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From vitamin gummies to probiotic powders, the shelves of pharmacies and health stores are brimming with supplements promising to boost your child’s immunity, digestion and brain function. Also known as nutraceuticals, these products are gaining popularity amongst parents who are looking for an edge in their children’s growth and development. But are these supplemetents really necessary and more importantly, are they safe?
To decode this supplementation, we talked to two experts, Dietitian Megha Aggarwal, New Delhi and Dr Fiyonika Porwal, Antenatal Yoga Garbhasanskar Trainer, Dietician Cocoon Hospital, Jaipur to find a clear perspective on what parent should be aware of before deciding to include these nutraceuticals in the diet of their children.
What are Nutraceuticals for Kids?
Nutraceutical products in kids are basically the food-based products having an additional health benefit other than mere nutrition these include vitamins and minerals. The supplements may be used to bridge nutritional deficiencies, particularly among the picky eaters or those with special dietary requirements, and enhance general growth and development. Some of the nutraceuticals are vitamin D, calcium, probiotics, and omega-3 fatty acids, as stated by Agarwal.
Agarwal enumerated the key nutraceuticals in children and these are:
● Vitamin D: Crucial for bone health and calcium absorption.
● Calcium: Essential for building strong bones and teeth.
● Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Important for brain development and function.
● Multivitamins: Provide a range of vitamins and minerals in one supplement.
● Probiotics: Support gut health and digestion.
● Iron: Important for carrying oxygen in the blood and preventing anaemia.
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Why are Nutraceuticals Important for Kids?
- Promote Growth and Development: Nutraceuticals help in completing nutritional requirements of children in developing strong bones, cognitive development and a good immune system.
- Combat Deficiencies: Nutraceuticals work as supplements to inadequate nutrient intake via the diet and give necessary vitamins and minerals they require.
- Enhance Energy: Nutaceuticals help boost energy levels and allow children to enjoy physical exercise.
- Aid in Brain Development: Nutraceuticals contain certain nutrients, such as Omega-3 fatty acids, choline, iron, zinc and B12 are very essential to the health of the brain and brain functionality.
How to Choose Right Supplements for your Kids?
Agarwal advises looking at the following factors when purchasing nutraceuticals for children:
- Talk to a paediatrician: Before starting any new supplements, it is imperative to speak to a doctor first to be sure that the supplement is what your child needs, in relation to their unique requirements.
- Skim through labels: Check the brands labels to know what the supplements have and avoid the ones that look a little suspicious, i.e. added- sugars, artificial colours or SKIP the unnecessary fillers.
Excessive use of nutraceuticals which are perceived to have beneficial effects can be very harmful to health. When taken too much it may cause toxicity, side effects, and also interacts with drugs,” advised Dr Fiyonika.
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How are Nutraceuticals Different from Supplements for Kids?
Nutraceuticals are food-related commodities that extend beyond meals as a meal. They can be in the form of fortified drinks, powders, or chewables and usually include such ingredients as probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, herbal extracts, or plant compounds. “In contrast to typical prescription of vitamin supplements, which are most often prescribed to correct a particular deficiency, like anaemia due to iron deficiency, or osteoporosis due to low levels of vitamin D, nutraceuticals are aimed at complementing particular aspects of health, like immunity, digestive, or cognitive, elaborated Dr Fiyonika.
How can one know what nutaceuticals are safe to take?
It has a few important things to look at.
- The product is ideally designed to be used by kids and this should be stipulated on the label.
- The amount needed per serving should also be in terms of the age of your child and most importantly should not be more than the amount considered safe to consume each day.
- It is also a good idea to examine any regulatory clearances in India, which would be FSSAI or CDSCO.
- Avoid anything that contains too many ingredients in a single formula, and especially one that uses vague terminologies like ‘proprietary’ food.
“We do observe cases of children being given an adult supplement or highly concentrated formulas of the same which is more harmful than good, especially when it comes to vitamin A and vitamin D,” Dr Fiyonika pointed out.
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Conclusion: Nutraceuticals Can Help Kids
Nutraceuticals, can be of great help in limited cases, including nutritional deficiencies, low appetite, and developmental issues, however, it cannot be regarded as a shortcut to good health. As our experts point out, taking these supplements cannot and must not even in the case of medical requirements be used instead of a wholesome healthy diet. They may have serious side effects due to misuse of the drug or overuse in children.