Best vitamin for kids with adhd

Best ADHD Supplements & Vitamins For Kids With ADHD

Our diet plays a pivotal role in our physical and mental health.

A well-balanced diet consisting of vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, etc., can provide our bodies with everything it needs to feel great and function at a high level.

However, a bad diet can cause our health to deteriorate.

For example, eating fast food exposes our bodies to artificial colorings and processed sugars that can have detrimental behavioral and physical effects, including weight gain, tooth decay, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression, and may even impact cognitive functioning.

These effects are especially harmful to individuals suffering from ADD/ADHD and Autism, as ingredients like processed sugar can exacerbate the negative symptoms of these disorders by disrupting neurotransmitters in the brain.

At the Drake Institute, brain map-guided neurofeedback (EEG-Biofeedback) is our primary method for treating ADHD; however, eating a proper diet and utilizing ADHD supplements can help enhance improvements generated by our non-drug treatment protocols, especially for kids.

In this article, we’ll further explain the relationship between diet and ADHD, how parents can use vitamins for kids with ADHD to improve the results of non-drug ADHD treatments, and how the Drake Institute uses non-drug, non-invasive treatment protocols to help our patients achieve symptom relief.

The Effects Of A Poor Diet On ADD & ADHD

Processed foods are jam-packed with artificial colors and sugars, which can be detrimental to the health of both children and adults.

An improper diet can also compromise our gut health, which plays an important role in helping to protect our physical and mental health.

Decreasing your ADHD child’s intake of foods containing these potentially harmful ingredients may improve his or her behavioral symptoms and provide several important health benefits.

Battling Sugar Cravings

The sugar found in many soft drinks, juices, candy bars, etc., can dysregulate brain function (e.g., increased dopamine levels).

The effect of sugar is so powerful, that studies have shown mice prefer sugar over cocaine. [i]

For many years, parents have told our staff how their child with ADHD craves sugar, and in response, the parents sometimes have attempted to substitute sugar with artificial sweeteners such as Aspartame and Saccharine.

However, the Drake Institute does not recommend substituting sugar with artificial sweeteners, as Aspartame and Saccharine may cause some individuals to experience learning problems, headaches, and other side effects. [ii]

To improve ADHD symptoms, it’s best to limit how much sugar your child is consuming, and if possible, to remove it from your child’s diet altogether.

Artificial Food Colorings

Artificial food colorings can also affect your child’s behavior, which can make shopping for your ADHD child at the grocery store quite difficult once you leave the produce aisle.

Making matters worse is the fact that companies market sodas and other sugary snacks to children, which are often the worst offenders when it comes to using food dyes and artificial colorings.

That said, it’s still critical that parents attempt to eliminate or minimize these types of processed foods from their child’s diet, as their removal may help reduce their child’s ADHD symptoms.

Gut Health

Foods containing high amounts of sugar, artificial food colorings, and toxic preservatives can compromise the health of our gut, leading to poorer overall health.

Additionally, there are non-food factors that can negatively impact gut flora, including childbirth by cesarean delivery and antibiotics (this is not to suggest to avoid cesarean delivery or antibiotics when necessary).

Our gut microbiota (gut flora) is composed of many microorganisms that support our physical and mental health, immune system functioning, brain development, and the synthesis of neurotransmitters.

Interestingly, children with ADD and ADHD tend to have a greater prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms.

Probiotics, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, can improve gut flora, and parents should also consider including foods such as yogurt into their child’s diet which can have a beneficial effect on the gut flora.

One of the best ways to protect gut health is to eliminate processed foods from our diets, as this ensures that our gut can fully reap the benefits of probiotic supplementation and healthy eating.

ADHD Diet Plan

In a lecture for continuing medical education for physicians, Dr. Anna Esparham of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Kansas Medical Center presented many significant findings for helping patients with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorders, including recommendations that early healthy nutrition, sustained through adolescence, is most important in promoting long-term brain development and functioning.

A proper ADHD diet plan should resemble and mimic any other diet plan that focuses on the consumption of nutrient-dense foods that do not contain excessive amounts of sugar and artificial colorings or sweeteners.

