Like Vitamins, minerals also play a key role in building up a healthy body. Human body needs minerals for various different functions like building strong bones, maintaining normal heartbeat, forming hormones and transmitting nerve impulse.
Vitamins, minerals, kids and health are all part of one nutritional base. Kids required good amount of vitamins and minerals to grow and maintain a healthy body. It also helps them to increase the energy level and brain power that eventually makes them win the game of life.
There are many vitamins and minerals for kids. The most common minerals that children require to stay healthy and fit include iron, chromium, magnesium, zinc, potassium and calcium
Iron is the most essential mineral required to transport oxygen from lungs to other parts of the body. It also helps in formation of red blood cells, conversion of hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen, DNA synthesis, regulation of intracellular iron and energy metabolism. Good sources of iron are meat, tuna, eggs, beans, baked potato, whole grains and green leafy vegetables. Iron deficient children show signs of anemia, fatigue, and rapid hear beat and palpitation.
Calcium is the most essential mineral for the formation of bones and teeth. It also plays a major role in mediating the constriction and relaxation of blood vessels, stabilizing a number of proteins and enzymes and preserving normal psychological functions. Deficiency of calcium often leads to parathyroid. Dairy products and green leafy vegetables are best sources of calcium.
Copper is a critical trace element required for energy production, connective tissue formation, iron metabolism and normal functioning of the nervous system. Deficiency of copper is mostly found in infants and children fed on cow’s milk as cow’s milk does not contain copper. The symptoms of deficiency include anemia and abnormalities in bone development.
Chromium is a nutritionally essential element that participates in the metabolism of glucose by increasing the effects of insulin. Deficiency of these mineral results in impaired glucose tolerance.
Potassium enables proper functioning of muscles and the nervous system. It is found in bananas, broccoli, green leafy vegetables and dried fruits.
Zinc is also a trace mineral required for regulating the immune system and preventing infections and allergies. Found in beef, pork and legumes, this mineral also helps in healing wounds.
Kids vitamins and minerals are therefore very essential for normal and healthy growth of your child’s body and mind.