4 ways to optimise your child's health
Giving children access to a wide variety of nurturing and nourishing foods is essential so that a strong foundation may be built for their future health.
Research has shown that nutrient deficiencies in children under five, such as Zinc, are widespread. Supporting nutritional gaps can be a positive addition to their growth and development, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases later in life.
Vitamin C and Zinc are two key nutrients for healthy development, but typically, many of us only focus on them when we're under the weather. Meaning we only give our immune systems the attention they deserve when it's too late. The key is to build nutrient levels consistently for more effective, whole-body support.
However, Zinc and Vitamin C play pivotal roles beyond your child's immunity. We dive deeper into how...
1. Zinc & bones
With 30% of the Zinc in your body found in your bones, children need to have good levels for healthy bone and teeth development. Bone is a living tissue, constantly being broken down and replaced and Zinc fuels osteoclasts and osteoblasts - the cells responsible for this regeneration.
2. Zinc & the brain
Zinc plays multiple roles in mood and cognitive health, supporting emotional balance to memory recall, multitasking and even our capacity for ‘light bulb’ moments. In children, it also powers neurotransmitters (such as dopamine, serotonin and melatonin) that can influence brain function and cognition.
3. Vitamin C & stress hormones
The highest concentration of Vitamin C in the body can be found in the adrenal glands, as it plays a vital role in cortisol and adrenaline production. While often the focus of negative press, labelled as ‘stress’ hormones, they are essential for children's energy to play, learn, and build a healthy nervous and immune system.
4. Vitamin C & Iron absorption
Iron is essential for healthy haemoglobin, which carries essential oxygen from the lungs to bodily tissues, and children need it for immunity and healthy cognition. However, Iron needs support from other nutrients like Vitamin C to aid its absorption, which is why a varied diet rich in Iron and Vitamin C is key.