Additionally, supplements can be taken under the guidance of a medical professional to help battle any deficiencies that may be present; however, it is recommended that individuals suffering from ADD or ADHD first try to obtain their essential minerals and nutrients through the consumption of healthy foods.

ADHD Vitamins & Supplements

ADHD vitamins and supplements, in conjunction with a healthy diet, can be a powerful tool for achieving symptom relief, especially for individuals who are having difficulty getting adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals from their diets.

To help alleviate the symptoms of ADHD, the Drake Institute recommends the following supplements for ADHD.

Essential Trace Minerals
The 3 essential trace minerals that have been studied the most and which are very important for brain development and functioning are zinc, iron, and magnesium.

Again, it’s important to note that any treatment plan that includes vitamin or mineral supplementation should first include a consultation with a medical professional.

1. Zinc

Individuals suffering from ADD and ADHD can be zinc deficient, and taking a zinc supplement may be helpful in achieving symptom relief.

Zinc is called a “cofactor” in neurotransmission, and it plays an important role in the healing of tissue and immune system functioning.

Zinc also protects the gut barrier and the blood-brain barrier, and if one has a zinc deficiency, it can cause dysfunction of these barriers.

One study showed that zinc improved hyperactivity and impulsivity, but not the symptoms of inattention.

Doctors and Pediatricians can test for low zinc levels and guide supplementation if zinc levels are found to be low.

2. Iron

Iron is another cofactor in the production and metabolism of neurotransmitters, and an iron deficiency can affect dopamine metabolism.

Dopamine is a key neurotransmitter, and a deficiency can cause restless legs syndrome, sleeping problems, and sometimes fatigue and tachycardia (elevated heart rate).

Low ferritin (a protein that stores iron in the body and releases it) and abnormal iron indices are seen in ADHD children, particularly in children who are experiencing sleeping problems.

ADHD children, who are taking stimulant medications, could also have an increased risk for iron deficiency, as these medications tend to suppress the child’s appetite, leading to malnourishment.

3. Magnesium

Finally, magnesium is the third essential trace mineral and is involved in more than 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, including

Bone Metabolism & Growth
Nerve Function
Neurotransmitter Release
Immune System Functioning
Regulation Of The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis

Clinical symptoms of magnesium deficiency in children include irritability, anxiety, and agitation.

Magnesium supplementation can reduce anxiety and irritability through its calming effect, which can be instrumental in helping ADHD children complete their daily tasks.

Fatty Acid Supplementation

In addition to supplementing essential trace minerals, supplementing with Omega-3 fatty acids can also help mitigate the effects of ADD and ADHD.

Every cell in our body (including our brain) is made up of fats. In fact, the brain is composed of as much as 60% lipids.

To improve brain functioning, research has shown that in children with ADHD whose blood levels of omega-3 are low, Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation is just as effective for ADHD as stimulant drugs for improving attention but without the possible drug side-effects. [iii]

That is an amazing statistic when you consider that Omega-3 fatty acids are not a drug, but are instead dietary healthy fats (Transactional Psychiatry, online November 20, 2019).

Vitamin B & C

Finally, supplementing vitamins B and C can also help alleviate ADD and ADHD symptoms.

Vitamin C, like zinc, iron, and magnesium, is used to produce neurotransmitters like dopamine.

Additionally, vitamin B deficiency is linked to irritability and fatigue in children.

When both of these vitamins reach optimal levels, individuals with ADHD can experience increased alertness and decreased anxiety, which can help ADHD children focus on their tasks and decrease their hyperactivity.

Do ADHD Vitamins Work?

ADHD vitamins can mitigate the negative side effects of ADHD when used in conjunction with a healthy diet.

And by improving your child’s diet, you can increase the benefits received from other treatment programs, like the non-drug ADHD treatment program provided by the Drake Institute.

That said, nutrition by itself may not be enough for some individuals to experience significant symptom relief. In these cases, we recommend non-drug clinical interventions, like Neurofeedback and Neurostimulation for ADHD.

Combining Diet with Clinical Treatment

At the Drake Institute, we advocate evidence-based, proven medical treatment programs like Neurofeedback and Neuromodulation, which utilize the brain’s resources, do not require drugs and are capable of reducing or resolving the symptoms of ADHD.

