Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients for the body to function and maintain its health, as they play a role at hundreds or even thousands of vital processes. The body works daily to produce and regenerate cells, as it periodically produces healthy red blood cells rich in oxygen and sends them to all the cells of the body, and sends nerve signals over distances exceeding thousands of miles to control the efficiency of all the vital processes. It also rejuvenates the skin, heals wounds, builds muscles, strengthens bones and supports the immune system in preparation for any change that may occur, in addition to it working on equipping stores to support the body if any deficiency occurs and issuing immediate instructions that help preserve life.

But to do all this, the body needs some raw materials. This includes at least 30 vitamins, minerals and nutrients that it needs but cannot synthesize on its own in adequate quantities.

Here comes the importance of proper nutrition, especially for children, because their bodies need many vitamins and minerals because they are in the process of growth, where the body bears the responsibility for building every cell and organ properly to function efficiently and bear the struggles of life in the future, and because children do not yet understand the importance of proper nutrition and the importance of preparing an integrated meal, the responsibility lies on the shoulders of the parents to build a healthy life and instill healthy habits that continue to have a good effect throughout life.

What are the most important of these vitamins and minerals, what is their role in supporting growth, and where can they be obtained?

This is what we will discuss in today's article...

1. Vitamins
2. The most important vitamins for the growth of children
3. Minerals
4. The most important minerals for the growth of children
5. The importance of nutritional supplements for children

1. Vitamins

Vitamins are organic substances found in trace quantities in natural foods, and they are either fat-soluble or water-soluble:

• Fat soluble vitamins

Such as vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E and vitamin K, which are vitamins that the body stores in the fatty tissues and liver, so that the reserves of these vitamins remain in the body for days and sometimes months.

• Water soluble vitamins

 Like vitamin C and B complex vitamins, they are vitamins that are soluble in water and fluids but do not stay in the body for a long time and cannot be stored, because they are excreted from the body through urine. For this reason, the body needs a regular supply of it more than the fat-soluble vitamins.

1. The most important vitamins for the growth of children

• Vitamin C

It is one of the essential vitamins for healthy skin, gums, teeth, bones and cartilage. Helps in iron absorption to support red blood cell manufacturing, works on wound healing and fighting infections.

Sources: Berries, pineapple, mango, colored pepper, parsley, broccoli, spinach and cabbage.

• Vitamin A

Important for eyesight and night vision. It maintains moisture in the tissues of the mouth, respiratory system and urinary tract to protect the body from harmful bacteria, in addition to it working on building immunity to fight infections.

Sources: oily fish (salmon, sardines, and herring), full-fat dairy products, egg yolks, carrots, spinach, apricots, mangoes, pumpkin, cauliflower.

• Vitamin D

It works in cooperation with calcium and phosphorus to form strong and healthy bones and teeth and prevent rickets in children.

Sources: sunlight (about 15 minutes exposure every day), oily fish (herring, salmon, tuna and sardines), eggs and dairy products.

• Vitamin E

An antioxidant with an effective role in preventing cancer and heart disease, and it works to maintain healthy skin.

Sources: Nuts, seeds (chia seeds, flax seeds, sesame seeds), eggs, fish and vegetable oils.

• Vitamin K

It is necessary for blood clotting and for calcium to precipitate in the bones and teeth.

Sources: green leafy vegetables (spinach), broccoli, cauliflower, eggs, cheese, whole-wheat flour and bread.

• Vitamin B1

Helps convert carbohydrates in food into energy for the body to use for growth, and is essential for a healthy heart, nervous and digestive system.

Sources: wheat germ, wheat bran, nuts, seeds (chia seeds, flaxseeds, sesame seeds) and fortified breakfast cereals.

• Vitamin B2

Important for the growth, regeneration and repair of tissues, especially tissues of the skin and eyes, and helps convert food into energy.

Sources: dairy products (milk, cheese, and yogurt), egg whites, mushrooms and almonds.

• Vitamin B3

It helps control cholesterol levels in the blood, and is important for the nervous and digestive systems health.

Sources: Meat, oily fish (tuna and salmon), eggs, milk, legumes, and peanuts.

• Vitamin B5

Helps process carbohydrates, fats and proteins for energy, and participates in the formation of fatty acids and beneficial cholesterol.

Sources: meat, fish, eggs, legumes, nuts, bread and green vegetables (watercress, spinach, parsley, coriander).

• Vitamin B6

It helps with the formation of red blood cells, and is important for brain function and immune system health.

Sources: Meat, chicken, fish and nuts.

