Supplements for Children! What do you think?

In response to a recent question from a customer I posted some details about when we expect to release our new Total Balance for children. Interestingly, a blog reader feels that a supplement for children is not warranted.

Perhaps other readers may like to comment. I have responded to that readers post with my view about the merits of children taking a supplement. I think that I have got it right based on my personal observations in my travels and observing my grandchildren and their friends.

What do you think? Are children really getting all there nutrients from their normal diet? Are most of them healthy, free from colds and other sickness?

I have posted below the comment in question and my response.

Comment: from ‘keepitsimple’

This is ridiculous. Until at least 13, children should not even be on supplements (except maybe a little fish oil). In fact, I'd argue that it may very well do more harm than good.

Response: from Warren

I don't know where you live but I travel the world a lot and have yet to see anywhere where the majority of children get their full quota of nutrients.

No matter how good and diligent the parents are, it is very difficult for them to make sure that their children eat healthy. Usually everyone is in a rush for breakfast in the morning, (or even skip it). The children then generally buy their lunch...they fill up with crisps and other junk food. Even if a healthy lunch is prepared most kids throw them away and eat some tasty junk food.

How many children do you know who eat a lot of fruit and vegetables? Unless they live on an isolated tropical island and their family grows their own fruit and vegetables and they have no access to processed junk food I would think that you would be hard pressed to find one!

The reality is that degenerative diseases are starting much earlier and all of them are on the rise. I would predict that this will become worse over the coming decades as young adults are not now as healthy as their forebears and a factor of this may well be due to nutrient deficiencies as they were growing up.

So, far from it being ridiculous for children to take supplements I believe that it is being naive to think that most children are getting all the nutrients that they need to ensure a disease free life into adulthood.

The level of nutrients that children get will have an influence on their health in later life. For example, it cannot be disputed that even the mothers’ lack of nutrients during pregnancy, particularly DHA can impact on the child’s health in later years, so it reasonably follows that the same principles apply if a child us getting inadequate nutrients during their formative years.

Remember that cancers take 20 - 30 years to manifest! Have you ever considered the reason why cancer is hitting people younger and younger? I have no doubt that nutrient deficiencies in childhood are playing a significant role in this increase.

Would you want to take the risk of not ensuring that your child got the best possible start in life?

As for your suggestion that our new Total Balance Children’s may do more harm than good I think that you should do some research. All the ingredients that we are using are present in the food chain and are essential for healthy DNA and to help prevent free radicals, glycation, methylation and inflammation which in turn help ensure a long and healthy life.