Our ADHD treatments are non-drug, non-invasive, and designed to “retrain the brain” for long term improvement, as opposed to simply medicating to control symptoms.

One of the best ways to help fully support our treatment process is to implement an improved diet for kids with ADD and ADHD, as this increases the likelihood that your child will have the best possible long-term results from brain map guided neurofeedback.

While our neurofeedback treatment programs can provide patients with sustainable, long-term symptom improvement or resolution, the treatment tends to work better, and faster, when combined with an optimized diet.

In addition to ADD and ADHD symptom improvement, proper diets provide a wealth of other health benefits for parents and their children.

Creating and sustaining a healthy diet should be a priority for all families, regardless of whether or not someone in the family is suffering from a related disorder like ADHD.

Get Help at the Drake Institute Today

Get help for you or your loved ones by contacting us to arrange a screening consultation at no charge.

[i] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1931610/

[ii] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28198207/

[iii] https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/metabolic-and-bariatric-surgery-blog/2011/december/get-the-facts-about-healthy-fats

“David F. Velkoff, M.D., our Medical Director and co-founder, supervises all evaluation procedures and treatment programs. He is recognized as a physician pioneer in using biofeedback, qEEG brain mapping, neurofeedback, and neuromodulation in the treatment of ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and stress related illnesses including anxiety, depression, insomnia, and high blood pressure. Dr. David Velkoff earned his Master’s degree in Psychology from the California State University at Los Angeles in 1975, and his Doctor of Medicine degree from Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta in 1976. This was followed by Dr. Velkoff completing his internship in Obstetrics and Gynecology with an elective in Neurology at the University of California Medical Center in Irvine. He then shifted his specialty to Neurophysical Medicine and received his initial training in biofeedback/neurofeedback in Neurophysical Medicine from the leading doctors in the world in biofeedback at the renown Menninger Clinic in Topeka, Kansas. In 1980, he co-founded the Drake Institute of Neurophysical Medicine. Seeking to better understand the link between illness and the mind, Dr. Velkoff served as the clinical director of an international research study on psychoneuroimmunology with the UCLA School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and the Pasteur Institute in Paris. This was a follow-up study to an earlier clinical collaborative effort with UCLA School of Medicine demonstrating how the Drake Institute's stress treatment resulted in improved immune functioning of natural killer cell activity. Dr. Velkoff served as one of the founding associate editors of the scientific publication, Journal of Neurotherapy. He has been an invited guest lecturer at Los Angeles Children's Hospital, UCLA, Cedars Sinai Medical Center-Thalians Mental Health Center, St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, California, and CHADD. He has been a medical consultant in Neurophysical Medicine to CNN, National Geographic Channel, Discovery Channel, Univision, and PBS.”

More About What Makes Drake Institute Unique

10 Supplements and Vitamins for ADHD Symptom Control

What ADHD Supplements Improve Symptoms?

Research shows that medication does a good job of managing ADHD symptoms in many children and adults. Still, the thought of starting your eight-year-old son or daughter on a drug, no matter how effective it might be, causes lots of hand-wringing and soul-searching in parents before they agree to do it. There are potential side effects to be considered, along with the fact that ADHD medications don’t work the same way for every child in managing symptoms. So some parents look for other natural remedies for ADHD, such as nutrition, exercise, and supplements, to help their child deal with symptoms.

It is important to understand what a supplement is. A nutritional supplement provides basic nutrients for optimal health and function that you may not be getting from your food. Supplements include vitamins, minerals, proteins, and fats. I don’t include herbal or botanical ingredients, such as ginkgo or St. John’s wort, in the supplement category. Botanicals are plant-based products that are not necessarily nutrients, but which may have positive effects on health and function.

Now let’s look at the individual ADHD supplements I recommend. Every natural remedy for ADHD mentioned here has some research to support its effectiveness in improving some symptoms.

If possible, I’d consult a physician to help you incorporate supplements into your treatment plan. Managing supplements and other integrative treatments requires expertise. It is difficult for a family to do this on their own.

ADHD Supplement: Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Usually given in the form of fish oil, omega-3s are probably the best-researched supplement for ADHD. Numerous studies, including two meta-analyses, have found benefit in the area of hyperactivity, attention, or impulsivity.

