Kiddipedia

Kiddipedia

By Dr. Stephanie Rubino BSc, ND

Naturopathic Doctor& Whole Earth & Sea Expert

 

Are you looking for ways to support your child’s growth and development? We all know that consuming nutritious foods is an obvious first step to getting the essential nutrients needed for overall health. But let’s be honest, not all kids love eating spinach and broccoli! Whether they’re picky eaters, following restricted diets, or simply feel too busy to sit down for a proper meal, limited diets can sometimes lead to important nutrient gaps. So, let’s take a closer look at the key vitamins and minerals that support your child’s health and development, starting today. (3,4)

Nutrients for Bone Support

Did you know that about 90% of a person’s peak bone mass is built by the time they turn 18? (5) That means supporting bone health isn’t just a job for childhood, it starts even earlier, during pregnancy, and continues throughout childhood and beyond. Many factors influence bone health, including:

  • Genetics, gender, and ethnicity

  • Exercise habits and lifestyle choices

  • Nutrition, especially calcium, vitamin D, and protein

While calcium often steals the spotlight for building strong bones and teeth, it’s far from the only player. Other important nutrients include:

  • Magnesium

  • Vitamin D3

  • Vitamin K2

Vitamin D3 helps your body absorb calcium properly, while vitamin K2 activates osteocalcin, a protein that helps form bone. Vitamin K2 also directs calcium to where it belongs, your bones, and away from soft tissues where it could cause harm. Magnesium, commonly found in multivitamins, supports hundreds of enzymes, contributes to bone structure, and plays a part in energy production and muscle function. For kids with limited diets, supplements containing these nutrients might be worth considering after speaking with a health professional.

Nutrients for Immune Support

Kids are no strangers to sniffles,  on average, children experience around 6 to 10 colds every year. (6) Research suggests that certain nutrients like:

  • Vitamin C

  • Vitamin D

  • Zinc

can help prevent colds, reduce their length, and ease symptoms. (7) Vitamin C, beyond its immune benefits, acts as an antioxidant and supports the growth of teeth, bones, gums, and ligaments. It also helps the body absorb iron, a mineral vital for growth, red blood cell production, and immune function.

Speaking of iron, it’s essential for your child’s overall development. Zinc plays a critical role too; it’s involved in wound healing, growth, development, and immune cell function. Ensuring your child gets enough of these nutrients can make a big difference during cold and flu season.

Choosing the Right Children’s Multivitamins

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, it’s tricky to fill every nutrient gap through food alone. That’s where children’s multivitamins come in. High-quality multivitamins designed for kids provide a well-rounded mix of essential vitamins and minerals to support healthy growth. Look for those that include whole-food concentrates like organic fruits and vegetables, which offer a rich blend of:

  • Vitamins

  • Minerals

  • Enzymes

  • Phytonutrients

providing an extra boost beyond just the basics.

Of course, supplements are just one piece of the puzzle. Pairing appropriate nutrient intake with plenty of:

  • Movement

  • Fresh air

  • Good sleep

will lay down a solid foundation for your child’s health, helping them stay active, happy, and growing strong.

 

References

  1. Haskell CF, Scholey AB, Jackson PA, et al. Cognitive and mood effects in healthy children during 12 weeks supplementation with multi-vitamin/minerals. Br J Nutr. 2008; 100:1086-1096.
  2. Eilander A, Gera T, Sachdev HS, et al. Multiple micronutrient supplementation for improving cognitive performance in children: systematic review of randomized controlled trials.  Am J Clin Nutr.2010; 91(1):115-130.
  3. Vitamins and minerals [Internet]. Australia: Healthdirect; 2020 [cited 13 Oct 2020]. Available from: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/vitamins-and-minerals
  4. Raising Children Network. Vitamins and minerals – Suitable for 0–18 years. Australia: Raising Children Network; 2020 [cited Oct 13 2020]. Available from: https://raisingchildren.net.au/teens/healthy-lifestyle/nutrients/vitamins-minerals
  5. Golden NH, Abrams SA, Committee on Nutrition. Optimizing bone health in children and adolescents. Pediatrics. 2014 Oct; 134(4):e1229-e1243.
  6. Common Cold. WebMD. USA: WebMD; 2020 [cited Oct 13 2020]. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/common_cold_overview
  7. Rondanelli M, Miccono A, Lamburghini S, et al. Self-care for common colds: the pivotal role of vitamin D, vitamin C, zinc, and Echinaceain three main immune interactive clusters (physical barriers, innate and adaptive immunity) involved during an episode of common colds-practical advice on dosages and on the time to take these nutrients/botanicals in order to prevent or treat common colds. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2018 Apr 29; 2018:5813095.
  8. Keunen K, van Elburg RM, van Bel F, et al. Impact of nutrition on brain development and its neuroprotective implications following preterm birth. Pediatr Res. 2015 Jan; 77(1-2):148-155.
  9. Stringham JM, Johnson EJ, Hammond BR. Lutein across the lifespan: from childhood cognitive performance to the aging eye and brain. Curr Dev Nutr. 2019 Jun 4; 3(7):nzz066.

The Kids Multi by Whole Earth & Sea®

Kids Multi contains 29 vitamins, minerals and nutrients important for children’s health, including B-group vitamins, iron, zinc, iodine and vitamin D3 delivered in a convenient and delicious berry flavoured chewable tablet. Featuring ingredients from whole food, organic sources, Kids Multi provides additional support for children with nutritional gaps in their diet.

Stockist: Selected health food stores and online via www.wholeearthsea.com.au