The Best Vitamins for Kids According to a Naturopath

Your child’s health routine can be as extensive and targeted as your own routine. Their young bodies and minds do have a specific set of nutritional needs for development, vision, immunity, cognition, and gut health. If you're left wondering if your picky eater or school aged child is getting enough nutrients in the day, you are not alone. Organika has formulated a kid’s natural supplement lineup; which covers everything from multivitamins, zinc and probiotics to specific formulations for vision and cognition. Give your kids a healthy head start. DIET IS THE FOUNDATION TO YOUR FAMILY'S HEALTH It’s no secret that due to time constraints, the world of quick, packaged and processed convenience foods came to be. Convenience and processed foods are often void of nutrients, in comparison to eating whole foods. In addition, sugar, carbonated beverages, and junk food can leach vitamins and minerals away from growing bodies. Eating a whole foods diet is key! Supplementation may help to boost overall health. Boost Your Kid's Overall Health Multivitamins can help fill nutritional gaps. Picky eaters may not always be getting the required amount of vitamins or minerals that the growing body needs at a young age. Additionally, if your child has a preexisting condition or requires medication, there may be concern for nutrients being depleted. Always consult with a health care practitioner before adding supplements to your children’s routine. Organika Li'l Kids Multi Vitamin Spray contains a broad range of vitamins to provide your child with a solid base. Vitamin A, which contributes to the health and strength of the surface of the eyes, mucous membranes and skin surrounding the eyes. These serve as vigilant barriers against bacteria and viruses ,reducing risk of eye and respiratory infections. For developing immune systems, there are vitamins C and Vitamin D which are vital for antimicrobial response, a key part of immune protection. Vitamin C strengthens immune defenses and keeps the immune system responsive. It is also a powerful antioxidant, a key ingredient in combating damage from free radicals and preventing oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can lead to asthma, diabetes and inflammatory disorders like eczema. Vitamins B6 and B12 are included to support energy metabolism and iodine for a healthy thyroid. Thyroid hormones are key for healthy growth and development, as well as heart, muscle and digestive function. Supporting the thyroid is vital for cognitive development and maintenance of strong bones. All these nutrients come in a convenient spray, that is non-GMO and gluten-free! It’s a no-fuss way to administer essential nutrients. Li'l Kids Multi Vitamin Spray has earned the Parent Tested Parent Approved seal; parents love this multi! Support Your Child's Immune System Target immune health directly with Organika Kids Liquid Zinc with Vitamin C or Li'l Kids Zinc Spray with Vitamin C (for the little ones in a no-fuss spray format). This combination supports over 300 enzymatic reactions in your child’s body while focusing on immune function and wound healing. It also regulates immune responses, preparing them to protect and prevent overactivity. These two layers of immune defense are also directly linked to zinc levels and can become impaired if we become deficient. Kids Liquid Zinc with Vitamin C supports the immune system and encourages the body’s natural ability to metabolize nutrients. Vitamin C adds antioxidants to counteract free radicals and support your child’s general good health. Probiotics and Immune Health WHY GUT HEALTH IS KEY TO IMMUNE HEALTH Antibody production and its abundance is based on healthy ratios of probiotic bacteria in the gut. 70% of our immune system is housed here! Your baby’s microbiome development started at birth, passed on from the mother, and as a result, their immune health starts to develop. The proliferation of good gut bacteria supports a healthy microbiome by ensuring the ratios of “good” to “bad” bacteria stay in check. Organika's Baby Probiotic Drops With Vitamin D should be a part of your child’s ongoing bowel and immune support. It can reduce the occurrence of colic in breastfed infants and provide the gut microbiome with diverse microorganisms. This is also another supplement that has won the Parent-tested Parent-approved seal! As your child grows, continue to support their gut flora’s delicate balance with our easy-to-take Kids Probiotic Chewable Tablets. These delicious, tropical pineapple-flavoured tablets contain 1 billion CFU of clinically proven live probiotic strains. Multiple strains diversify our good gut bacteria and strengthen immune protection. Guard their brain health as well, and reduce the occurrence of inflammation by making these chewable probiotic tablets part of their daily healthcare routine. Support your Child’s Cognitive Health Supporting brain health with Kids Liquid Plant Based DHA will have your little ones meeting all developmental milestones with ease! Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are omega-3 fatty acids that work together to assist in the formation of neurotransmitters and reduce inflammation that impedes healthy function. DHA supports the growth and development of their whole nervous system. EPA supports cognitive function and reduces inflammatory disorders throughout the body. Obtaining omega-3 fatty acids from food can be challenging, and many children aren’t reaching daily requirements. EPA and DHA are formulated here in specific ratios for maximum benefits. Organika Kids Liquid Plant Based DHA comes in delicious Lemon Burst flavour and are vegan-friendly! Our DHA and EPA, omega-3 fatty acids are sourced from a marine algae called Schizochytrium. Schizochytrium is a freshwater microalgae that is rich in DHA. Fish get their EPA and DHA from microalgae. This plant-based supplement bypasses the consumption of fish and makes for clean and potent omega-3 support! Support Your Child’s Vision Organika omega-3 supplements help prevent dry eyes and other symptoms associated with computer vision syndrome. Constant movement, focusing and reduced blinking associated with screen time leads to computer vision syndrome and eventual degeneration. Omega-3s support the balance of oil, mucus and water required in and around the eyes to maintain even and consistent lubrication. To support and protect your child’s vision, we recommend pairing Kids Liquid Plant-Based DHA with our Kids Vision Chewable Tablets for increased protection! Organika Kids Vision Chewable Tablets contain 2000 IUs of vitamin A and 800 mcg of Beta-carotene per serving. This helps maintain healthy eyesight and improves nighttime vision. Vitamin A plays a vital role in vision. There are two forms of vitamin A; plant-derived and animal-derived. Animal sourced vitamin A is called retinol or “preformed” vitamin A, which is ready for the body to use. Good sources of retinol vitamin A include beef, chicken liver, whole milk and cheese. Plant-derived vitamin A is known as “provitamin A” carotenoids, which are converted in the body. Good sources include carrots, sweet potato, spinach and kale. Beta-carotene is one of the most common and effective versions of provitamin A carotenoid. If your child isn’t getting these sources, a supplement may be the answer. Support Your Child’s Growth, Bones and Teeth Organika’s Kids Liquid Calcium Plus with Vitamins D3 & K2 is designed for a growing child’s everyday needs. Available in a delicious mixed berry flavour, the liquid format is ideal for optimal absorption and convenience. The formulation is for all ages from 1+ (with different doses recommended). Calcium strengthens bone and teeth development while added vitamins and minerals support additional functions in the body. Vitamins D3 & K2 work together to support calcium in the building of healthy bones, they increase the absorption of calcium in the bones, and transport it to the areas it needs to be. Vitamin D also supports immune function and overall health. Magnesium supports healthy nerves, muscles, heart, as well as helping with energy and focus. Zinc supports many functions in the body including immune, skin, and intestinal health. This truly is the supplement that helps your child develop from small to big! THE RIGHT SUPPLEMENTS FOR YOUR CHILD Our entire kids lineup was made for kids, but with parental concerns at the top of mind. All the kids supplements are non GMO, gluten-free and free of artificial colours, preservatives, and sweeteners. Pick and choose what suits their needs best, and rest assured that with Organika, you’re always getting high quality support for the whole family! From our family to yours, we want EVERYONE to live healthy. Shop Kids Collection