[Get This Free Resource: Everyday Foods Filled with Omega-3s]

Finding the best omega 3 supplement is a different story. Despite all the studies on omega-3s, questions remain about the optimal dose and how to give it. The important omega-3 fatty acids are EPA and DHA, which are listed on most product labels. I recommend a total of 1,000 mg. of EPA plus DHA (add the two together) for smaller children, 2,000 mg. for adolescents, and 1,500 mg. for those in between. There should be 1.5 to 2 times as much EPA as DHA. Most omega-3 gummies don’t provide these higher levels, so your best option is to give your child capsules or a liquid. For children who are vegetarian, algae oil is available, but it requires large doses to get enough EPA and DHA.

A related supplement is phosphatidylserine. This is a type of molecule derived from fatty acids that plays an important role in cell signaling. A couple of small studies indicate it might be helpful for ADHD. My clinical experience is that the benefits have not been impressive. It can be taken on its own or in conjunction with a fish oil supplement.

ADHD Supplement: Zinc

I recommend zinc for children with ADHD. The mineral is not as well researched as omega-3s and iron, but there is some positive research. One study showed that taking zinc with a psychostimulant caused a nearly 40 percent reduction in the amount of the stimulant required to function at optimal levels. Other studies have shown benefits for ADHD symptoms in general. Zinc levels can be measured in the blood, but it is safe to give 20-25 mg. of zinc daily to your child without first doing a blood test.

ADHD Supplement: Vitamin D

Many American children have abnormally low levels of vitamin D. Newer research shows that children with ADHD have lower vitamin D levels than children without the condition. One study showed that expectant mothers with low vitamin D levels had a higher likelihood of their children having ADHD. There are no studies showing that giving vitamin D to children with ADHD improves their symptoms. Nevertheless, I would check vitamin D levels and supplement if the levels are low or even borderline low.

[Free Resource Here: Guide to Natural ADHD Treatment Options]

ADHD Supplement: Iron

Low levels of the mineral iron can be a significant problem in children with ADHD. Studies have shown that iron is crucial for normal brain function, and that treating with supplemental iron can improve ADHD symptoms.

Before giving an iron supplement to your child, it is important to measure the iron levels in your child’s blood. When doctors measure these in children, they test for hemoglobin and hematocrit — the level of iron in red blood cells. These readings are usually normal in children with ADHD. I recommend that doctors also check the ferritin level, which measures circulating iron. This is often low, or borderline low, in kids with ADHD. One study showed that the average ferritin level in ADHD children was 22 compared with 44 in non-ADHD children.

I recommend supplementing with iron if a child has a ferritin level under 30. It is important to use a chelated iron product, which reduces the problem of constipation or stomachaches. I usually begin with 30-40 mg. of elemental iron a day, and measure ferritin levels again in three to six months.

Multivitamin/Multimineral for ADHD

It is important that children with ADHD have adequate amounts of a wide range of vitamins and minerals, but until recently, there has been little research suggesting that taking a multivitamin/multimineral was helpful for ADHD. Research indicates that a specific multivitamin/multimineral combination is effective for kids who have ADHD and emotional dysregulation, often displayed by oppositional children.

Daily Essential Nutrients is made by Hardy Nutritionals. In one study, the micronutrients in this formulation reduced impairment and improved inattention, emotional regulation, and aggression. DEN did not improve hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. The downside is that it is expensive, and a child has to take six pills a day. It’s possible that other multivitamins have similar effects, but they have not been well-studied.

ADHD Supplement: Magnesium

This mineral won’t directly improve attention, but it can calm hyperactivity and agitation, which compromise attention. I find magnesium helpful for children who have a “rebound effect” after their stimulant medication wears off. A child can safely take 100-300 mg. of elemental magnesium twice daily in the form of magnesium glycinate, citrate, or chelate. The citrate form tends to lead to loose stools.

ADHD Supplement: Inositol

Inositol is found in very small amounts in many foods. In concentrated doses, it helps to counter agitation and anxiety. I recommend 12-18 grams a day divided into two or three doses for adults. The dose for kids would be calculated based on their mass.

