Back to School Essential Vitamins for Kids
The new school year is upon us and you want to do everything you can to keep your children healthy and well. You want them to be able to focus, concentrate and do their best in school. There are many lifestyle tips to help keep your kids in good health, such as eating healthy, avoiding sugar and processed foods, staying active with regular exercise and getting a good night’s sleep.
One way to make sure your children are getting the nutrients their body needs is through high-quality vitamins and supplements. Take a look at the many health benefits of some of these vitamins:
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is well-known for its role in helping to boost the immune system. Besides helping to fight infections, vitamin C helps control allergies since it is a natural antihistamine. It also promotes skin health since it is essential for the formation of collagen. Vitamin C strengthens the adrenal glands which is a key factor in reducing unwanted stress in not only adults, but in children, too.
Vitamin C contributes to immune defense by supporting various cellular functions of both the innate and adaptive immune system. Research demonstrates that supplementation with vitamin C appears to be able to protect against respiratory and systemic infections. A vitamin C deficiency results in impaired immunity and higher susceptibility to infections. (1)
Vitamin D
Vitamin D, also known as the sunshine vitamin, has an array of health benefits including supporting immune health. Research shows that vitamin D supplementation is safe and protective against acute respiratory tract infections. (2) Vitamin D also helps keep your bones strong by promoting normal bone growth and development. It may also help in improving depressed moods.
Zinc
Zinc is a trace mineral that is well-known for helping to boost the immune system. Research shows that zinc is crucial for normal development and function of cells that moderate immunity. (3) It is important for growth and development. It also supports healthy vision and helps with wound healing. Zinc has even been shown to reduce the severity and duration of diarrhea in children (4).
B-Complex
The B vitamins help increase energy levels, support skin and eye health, and support a healthy immune system and nerve function. B vitamins may also help maintain mood. B vitamins are absolutely essential for every aspect of brain function. (5) Vitamin B6 has been implicated in the regulation of immune responses that are associated with a wide range of diseases, including inflammation. (6) Research shows that vitamin B12 acts as an immunomodulator for cellular immunity. (7)
Probiotics
Probiotics, also known as good bacteria, help improve digestive health. Your gastrointestinal (GI) tract needs this beneficial bacteria to stay healthy. Probiotics can help improve skin health and allergies. It’s helpful to take probiotics after taking antibiotics to replace the good bacteria in your gut.
Research demonstrates that probiotics are safe and may be useful in helping protect against the common cold and influenza-like respiratory infections by helping to boost the immune system. Besides immune system stimulation, other benefits of probiotics include controlling gastrointestinal infections, improvement in lactose metabolism, anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic properties, cholesterol reduction, and improvement in inflammatory bowel disease. (8)
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids have many health benefits, especially for brain function. The human brain is made of nearly 60 percent fat. Fatty acids are among the most crucial molecules that determine your brain health and ability to perform. Research studies have related an imbalanced dietary intake of fatty acids to impaired brain performance and disease. (9) You can get omega-3 fatty acids in a good fish oil supplement. Some examples of healthy foods high in omega-3 fatty acids are avocados, walnuts, fish (mackerel, salmon, herring…), chia seeds, flax seeds, spinach, egg yolks, Brussels sprouts, Brazil nuts, and cashews.
Our Top Supplement Picks for Kids
Nutri-Kids Grape Multi-Vitamin Chewable Tablets
Nutri-Kids Grape Multi-Vitamin is a great-tasting, chewable multi-vitamin designed for children ages 4 and up. It provides important antioxidants, a full B complex and the easily absorbed minerals calcium, zinc and magnesium. It contains vitamin D, promoting bone, heart and brain health. It supports focus and concentration that can help them with their schoolwork. Its delicious grape flavor will have your kids begging for their vitamins every day!
Probiotic Blend for Kids (Chewables)
Probiotic Blend for Kids has a great tasting berry flavor and contains the following:
- 10 probiotic strains
- 2 billion CFU per chewable tablet
- Sweetened with Xylitol
- Contains no: Soy, Nut, Gluten, Dairy, or Egg
- 60 chewables per bottle
Kids and Teen Vitamin Paks
Do you want to make taking vitamins easier? Dr. Hotze has formulated vitamin paks for kids and teens! All their daily vitamins are in one pack.
The Kids Pak Includes:
- Nutri-Kids Grape Chewable Tablets – Great tasting, chewable multivitamin, mineral and trace element supplement designed for children ages 4 and up. It provides 28 vitamins, minerals and trace elements.
- Vitamin C Buffered Powder – Great orange flavor
- Childrens Probiotic
The Teen Pak Includes:
- 1 Vitamin C 1,000 mg Capsule
- 1 Energy Formula Multivitamin Capsule
- 2 Vitamin D3 1,000 iu Softgels
- 1 Probiotic Blend Capsule
- 1 B-Complex Capsule
Healthy Snacks for Kids
Here are some quick and easy snack ideas to help you out in the new school year, as well:
- Celery sticks with almond butter
- Apple slices with almond butter
- Baggie of raw nuts: almonds, walnuts, pecans (for older children and teens, and be aware of any nut allergies they may have)
- Fresh veggies with hummus
- Unsweetened applesauce
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Turkey or chicken and avocado roll-up
- Fruit
Here’s to a safe and healthy new school year!
We are Here for You.
Do you have questions about supplements for your children? We are here to help. Please call our Certified Holistic Nutritionists and Vitamin Consultants with any questions about your vitamin needs or health concerns at (281) 646-1659. It will be our privilege to serve you.
Research:
1. Vitamin C and Immune Function
2. The Role of Vitamin D in the Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Infection and Mortality
3. Zinc in Human Health: Effect of Zinc on Immune Cells
4. Role of Zinc in Pediatric Diarrhea
5. B Vitamins and the Brain: Mechanisms, Dose and Efficacy—A Review
6. Effects of Vitamin B6 Deficiency on the Composition and Functional Potential of T Cell Populations
