Capsule Santé 104.7 FM: Supplements for Children

In her health column, the naturopath of La Boite à Grains Renée Jean talks about the best supplements to give children. These include Vitamin D and probiotics.

Vitamin D

Most of our vitamin D comes from exposure to the sun. In North America, from October to April, there isn't enough sunshine and sunlight for the skin to produce vitamin D. In addition, during the rest of the year, sunscreen and clothes that cover the skin are not enough. What's more, during the rest of the year, sunscreen and clothing that covers the skin reduce vitamin D production. 

Did you know? The addition of vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin D to fluid milk is prescribed by Health Canada's Food and Drugs Act (see Appendix 1, Table 1). Vitamin D is added to all types of milk. 

The benefits of Vitamin D

• Increased bone density in children and adults
• Reduces the severity of asthma in children
• Reduces susceptibility to type 1 diabetes 
• Reduces glycemia in diabetics
• Reduces symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis

Probiotics

Good bacteria are the natural guardians of intestinal health and vitality. We all have billions of good bacteria all along our intestinal flora, from many different strains.

The benefits of probiotics

• Produce vitamins
• Help digestion
• secrete antimicrobial substances
• Stimulate the immune system

Recommended products

- Big Friends Vitamin C by Natural Factors

- Big Friends Vitamin D3 by Natural Factors

- Big Friends Natural Factors Magnesium Citrate

- Big Friends Multiprobiotic by Natural Factors

- Big Friends Natural Factors Chewable Multivitamins & Minerals