ADHD Supplement: Ginkgo Biloba

This herb has been used to improve cognitive function for thousands of years. A couple of small studies have shown that it may be helpful in children with ADHD. A recent double-blind randomized study looked at adding ginkgo to a stimulant that children were already taking. Some children took ginkgo plus a stimulant, while others took a placebo and a stimulant. Those who took the ginkgo had a 35 percent better response rate in terms of improving attention. It had no effect on hyperactivity or impulsivity. I use 60 mg., twice a day, for children.

Bacopa and gotu kola, which are part of Ayurvedic medicine (the traditional medicine of India), have both been used to treat ADHD, but western medicine has done little research on them.

One herb, St. John’s wort, is often recommended for children with ADHD, but research shows that it helps with mood disorders, not ADHD. A study on using St. John’s wort to treat ADHD reached the same conclusion: It did not help. This study was discussed in the June 2008 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. View the study abstract.

The ABCs of ADHD Supplements

Among the many questions parents ask me when thinking about natural supplements for ADHD are: How can supplements help? Are they a substitute for ADHD medication, or can they be used together? How long do they take to work? Can they have side effects?

How do supplements improve attention, impulsivity, or hyperactivity? It is helpful to understand how supplements are researched. The most common method is to give either the supplement being studied or a placebo to a person, and see if ADHD symptoms improve. Researchers measure this by looking at ADHD surveys or checklists, filled out by teachers and parents. In most cases, the research shows improvements in attention and focus, hyperactivity, or impulsivity, or all of them. It is hard to predict the effect any single supplement will have on a child.
Will supplements improve symptoms as much as ADHD medication? For the most part, no. ADHD-friendly supplements are helpful, but they do not have the immediate and powerful effect on ADHD symptoms that medication does. It is hard to quantify the effectiveness of these supplements compared to medication. It is worth noting that supplements in general have far fewer side effects than medication, and less potential for severe side effects. I use supplements as part of an integrative treatment plan that includes interventions related to school, parenting, sleep, and exercise.
How long will it take to see results after starting a supplement? This varies, depending on the supplement and the child. Some families have told me that they saw improvement within days of starting fish oil; other families didn’t see any improvement after a month. I recommend waiting a few months before deciding whether or not supplements are helpful.
Do supplements have side effects? Some supplements have side effects, but they are milder and less common than the side effects of ADHD stimulants. Iron, for instance, may cause constipation or abdominal pain. It is important to notice any symptoms that occur after starting one or more supplements and consult with your physician.

[Get Free Guide to the Best Vitamins and Supplements for Managing ADHD Symptoms]

Sandy Newmark, M.D., is a member of the ADDitude ADHD Medical Review Panel.

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Children's vitamins for stress, calming the nervous system

It is a mistake to think that the child's body is reliably protected from the negative effects of stress. The nervous system of the child has not yet been fully formed, and therefore is especially susceptible to negative external influences. It is influenced by a violation of the daily routine, mental and emotional stress, rapid growth. All this affects the behavior of the child, his mood, well-being, sleep. Vitamins that calm the nervous system for children help to increase mental activity, restore nerve cells, and protect the baby from overload.

Causes and consequences of vitamin deficiency in children

The development of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. At the child attentiveness decreases, impulsivity increases, there are difficulties in communication, training. Children begin to behave eccentrically.

Irritability, apathy may occur: a complete lack of desire to walk, play, have fun or study. In children, sleep is disturbed: insomnia appears or, conversely, constant drowsiness. A child can be capricious for no apparent reason, his mood often changes. In the absence of corrective measures, frequent colds begin, and then problems with the cardiovascular system.

The reasons leading to such violations are:

Congenital - predisposition to diseases, diseases of the cardiovascular system, prematurity, premature birth, fetal hypoxia.
Acquired - infectious diseases suffered at an early age, ingestion of toxins, metabolic disorders, concussions, overload at school or kindergarten, stressful situation in the family.

In any case, it is necessary to consult a specialist who will examine the child's condition and, based on the results obtained, identify a deficiency of vitamins and minerals, and prescribe medications.

