As a parent I get asked a lot if supplements for kids are beneficial. The answer is, yes - some supplements for children can be beneficial! However, with their growing systems, we need to ensure they’re getting the highest quality supplements that are designed and tested for them!
It is important to ensure that your child receives all the necessary nutrients for their growth and development. While a balanced diet and exercise are absolutely essential, sometimes children may not get enough of the necessary vitamins and minerals from their diet alone. This is where supplementation comes in.
Supplements for children are designed to provide additional nutrients that may be lacking in their diet. The benefits of supplementation for children are backed by scientific research. Here are some of the benefits of supplementation for children, supported by research:
- Promotes Healthy Growth and Development: Growing children require a wide range of nutrients to support their rapid growth and development. Studies have shown that children who take multivitamin and mineral supplements have improved growth compared to those who do not take supplements. [1]
- Boosts Immune System: Vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Zinc are important for immune function. Supplementation with these nutrients can help reduce the incidence and severity of infections in children. [2]
- Enhances Cognitive Function: Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil supplements can help improve cognitive function and even reduce symptoms of ADHD in children. [3]
• Builds Strong Bones: Calcium and Vitamin D are essential for healthy bone development in children.
When choosing supplements for children, it is important to select pharmaceutical grade supplements rather than retail brands.
Pharmaceutical grade supplements are made to a higher standard than retail brands. They are rigorously tested for quality, purity, and potency, and are made using pharmaceutical-grade raw materials. This means that they are free from contaminants and have higher bioavailability, which means they are more easily absorbed by the body.
Retail brands, on the other hand, may not be held to the same standards. A study found that some retail brand children's multivitamins contained less than 50% of the labeled nutrient content. [5] The potency and purity of retail brands may also vary, making it difficult to know if your child is getting the full benefits of the supplement.
Of course, a healthy diet should ALWAYS be the primary focus, and supplements should only be used to complement it.
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Sources:
[1] Bailey RL, Fulgoni VL 3rd, Keast DR, Dwyer JT. Examination of vitamin intakes among US adults by dietary supplement use. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2012 Oct;112(10):657-63.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.jand.2012.05.015. Epub 2012 Aug 1. PMID: 23017455.
[2] Hemilä H. Vitamin C and infections. Nutrients. 2017 Mar 29;9(4):339. doi: 10.3390/nu9040339. PMID: 28353648; PMCID: PMC5409678.
[3] Bloch MH, Qawasmi A. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation for the treatment of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptomatology: systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2011 Oct;50(10):991-1000. doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2011.06.008. Epub 2011 Aug 17. PMID: 21961774.