritional insurance by providing in supplement form the nutrients that are needed each and every day. In fact, supplementation combined with a well-rounded diet is often the best choice for meeting a growing child’s nutritional requirements.

What to Look for in Childrens Multi Vitamins
If your child could benefit from multi vitamins for kids, it’s always a smart idea to choose a supplement that provides all essential vitamins and minerals along with enzymes and bioflavonoids for absorption and activity. Adequate levels of vitamin D3 and vitamin K2 along with lutein and probiotics are also important.

By providing your child with high quality childrens multi-vitamins, you’re investing in their long-term health and well-being.