Vitamins and minerals necessary for the health of the child's nervous system

Name	Impact on children	Deficiency symptoms	Products containing
Retinol (A)	Helps improve vision, skin and hair condition. Affects the speed of nervous reactions, helps to increase concentration, the speed of nervous reactions.	Frequent diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary system, respiratory tract. Chicken blindness. Dryness, peeling of the skin, rash, furunculosis. Insomnia, loss of appetite. Increased tooth sensitivity. Dandruff. Anemia.	Carrot, sorrel, parsley, rosehip, spinach, mango, fish oil, beef, chicken, cod, lamb, pork liver
Thiamine (B ₁ )	Helps to normalize sleep, fight stress. May have a calming effect. Contributes to the normalization of mental activity.	Decreased learning. Irritability. Violation of concentration. Tearfulness. Feeling cold even when warm. Mental fatigue.	Legumes, green leafy vegetables, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, oranges, raisins, prunes, nuts, meat products, offal, fish, egg yolk, cereals.
Riboflavin (B ₂ )	Helps to cope with fatigue, solve problems with sleep, frequent headaches.	Stomatitis, cracks in the corners of the mouth. Anemia. Decreased performance.	Meat offal, meat, nuts, mushrooms, dairy products, eggs, oatmeal, buckwheat.
Niacin (PP, B ₃ , nicotinic acid)	Affects blood flow to the brain. Helps to cope with depression.	Muscle weakness. Absent-mindedness. Lethargy. Fears. Sleep disturbance. depression. Irritability.	Legumes, poultry, beef offal, wheat, barley, oatmeal, nuts, seeds, mushrooms.
Pyridoxine (B ₆ )	Necessary for the production of the hormone of joy - serotonin. Helps stabilize the nervous system, relieve overexcitation, normalize sleep.	Muscle weakness. Anxiety. Headache. Seizures.	Walnuts, yeast, garlic, chicken and rabbit meat, tomato paste.
Folic acid (B ₉ )	Helps improve memory, relieve anxiety and irritability.	Memory deterioration. Weight loss. Irritability. Aggressiveness.	Offal, yolk, cod, caviar, cheese, buckwheat, oatmeal, beets, carrots, bananas, peaches, yeast.
Cyanocobalamin (B ₁₂ )	It helps in protecting nerve cells from damage, affects blood circulation, and has a positive effect on brain activity.	Loss of motor activity. Psychoses. Mania. Decreased appetite. Tinnitus.	Organ meats, meat, fish, eggs, dairy products.
Ascorbic acid (C)	Helps fight fatigue and overload. Affects mood.	Bad appetite. Capriciousness. Lethargy. Drowsiness. Depression.	Rosehip, blueberry, cranberry, black currant, citrus fruits, sweet peppers, broccoli.
Calciferol (D)	Helps calm the nervous system, cope with increased stress.	Shyness. Anxiety. Sleep problems.	Dairy products, fish oil, seafood, eggs, butter and vegetable oil, leafy vegetables.
Tocopherol (E)	Participates in the protection of brain cells from damaging factors, promotes accelerated regeneration of nerve cells, and can have a calming effect.	Decreased mental ability. Weakness. Violation of coordination of movements.	Vegetable oils, cereals, legumes, nuts, dried fruits, herbs.

Vitamins that calm the nervous system of children are available in the form of tablets, capsules, chewable lozenges. The dosage and composition of the drugs are determined by the doctor, based on the age, gender and condition of the child.

Vitamins for brain development in children. Vitamin supplements for children.

Gimranov Rinat Fazylzhanovich
Neurologist, neurophysiologist, experience - 33 years;
Professor of Neurology, MD;
Clinic for Rehabilitation Neurology. About the author

Publication date: December 20, 2021

A person needs vitamins, minerals, micro and macro elements for full development. The appearance of the skin, hair, nails, well-being and cheerfulness depend on their balanced intake in the body.

Good nutrition is critically important for the first years of life, when the organs and systems of the child are formed and mature. This also applies to the brain.

