Kids Need Nutritional Supplements?

  

The birth of a child is a precious gift for every parent. Raising a child is demanding with non-ending worries about their academic performance, personal development, interests and health.  A good starting point is very crucial for a child’s health which affects their adulthood later.  Not to mention kids are being raised in a more challenging environment, exposed to more toxins, pollution and stress.  Air and water pollution, pesticides, sun exposure, preservatives, radiation, smoke, fatty foods and stress are factors that raise free radical levels, affecting both young and old.  A sick child requires lots of attention and money spent on medication.  These days children seem to be commonly sick with fever, flu, cold, cough and Hand Foot and Mouth Disease.

Most parents buy education or health insurance to protect their kids’ future.  However, a child’s future is also much dependent on their current health status and nutrition status from infancy.  According to statistics, 70% of school-going children are malnourished despite better living standards. Common complaint is children are too selective in the food they eat.

For instance, most parents misunderstand that chubby kids do not suffer from nutrient deficiency and will slim down naturally once they reach puberty.  In fact, obesity remains even at maturity and danger lurks when health condition deteriorates.  What is noticeable is children tend to overeat on high protein and high fat diet from fast food laden with fats and sugar.

What should be done to change dietary habits?

The idea of a balanced dietary intake, at a regular mealtime must be promoted amongst children.  Breakfast should never be missed.  To make healthy food more appealing, parents can cut fruits and vegetables into finger-food size or by using a mix of many colors.

Any nutrient deficiency should be made up with nutrtional supplements.  Kids with severe, chronic iron deficiency score poorly in various aspects like visual-motor integration, quantitative or numerical concepts, visual matching and performance IQ.  Those lacking in Vitamins are found to be compromising in immune system.  Examples -

+  One very important nutrient is folic acid that causes approximate 200,000 severe defects each year and is associated with heart-related deaths for about 1 in 10 adults.  Hence, pregnant women should not overlook this.

+  Newborns grow rapidly during the first few years, and their brains are 90% developed by age 5.  It is known that essential fatty acids – docosahexaenoic acid  (DHA) from deep-sea fish is particular important for the development of the brain’s grey matter and retina.

+  Children above 3 years old tend to reduce consumption of milk and may suffer calcium and iron deficiency.

+  Inadequate intake of zinc and folic acid can prevent the intestine from absorbing nutrients properly. Mal-absorption commonly occurs when a child suffers severe stomach or intestinal flu.  This is more serious when children take frequent courses of antibiotics that destroy the intestinal flora.

In general, children like adults, need a balance of vitamins, minerals and protein for optimal body function.  Nutrients work synergistically, which means that certain vitamins and minerals work cooperatively in different metabolic pathways in our cells and tissues.

VIVA corner:

Children should take supplements to make up for any deficient, ranging from 1/3 (2-6 yrs old) to 1/2 (6-12 yrs old) of adult’s dosage.

+  VIVA Kids Plus is formulated with natural fruits concentrates, served to ensure children meet their nutritional daily requirement, with adequate and multiple amount of vitamins and minerals present for normal growth and development, strengthening bones, nervous and immune system.

+  VIVA Chloroguard combines 4 different types of algae – proprietary blend of spirulina, chlorella, Novia Scotia dulse and kelp all rich in chlorophyll that demonstrates protective effects towards allergic rhinits, heavy metal poisoning and environmental pollution.

+   VIVA Omega 3 contains highly concentrated EPA and DHA from deep-sea fish has the potency for increased visual and psychomotor development.

+  VIVA Smartee with fish oil concentrate (DHA & EPA) ,glycerin, gelatin, soy lecithin (enhance memory power), natural vitamin E,  natural beta-carotene oil suspension is a great booster for a child’s growth and development.

+  VIVA C-Chewable contains acerola and rose hips is a booster for low immunity, throat infection and improve asthma condition.  Children on antibiotics course should replenish with probiotics supplements and

+   VIVA Floraguard is the right product to aid the digestive system to get back on track.