Probiotics

Many of us are familiar with the probiotics found in yogurt, but we would need to consume truckloads in order to obtain the same probiotic content found in a high quality supplement. These healthy bacteria are a crucial part of our digestive and immune function and have also been shown to influence our mental health.

For Parents: Kids bring home plenty of germs from school and daycare, which can often leave both kids and parents sick. A daily multi-strain probiotic like Progressive can help to support the immune system throughout the entire school year.

For Children: We obtain healthy bacteria at birth from our mothers as we move through the birth canal. Babies born via cesarian section do not receive this bacteria and instead take on the microorganisms from the hospital, putting them at a higher risk for illness later in life. Probiotics for children and infants* are a great way to insure a healthy microbiome throughout all stages of life.

*BioGaia drops can easily be added to formula or the nipple if breastfeeding.

Fish Oil

The essential fatty acids found in fish oil are essential because the human body is unable to make them. We must instead obtain them through our diet or supplementation.

Parents: Keeping the brain healthy is important throughout all stages of life, especially as we age. Research has shown that fish oil supplementation may support memory and reduce the risk of dementia later in life. The omega-3 content of fish oil is a powerful anti-inflammatory and can help to reduce symptoms of PMS, joint pain, and skin conditions.

Children: A particular component of fish oil called DHA helps to boost brain development in children. As the fattiest organ in the human body, the brain requires adequate amounts of fatty acids. Some research suggests that fish oil supplementation may even improve focus in children with ADHD.

*EFAs can also be obtained through vegan sources like hemp and flax seed oil.

Multivitamin

The quality of the food we eat today is much different from that a hundred years ago. Even natural, whole foods like leafy greens and nuts are not what they once were thanks to poor soil quality. A daily multivitamin can help to fill these nutritional gaps in our diet.


Parents: We would never suggest that a poor diet can be fixed with supplements alone, but incorporating a high quality multivitamin into a balanced lifestyle can support all aspects of our health.
 

Children: It can be a struggle to fill the nutritional gaps in our children's diet when dealing with picky eaters or little ones who simply don’t eat enough. A tasty multivitamin like SISU U-Cubes might be just what you need! Made without artificial colours, flavours and absolutely no high-fructose corn syrup these tasty gummies are a Kardish favourite!

Vitamin D

Vitamin D has received a lot of attention in the last few years, especially here in Canada where the winter months rob us of this important nutrient. Without adequate intake of vitamin D our bones, teeth, and mental health would surely suffer. We’d likely catch more colds and flus too! Unfortunately, vitamin D is not found naturally in many commonly consumed foods, making supplementation even more important.

Parents: Both women and men are at risk for osteoporosis as they get older and calcium alone does not help to prevent this disease. Calcium requires vitamin D in order to be utilized correctly in the body. Vitamin D also plays an important role in our mental health, and according to the Canadian Mental Health Association, “about 2 to 3% of Canadians will experience SAD in their lifetime. Another 15% will experience a milder form of SAD”. Adding vitamin D to your supplement regime can be a simple step in improving mood and mental wellbeing.
 

Children: Permanent teeth have not fully developed in children until age 12-13, and vitamin D is an important nutrient in building and maintaining those pearly whites. Vitamin D is also an immune regulator and has been shown to reduce the incidence of influenza in school aged children (no more fevers and runny noses!). We like to recommend D-Drops for kids and infants with each dose being a single drop, making it easy for little ones to take.

*Vegan vitamin D sourced from mushrooms is available by brands Botanica and Innovite.

***

What supplements do your family take on a regular basis? Be sure to let us know on Facebook, Twitter, or in the comments below.