Contents of the article:

1 Why do children need vitamins?
2 Vitamins necessary for children
- 2.1 iodine
- 2.2 Selenium
- 2.3 Iron
- 2.4 Tokoferol (vitamin E)
- 2.5 Tiamin (B1)
- 2.6 Riboflavinovy
- 2.7 nicotinic acid (B3)
- 2.8 Pantotenic acid (B5)
- 2.9 Pyridoxin (B6)
- 2.10 Folic acid (B9)
- 2.11 Cobalamin (B12)
- 2.12 Vitamin C or ascorbic acid
3 Vitamin complexes: give or not to give or not give?
4 The best complexes for schoolchildren and adolescents
5 References

Why do children need vitamins?

Without enough nutrients, not only the physical condition of the young organism suffers, but also the intellect. During the formation and development of the cerebral cortex, the formation of human cognitive functions, good nutrition is extremely important. Therefore, vitamins should be present in the diet of children to help develop memory and attention.

Proper, balanced nutrition, which includes the necessary elements, has a positive effect on the young body:

helps to develop memory and attentiveness, thanks to this, to quickly assimilate educational material;
improves concentration, speed of mastering new skills;
prevents overwork from the sharply increased load due to schoolwork;

increases the level of the intellect, the child will be able to solve more complex tasks faster;
keeps the brain working throughout the school and calendar year.

But it is worth remembering that to improve brain function, develop memory and attention, schoolchildren aged 6-7 to 12 need special, “children's” vitamins. Those that contain doses and combinations of components suitable for the age of the child. Universal complexes can not only not fit, but also harm.

Vitamins necessary for children

Not all trace elements are equally useful for the developing mind. There are also those whose excess is dangerous.

Consider what vitamins are necessary for children for brain activity, improve memory, and touch on minerals.

Iodine

In infants, neurons continue to mature. In particular, the myelin sheath continues to form around their signal processes, axons.

Iodine deficiency at an early age leads to impaired axonal myelination.

This is manifested by mental retardation at the level of cretinism.

In addition, iodine regulates metabolism, helps to better absorb other vitamins.

Found in iodized salt, seafood, seaweed.

Selenium

Participates in the work of enzyme systems of neurons. It normalizes the work of brain cells, regulates the immune system, giving additional protection to the body from diseases.

Foods rich in them are meat, seafood, buckwheat, corn and oatmeal.

Iron

A microelement that is part of the hemoglobin molecule and is responsible for delivering oxygen to the tissues of the cerebral cortex. The level of iron in the blood determines whether the cells will be fed in such a way as to develop and function [2].

Rich in iron: red meat, beans, corn. It is found in red meat, beans, corn, beef liver.

Tocopherol (vitamin E)

Antioxidant, protects against free radicals, oxidative stress. Thus, it helps the physiological maturation of neurons with a reserve of resources for life [1].

In significant amounts, it is found in nuts, avocados, spinach, whole grains, sunflower and corn oil.

Thiamine (B1)

Improves memory and coordination of movements, relieves irritability and fatigue, has a positive effect on sleep.

Thiamine takes part in the tissue respiration of neurons, hypovitaminosis leads to the death of neurons and gross neurological disorders. An extreme case is beriberi disease, muscle spasticity.

Found in fish, walnuts and hazelnuts, eggs.

Riboflavin (B2)

Improves the reaction rate of brain neurons, reduces daytime sleepiness, prevents fatigue and headaches.

Found in meat and milk.

Nicotinic acid (B3)

Increases concentration, increases reaction speed, speed of memorizing material, strengthens memory. The main need for nicotinic acid is replenished by the body itself.

Additionally, it can be obtained from greens, liver, egg yolk, nuts, chicken meat, yeast.

Pantothenic acid (B5)

Improves the transmission of nerve impulses between neurons and the dynamics of thought processes. Needed for the formation of long-term memories. Contained in milk, hazelnuts, buckwheat, cabbage, but is destroyed during heat treatment.

Pyridoxine (B6)

An extremely valuable vitamin for the development and maintenance of children's brain function. Increases the speed of realization of cognitive abilities, is responsible for the development of thinking in general.

When it is deficient, children suffer from irritability, anxiety, and may even become depressed. When a child receives high-grade food, pyridoxine is synthesized in the body.

If there is a shortage of it, you need to eat bananas, potatoes, chicken eggs, beans and milk.

