Children
Do children really need to supplement with pills and oils?
A good diet, plenty of fresh air and exercise plus lots of love and attention will generally keep your child healthy, bright and happy. But a good diet isn’t always easy to maintain in a child and assumes that your child enjoys eating leafy green foods and oily fish on a regular basis.
No-one would suggest that stuffing your child full of vitamin pills is the solution either, but a balanced diet topped up with a good quality multivitamin and essential fatty acids can give reassurance to parents that their children are avoiding any obvious nutritional deficiencies.
Additionally, from time-to-time, as children suffer with occasional colds and infections, earache, stomach problems and so on, natural remedies can be recommended once a proper diagnosis has been obtained from a qualified health practitioner.
Choosing the right multi for your kids is a challenge. Cartoon shapes, various flavours, syrups and powders are all on offer.
viridiKid Multiple from Viridian Nutrition offers a
no-nonsense, no-nasties multivitamin which contains the Government recommended levels of nutrients for children, without the unnecessary additives contained in many other children’s vitamin products. It is also genuinely sugar-free with no hidden extras, no aspartame, saccharine or other sweeteners – not even fructose, just the vitamins and minerals your child needs each day in a tiny, easy-to-swallow, all-vegetarian/vegan capsule.
viridiKid Multiple is seriously formulated for long-term daily intake during the early years, the all-important pre- and post-pubescent transition and onwards into adulthood.
Can supplements boost academic performance?
General behavioural problems and academic performance are other areas of child health where nutrition has a major role.
A study of primary school children has confirmed that supplements of the Omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish and flax seed oils) could take them from bottom of the class to the top in just two school terms.
The results of The Durham Trial state that more than 40% of children could benefit from Essential Fatty Acid (EFA) supplements. The study, which involved a dozen primary schools, concludes that children given these ‘brain food’ supplements register dramatic improvements in reading age and numeracy.
Omega-3 fatty acids are crucial for normal brain development, according to The Durham Trial, but these EFAs are seriously lacking in modern diets and deficiencies are thought to be common.
Dr Madeleine Portwood, a psychologist with Durham education authority who led the research told the Sunday Times newspaper that: “We had nine-year olds go from a reading age of eight up to 13.”
The Omega-3 fatty acids used in the trial were extracted from sardines, but Omega-3s can be obtained from Flax Seed Oil, which children may find more palatable.
The Food Standards Agency recommends salmon, trout and mackerel for people looking to increase their intake of fish oils. It warned recently, however, that some fish can contain high levels of toxic chemicals such as mercury and dioxin.
Viridian Nutrition has developed a pleasant-tasting 100% organic Omega-3-6-9 oil, which is from pressed seeds and many children find easier to take than fish oils. viridiKid Organic Omega-3-6-9 Oil is additive-free and natural flavoured with organic vanilla and orange.
How can I help improve my child’s behaviour?
Researchers from California State University, designed a study to determine the effects of a low dose vitamin/mineral supplement in children aged 6-12. This trial compared the behaviour of 468 children, half of whom were taking a daily multivitamin while the other half took a dummy pill. After four months of the daily supplement, the children taking the multi were disciplined for violent and non-violent delinquency 47% less often than the placebo group.
The lower rate of anti-social behaviour represented less threats, fighting, vandalism, disrespect, disorderly conduct, defiance, obscenities, endangering others, and other undesirable behaviours.
How can my child get a good night’s sleep?
Young mother-of-three Caryn Harris was anxious to help her three-year-old son through bed-wetting and restless sleep.
“George is a happy child, but has never been a good sleeper, taking a long time to drop off and waking in the early hours, usually wet,” Mrs Harris explains. There are three children in the family two girls, aged 6 and 2, and George. The whole family is disturbed by George’s night-time waking and everyone’s nerves and health were beginning to suffer.
Not wanting to resort to medication, Mrs Harris went along to her local health food store where they recommended Viridian’s California Poppy Tincture.
Californian Poppy is a traditional American Indian remedy used mainly for colic. These days it is recommended as a mild sedative for children where there is over-excitability and sleeplessness.
Californian poppy contains natural alkaloids, reducing sleep problems, particularly nightmares, waking during the night and difficulties in falling asleep. California Poppy's gentle effects also make it a valuable herbal remedy in attempts to overcome bedwetting and anxiety.
The Harris household has been transformed and George has no ill-effects from his nightly dose of California Poppy.
“George is sleeping through and rarely wets the bed now. Our family is so much more relaxed and happy. Such a simple remedy, but it has made a big difference in our house,” says Mrs Harris.
How can I encourage my children to eat fruit and vegetables?
Involving children in cooking from an early age can trigger an interest in a varied diet. You can also hide less popular items in mashed potatoes!
I don’t think my kids will be able to swallow a capsule, how is the viridiKid multiple different?
The capsule is much smaller than most adult capsules. In our tests, most kids were able to swallow the capsule, those that couldn't simply opened the capsule and mixed the contents with yoghurt or sprinkled it over a favourite food.
Does the viridiKid Omega-3-6-9 oil really taste pleasant? The flavoured fish oils we have tried are pretty awful.
It is flavoured with organic vanilla and orange peel oils, and our tasting panel said it smelled and tasted delicious.
Will this viridiKid combination help my child’s eczema?
Essential fatty acids, including GLA, do have the ability to improve skin health overall. Try for 90 days to get results.
Can nutritional oils affect ADHD?
The mechanism whereby EFAs prove helpful in the brain is a complex chain of metabolic conversions resulting in improved connectivity between the brain neurons.
Considerable clinical and experimental evidence now supports the idea that deficiencies or imbalances in certain highly unsaturated fatty acids may contribute to a range of common developmental disorders including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Is it safe to give these supplements to children long-term?
Yes. Growing children need a good intake of these key nutrients for optimum health. Supplements do not, however, replace the need for a good varied diet.
My 12-year-old daughter has started her periods, will the viridiKid nutrients be enough for her?
This combination should offer some assistance particularly with potential mood swings and iron levels. Discuss your individual needs with our nutritionist.
Is the viridiKid combination sufficient, would you recommend anything else?
It is very difficult to get enough calcium and magnesium into a capsule, so you may wish to consider a further supplement of these important minerals. One of the Viridian Calcium, Magnesium powders may be appropriate for your child and can easily be added to milk or water.
We also offer Green Food powders, which can supply nutrients in a natural form for children. Organic Acerola powder offers a natural form of vitamin C and bioflavonoids.
My 13-year-old son suffers with acne, will the viridiKid supplements help?
Zinc and B-vitamins within the formula may help reduce the incidence of break-outs and aid healing.
Will this viridiKid combination help cut down on the number of colds and infections?
Combining supplements with regular hand-washing, plenty of fresh air and healthy fruit and veg, will make you less likely to experience colds and infections than others.
NOTE: This information is not intended to replace the guidance of a health practitioner. Consult your doctor if your child is already taking medication. Do not alter medication without the guidance of a practitioner.