insideKENT Magazine Issue 74 - May 2018 | Page 131

DO YOUNG CHILDREN BENEFIT FROM TAKING VITAMINS IN SUPPORT OF
A HEALTHY DIET?
A whole food, varied diet is of utmost importance for children,
but in reality convincing children to eat a wide variety of foods
can be difficult. Growing children require an abundance of nutrients
and it may be useful to provide a children’s multivitamin, especially
during growth spurts or fussy eating stages.
insideKENT recommends: ViridiKid Multivitamin
& Mineral Tiny Capsules (2-14 years), ViridiKid
100% Organic Omega-3 Oil (1-14 years) and
ViridiKid Vitamin D3 Drops (6 months-14 years).
Research suggests that infants and children in the UK do not meet
recommended micronutrient intakes from dietary consumption.
Subsequently, sub-optimal levels particularly in iron, iodine,
vitamin A, vitamin D and zinc may have negative consequences
on cognitive and physical development in childhood as they are
involved with important developmental milestones such as the
growth and development of the immune system, visual health,
gastrointestinal integrity, maintenance of healthy bones, and the
transportation of calcium (involved in a variety of metabolic
processes in the body).
Water-soluble B vitamins are required for a variety of functions
including the production of energy, hormones and DNA
production and repair. Crucially, folate and B12 are also required
for cognitive development and motor functioning in infants and
children. Iron is required for oxygen transportation in the body
and essential for cognitive and neurodevelopment; Zinc is
necessary for gastrointestinal function, immune function and cell
regeneration; and Vitamin C supports immune function, enhances
gastrointestinal absorption of nonheme iron, and has an essential
role in collagen production and the development of bone and soft
tissues. Finally, iodine is essential for the synthesis of thyroid
hormones. In infants and children particularly, iodine is required
for neurological function, brain development and motor function
as iodine deficiency may impair brain function and growth.
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