Help kids learn with complete nutrition
Did you know that many children in urban, middle-income homes are lacking in essential
nutrients like vitamins A, C, D, E, B6, and folic acid?1,2,3,4
The truth is even the most well intended parents don’t always give their children
the everyday nutrition that they require for growth and development. Yet experts
agree: a well-nourished child learns—and behaves—better.5 While food
should be the preferred way to improve your child’s nutrient status, picky eaters,
food jags and hectic lifestyles make some days a challenge when it comes to nutrition.
A daily multivitamin such as
Natrol® Liquid Kid’s Companion®,
which provides 50% or more of the Daily Value for many of the nutrients shown to
be lacking in children’s diets, is a convenient way to ensure your child meets essential
nutrient requirements.†
Prevent tummy troubles before they start
Kids are exposed to new foods, busy schedules, stress and more, all of which can
wreak havoc on the digestive system. Tried-and-true strategies such as boosting
fiber intake, thoroughly chewing foods, and avoiding irritating foods can help keep
digestive troubles at bay. In addition, taking digestive enzymes with meals is a
convenient way to help naturally support the body’s digestive process.Enzymes are
produced by the body and vital for helping break down and utilizing the foods we
eat. However, overindulgence, hurried meals, or unhealthy eating, can result in
inefficient digestion, creating uncomfortable feelings after a meal.6
Digestive enzymes help convert the proteins, carbohydrates, and fats into smaller
units to be readily absorbed in the small intestine.7 If your child
is complaining of stomach discomfort with meals, consider
Natrol® Papaya Enzyme,
a flavorful enzyme chewable for temporary relief of occasional digestive upset.†
Give your child a head-start
Did you know the omega-3 fat DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) comprises more than fifty
percent of the brain’s gray matter and retina—making it critical for cognitive and
visual function?8 Whether you’re
currently nourishing a developing baby during pregnancy or already have an active
child at home, growing minds require this essential fat each day for optimal cognitive
function. DHA cannot be produced by the body and unfortunately, young children9—and
adults10—typically
don’t consume daily amounts required for optimal health. Importantly, studies now
show that mothers consuming at least 300 mg of DHA per day during pregnancy and
breastfeeding can help improve the cognitive, visual and psychomotor skills
of their children.11,12
,13 To make sure you’re getting enough DHA each
day, consider Natrol® DHA 500 Super Strength.†
Demanding schedules need immune essentials
If your kids are like most, school is in full swing, and homework, sports, and after-school
activities add to the demands of their already hectic days. Make sure their immune
system keeps up with their growing to-do list. Start with a daily vitamin C
supplement. Busy schedules make it difficult to get enough of this
essential immune-promoting vitamin from food alone. This is especially true if their
lifestyle includes habits that increase their need for extra antioxidant protection
such as living in an urban area, regular sun exposure, and daily exercise.
Natrol® Easy-C®
500 mg Powder is a tasty way to help kids bridge the gap between what their
foods provide and what their body demands. Next, be sure to nourish their gut
with probiotics—everyday. The gut is a natural barrier against the
external environment and the body’s primary immune organ. In fact, the
intestines contain the largest pool of immune cells in the human body. Taking a
daily probiotic supplement, such as
Natrol® BioBeads®
Acidophilus Complex will fuel their body with a regular, concentrated source
of the type of beneficial bacteria that experts recommendfor optimal gut—and immune—health.14†
Six essentials for every kid
If you’ve ever wondered what you should do to help your child perform at his/her
best, then implement these six kid-essential tips and see the results for yourself.
1) Eat breakfast: Keeps kids' energy level stable all morning and
improves behavior, concentration and academic performance.15 2) Stay
hydrated: Water is an overlooked food; kids need plenty of fluids
to recharge and stay focused during long days at school and play. 3) Boost brain
health: Give them critical omega-3 fats from fish and/or fish oil to
nourish developing brains. 4) Eat a varied diet: Variety in a child’s
diet promotes optimal nutrition and health. Mix it up and try something new each
week. 5) Don’t skimp on sleep: Lack of sleep can result in brain-drain,
irritability, low energy and poor mood. And don’t forget, kids need extra sleep
for growth and repair. 6) Take a daily multi. Kids don’t always
get the nutrition they need from their diet alone. Studies show that a daily multivitamin/mineral
supplement can help them learn and behave better.5
References
1. Eichenberger Gilmore JM, Hong L, Broffitt B, et al. Longitudinal patterns
of vitamin and mineral supplement use in young white children. J Am Diet Assoc.
2005;105(5):763-772. PMID: 1588355
2. Lockner DW, Crowe TK, Skipper BJ. Dietary intake and parents' perception
of mealtime behaviors in preschool-age children with autism spectrum disorder and
in typically developing children.J Am Diet Assoc. 2008;108(8):1360-1363.
PMID: 18656577
3. Sivakumar B, Nair KM, Sreeramulu D, et al. Effect of micronutrient
supplement on health and nutritional status of schoolchildren: biochemical status.Nutrition.
2006;22(1 Suppl):S15-25. PMID: 16426959
4. Gordon CM, Feldman HA, Sinclair L, et al. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency
among healthy infants and toddlers. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2008;162(6):505-512.
PMID: 18524739
5. Schoenthaler SJ, Bier ID, Young K, et al. The effect of vitamin-mineral
supplementation on the intelligence of American schoolchildren: a randomized, double-blind
placebo-controlled trial. J Altern Complement Med. 2000;6(1):19-29. PMID:
10706232
6. Helffrich L. Complementing health with digestive enzymes. Nutrition
in Complementary Care, A Dietetic Practice Group of the American Dietetic Association.
2000;2:6.
7. Mahan LK, Escott-Stump S. Krause's Food, Nutrition, & Diet Therapy.
11th ed. Philadelphia: Penn: WB Saunders Company; 2004.
8.
Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber,
Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids. Washington, D. C.: National
Academies Press; 2002
9.
Lien VW, Clandinin MT. Dietary assessment of arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic
acid intake in 4-7 year-old children. J Am Coll Nutr 2009;28(1):7-15. PMID:
19571154
10. Kris-Etherton PM, Taylor D, Yu-Poth S, et al. Polyunsaturated
fatty acids in the food chain in the United States. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000;71:179-188.
PMID: 10617969
11. Helland IB, Smith L, Saarem K, et al. Maternal supplementation
with very-long-chain n-3 fatty acids during pregnancy and lactation augments children's
IQ at 4 years of age. Pediatrics. 2003;111:e39-44. PMID: 12509593
12. Judge MP, Harel O, Lammi-Keefe CJ. Maternal consumption of a
docosahexaenoic acid-containing functional food during pregnancy: benefit for infant
performance on problem-solving but not on recognition memory tasks at age 9 mo.
Am J Clin Nutr. 2007;85(6):1572-1527. PMID: 17556695
13. Jensen CL, Voigt RG, Prager TC, et al. Effects of maternal docosahexaenoic
acid intake on visual function and neurodevelopment in breastfed term infants. Am
J Clin Nutr. 2005;82:125-132. PMID: 16002810
14. Reid G, Jass J, Sebulsky MT, McCormick JK. Potential uses of
probiotics in clinical practice. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2003;16:658-672.
15. Kleinman RE, Hall S, Green H, et al. Diet, breakfast, and academic
performance in children. Ann Nutr Metab. 2002; 46(suppl 1):26-30. PMID:
12428078