Nutrition

Some nutritional supplements are harmful and have side effects, if taken without the direction of physician. They should be taken only under proper prescription. Some common side effects of dietary supplements are as follows. Read on.It is necessary to ensure that children get all the required nutrients through their diet. These nutrients are very vital for their growth and development. If child is not getting right nutrition, she may lag behind in attaining her growth milestones. In this case nutritional supplements are recommended by doctors. But in some cases the overdose of such vitamins and minerals can proved risky for children. Therefore, it is very crucial to introduce nutritional supplements to children only when it is recommended by doctors. Let us take a look at the effects of some nutritional supplements. In this articleIron Preparations (Anti-Anaemic)CalciumVitamin B ComplexAre nutritional supplements necessary for children? Do fussy children need nutritional supplements?What kinds of nutrients are essential for children? Calcium Iron Vitamin A, B, C and DWhat are the signs that a child needs nutritional supplements? Iron Preparations (Anti-Anaemic) Product: Iron salts For Children: No known effects For Pregnant Women: Safe For Breastfeeding Mothers: ------- Contra-indications*: Inability to tolerate iron Caution: Must monitor reticular counts and haemoglobin levels during therapy Calcium Product: Calcium salts For Children: Safe For Pregnant Women: Safe For Breastfeeding Mothers: Safe Contra-indications*: Hypercalcaemia Caution: ------------ Vitamin B Complex Product: Vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12 and C. For Children: Dose to be as per direction of physician For Pregnant Women: Safe For Breastfeeding Mothers: Safe Contra-indications*: ----------- Caution: ------------ *Not to be used in the conditions stated, because it could cause complications. None of the above mentioned supplements should be given to children or taken by anyone without the prescription of doctor.Are nutritional supplements necessary for children? If a child is growing normally, there is no need of giving any nutritional supplement to him or her. As long as your child is healthy, there is no need to worry about giving nutritional supplements to her. Do fussy children need nutritional supplements?Child being a fussy eater is not a sign that she needs nutritional supplements. Fussy eating habits in children is common but that does not mean that nutritional requirements are not getting fulfilled. Some fussy eater may grow in a healthy manner and may not show any signs of nutritional deficiency. What kinds of nutrients are essential for children? Children need a number of vitamins and mineral for their healthy growth and development. Foods rich in such vitamins must be included in their diet. Let us take a look at the nutrients that are essential for children. Calcium Calcium is very important for growing children. Calcium is vital nutrient for children to build strong bones and teeth. Calcium rich foods include mainly milk and other dairy products. It is a must to include these foods in your child’s diet to help her meet her requirements of calcium. Iron Iron helps to supply oxygen to the different parts of body and it is vital for the formation of healthy red blood cells. Deficiency of iron can cause disorders like anaemia. Dark green leafy vegetables, dry fruits like raisins and prunes, seafood and tofu are some of the rich sources of iron for children. Vitamin A, B, C and DVitamin A, B, C and D are also important nutrients essential for healthy growth and development of children. Vitamin A is essential for maintaining eye and skin health. Vitamins from vitamin B group like vitamin B2, B3, B6 and B12 are vital for improved metabolism. Vitamin C is needed by children for having healthy gums and teeth as well as faster healing of minor wounds and Vitamin D is required by the body to absorb calcium. What are the signs that a child needs nutritional supplements? Some of the common signs that a child may need nutritional supplements are that she may not be gaining adequate weight, her height may not be as much as the average height of the children of her age, she may fall sick frequently etc. In such cases, doctor may recommend some nutritional supplements to the child. Making a note of what children require for their healthy growth and development is extremely important. It is very important to depend on the natural sources of nutrients for children instead of option for supplements. Make sure that you do not give any vitamin or nutritional supplements to your child without consulting a paediatrician to prevent the adverse effects.