Folic acid (B9)

Improves the memorization and analysis of information, is also responsible for proper rest of the brain, protecting against insomnia and other sleep disorders. By adding foods with bifidobacteria to your diet, you will help the body synthesize this acid on its own.

It is also found in products: mushrooms, fresh vegetables and fruits, meat, milk, hard cheeses.

Cobalamin (B12)

Deficiency leads to degeneration of the brain and spinal cord, the development of anemia (anemia), due to which nerve cells receive less oxygen.

At an early age, cobalamin hypovitaminosis is unlikely, it is more often found in children from 5 years of age. And, as a rule, they do not eat animal food, vegetarians.

Sources of B12 - liver, beef, poultry, eggs, fish, cheese, pork, milk, cottage cheese, yogurt. Or vitamin supplements if the child does not receive food of animal origin [3].

Vitamin C or ascorbic acid

Participates in the mechanisms of antioxidant defense, has a membrane stabilizing effect.

Protects capillary cells from destruction, helps neurons recover after exercise. Improves absorption of B vitamins.

Found in blackcurrant, rosehip. It is found in some concentration in most fresh fruits and vegetables.

When composing a menu for a child so that it includes valuable elements and minerals, keep in mind their compatibility with each other. The doctor will help to distribute the food correctly, so that as many useful elements as possible are absorbed.

Vitamin complexes: to give or not to give?

Teenagers need vitamins for brain function, memory improvement, concentration of attention, as their central nervous system works with overload. However, in the schedule of a teenager there is a place for the right menu. Yes, and so as to ensure a regular supply of nutrients.

In this case, you can use complex preparations designed for the age of a teenager.

A complete supply of the growing body with the necessary substances is an extremely complex task. There are enough reasons for this:

unavailability of certain foodstuffs in certain regions, for example - iodine and selenium deficiency are geo-referenced;

inability to eat the amount of food needed to cover the daily requirement of elements;

allergic to products that serve as suppliers of certain vitamins and minerals;

refusal of the child to eat according to the rules, children are often capricious and do not eat certain foods and dishes.

Ready-made vitamin complexes have been developed to solve these problems [4]. When choosing a drug, consider the goal - training mindfulness, memory abilities. Pay attention to the physiological parameters of the child.

What to take into account so that the complexes do not harm:

child's age, age doses;
the presence of chronic diseases that can disrupt the absorption of substances in the intestine;
initial level of intake of nutrients into the body;
region of residence;
level of daily intellectual and physical activity;
risk of allergic reactions to the supplement or its components.

Vitamins for children to work the brain and improve memory and attention should be prescribed by physicians. Before this, the child needs to be examined and the degree of neurological development assessed. With gross deviations, supplements will not help: medical assistance will be required.

The doctor will select a complex taking into account the activity, basic abilities, daily schedule, and the child's menu.

The best complexes for schoolchildren and teenagers

When choosing vitamin supplements for children so that their well-being and grades improve, you need to take into account the needs of the body.

Pharmacies offer a lot of vitamin options for mental activity, memory, attention for children with good reviews.

We have selected complexes that will positively affect the well-being of children and will not harm:

"Vitrum Memory" is a natural drug in capsules. Regular intake improves cerebral circulation, helps to form new neural connections. Relieves fatigue and increases mental activity.

"Junior B Smart" is not only useful, but also a game. For children, they are produced in the form of chewing fish, contain essential fats, including Omega-3, and vitamins. It has a positive effect on the nervous system, stimulates the development of attention and imagination.

Pikovit Omega-3 for teenagers. A multi-component drug that improves brain function. The combination of fats, minerals and vitamins helps to adapt to the increased intellectual workload. The supplement is suitable for elementary school students and high school students preparing for exams.

In case of problems with cognitive functions at school age, it is necessary not only to figure out what vitamins to take to improve memory and attention, pumping the mind in children at 10, 11 or 12 years old, but also to undergo an examination [5].

In childhood, it is extremely important to follow the correct formation of the basic functions of the brain.

It is possible that it will not be possible to improve memory and attentiveness with vitamins alone. Then the doctors of the clinic will draw up a plan of measures that will help a particular child realize his mental potential.

References

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