Health Tips Parenting And Daily Health Fitness Updates
Children need to eat healthy as their growth, both physical and mental, is at a rapid rate as compared to adults. The food they eat should have all nutritional components like Vitamins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, water, and fiber in a balanced proportion.
Today there are so many “instant” meals and convenient foods that appeal more to children than the good old home-cooked meal. Because of this, their diets run short of providing the necessary nutrients and the children begin to have symptoms of various health problems besides combating obesity.
It is up to the parents to see that children eat a well-balanced diet to ensure their healthy, normal growth physically and mentally. Some parents tend to think that children grow rapidly between 0 to 4 years and supplements should be given only then. This is a wrong notion because children need the right intake of nutrient supplements all through adolescence too.
Consult a physician to find out whether your child is eating right and what supplements should be given.
The supplements children need include
Multivitamins
For normal growth, energy, improving the immune system, digestion, metabolism, concentration, liver, nerve, brain, and muscle functions
Fats for normal bowel function, healthy skin, eyes, hair, and nails. Omega 3 fatty acids found in fish and flax seeds are helpful in maintaining the brain and nervous system. Some essential fatty acids have anti-inflammation capability. It has been found that regular intake of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) supplements (found in fish oil) has helped students perform better at school.
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Minerals
Zinc, Magnesium, Iron, and Calcium are important nutrients that keep children healthy.
Zinc in the form of Zinc Citrate: Children suffering from ADHD are found to have depleted measures of zinc in their bodies. Zinc is essential for keeping the sensory part of the brain healthy. It helps maintain visual memory, emotional stability, cognitive skills thinking, and memory power. Deficiency of Zinc may lead to learning disabilities and cause behavioral concerns
Fluoride supplement:
If your child drinks well water then he may be deprived of fluoride that is found in the municipal water supply. The deficiency of fluoride leads to weaker bones and teeth. However, care should be taken when administering dosage because excess fluoride can also cause problems.
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Iron:
It provides essential building blocks for hemoglobin that carries oxygen via the red blood cells to all cells in the body. Iron supplements are a must for children who are found to have a depleted reserve of iron in their bodies
Calcium:
Children with calcium deficiency show symptoms like premature graying of hair and uneven skin tone. Calcium helps keep bones and teeth healthy. Some children with calcium deficiency seem to have a compulsive urge to eat chalk pieces or even toothpaste! Children who do not like milk and its products will really benefit from additional calcium supplements.
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Carbohydrates and protein
Supplements are necessary. Fortified cereals are ideal for these supplements.
Appreciating your child’s need for nutritional supplements and providing them in the best manner possible will lead to a brighter, healthier tomorrow. Be wary of fake supplements and consult your child’s physician to learn how much is good enough for your child. Stuffing children with supplements they do not really need is also a pitfall one must guard against.
Nutritional supplements are surely necessary for children. More often than not, they do not get it from their meals and snacks. There are hundreds of vitamin, mineral and fatty acid supplement flooding the market. You have to be careful while selection. For this the physician will be able to help you. Giving children the right amount of supplements will ensure their good health.