• Vitamin B7 (Biotin)

Important to support nerve cell functions, and it promotes healthy hair and nail growth.

Sources: egg yolks, oats, legumes, mushrooms and nuts.

• Vitamin B9 (folic acid)

It works on the production of red blood cells and DNA, it maintains the health of the nervous system, and is important in early pregnancy to prevent fetal deformities.

Sources: Yeast, peas, avocados, and nuts.

• Vitamin B12

It works with folic acid to produce red blood cells and DNA, and supports the health of nerves in the body, especially peripheral ones.

Sources: meat, poultry, fish and seafood, eggs and milk.

1. Minerals

Minerals are the elements in the earth and in foods that our bodies need to develop and function normally. Essential elements for health include calcium, phosphorous, potassium, sodium, chloride, magnesium, iron, zinc, iodine, chromium, copper, fluoride, molybdenum, manganese, and selenium.

1. The most important minerals for the growth of children

• Calcium

Essential for building bones and teeth, aiding muscle contraction, supporting nervous system functions, aiding blood clotting and preventing bleeding.

Sources: Dairy products (milk, cheese, and yogurt), sardines and canned salmon with bones, broccoli and almonds.

• Phosphorous

It works with calcium to create strong, healthy bones and teeth, and helps the body store and use energy.

Sources: Meat, eggs, milk, cheese, bran, wheat germ, nuts and seeds (chia seeds, flax seeds, sesame seeds).

• Zinc

It helps in wound healing, strengthens the efficiency of the immune system to protect the body from diseases, and is necessary for the development of senses such as sight, taste and smell, in addition to supporting the process of building and forming bones.

Sources: Meat, fish, poultry, legumes and nuts.

• Iron

It helps red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body and prevents anemia.

Sources: Meat, liver, poultry, seafood, eggs, spinach, broccoli and legumes.

• Copper

 It participates with iron in the formation of red blood cells and helps the nervous system to function efficiently.

Sources: Seafood (shellfish, lobster), nuts and yeast.

• Potassium

It controls nerve signals and muscle contractions, and helps maintain fluid balance in the body.

Sources: Nuts, dried fruits, bananas and dates.

• Magnesium

 It provides the basic structure for healthy bones, and is essential for muscle and nerve function.

Sources: Bananas, dates, nuts, seeds (chia seeds, flax seeds, sesame seeds), milk, meat and fish.

• Iodine

It promotes normal thyroid function and helps normal brain function.

Sources: Seafood, iodized salt and green leafy vegetables (Rocca).

• Fluoride

 It helps build bones and prevents rickets, in addition to supporting dental health and reducing the possibility of tooth decay.

Sources: fish and tea.

1. The importance of nutritional supplements for children

Despite the availability and variety of sources of natural vitamins and minerals, most children may refuse to eat them or eat them in small quantities that are not sufficient to meet their needs. We have known together that vitamins and minerals are present in trace quantities in food and to be able to get our needs we should diversify food and consume good quantities of it. However, this may present a challenge to mothers, so doctors may recommend some comprehensive nutritional supplements that contain all the necessary elements in amounts appropriate to the age of the child to help his body to grow properly.

The more the nutritional supplement is rich in a good number of vitamins and minerals, the better it is, but the composition must be integrated,  as we have seen calcium, vitamin D, vitamin K, phosphorus and others share in building bones, so a supplement that contains only calcium will not work, and so on with the iron that needs Vitamin C and Vitamin B6 for the manufacturing of red blood cells, so the ideal product is one that contains a comprehensive and integrated group of vitamins and minerals that works together to support a  certain function.

This is what Vitabella Chocolate does, the first therapeutic chocolate for children, for solve the problem of delayed growth in a palatable and child-friendly nutritional form. One tablespoon of Vitabella contains:

1. Iron
2. Calcium
3. Zinc
4. Vitamin A (beta-carotene): Antioxidant and immune booster
5. Lysine: an appetite enhancer
6. Citrus Sinensis orange extract: an appetizer
7. Vitamin C
8. Vitamin E
9. Vitamin D
10. B-complex vitamins (b1, b2, b3, b5, b6, b7, b8, b9, b12)

Vitabella dosage for children:

*This article was written by an integrated medical team affiliated with Devart Lab, the leading company in the field of Nutraceuticals in Egypt and the Middle East (Nutrigenomics and Food Fortification), by providing nutrients that are fortified with minerals and vitamins that the body needs on a daily basis to obtain effective results in the least possible time. By using, the latest Pharmaceutical technologies that ensure full absorption without any side effects.