Two of Organika’s Kids Supplements Have Earned the Parent Tested Parent Approved (PTPA) Seal From one family to another, the entire Organika Kids line was created to help parents provide essential nutrients to their littles in easy, child-friendly, no-fuss formats. Formulations are carefully created, third-party tested and now being recognized by parent groups as some of the best kids supplements on the market. PTPA Seal on Baby Probiotic Drops with Vitamin D and Li'l Kids Multi Vitamin Spray Made for kids, recommended by parents. The PTPA seal has been earned for our Li'l Kids Multi Vitamin Spray and Baby Probiotic Drops with Vitamin D. Both of these products were one of the first to be introduced as part of the kids supplements at Organika. The Li'l Kids Multi Vitamin Spray is targeted for kids aged 1-3. It provides essential vitamins for your toddler’s growing needs in an easy spray format. It’s great to support growth and development, provide immune support, eye health, and more. Baby Probiotic Drops With Vitamin D comes with a dropper, so it can be easily provided to breast-fed infants to help maintain a healthy gut flora, support healthy bone and teeth development, and reduce colic. Both supplements are key for the baby to toddler stage, a time where parents are forever concerned about their child's development. To have a seal of approval from other parents confirms we are helping our community and the children within it! What is PTPA exactly? Parent Tested Parent Approved (PTPA) is a community of parents sharing valuable feedback about products, awarding those they recommend through consumer testing and reviews. The PTPA Seal of Approval Award is a consumer-voted awards program focusing on everyday consumer goods products with families in mind. The seal certifies that the products have been evaluated and tested by several parents who feel strong enough about the product to recommend it as something to be used. It is a high standard, as it should be, as far as our little ones are concerned. From baby to adult, it’s a good feeling to be able to take care of the entire family’s needs. Shop Kids Collection Making living healthy achievable for everyone in your life – at all life stages.

by Dr. Cheryl Cooper, ND Getting back into the routine of school can be tough on kids and parents alike. Setting everyone up for an easy transition makes going back to school a fun and exciting time of year. Below are some tips and tricks to make it easier for everyone. Sleep is essential It’s surprising to know how much sleep kids need to function optimally. Sleep allows kids’ bodies and minds to grow and thrive and when they aren't getting enough, it affects them in ways that are detrimental to their health on so many levels. According to the National Sleep Foundation school age, kids need an average of 8-12 hours of sleep every night to be healthy1. (See chart below) Not sleeping well or enough can impact kids energy, their ability to think and remember, and their emotional well-being. If your child isn’t sleeping well for any reason, this needs to be addressed early as it is likely to become a chronic problem that affects them for the rest of their lives. One of the most important aspects of sleep for kids (and adults) is routine. Getting to bed at a regular time every night helps their body to know that it’s time to wind down and go to sleep. Having bedtime rituals also really helps with the preparation for sleep. Having a bath, brushing teeth, putting on pyjamas are all good ways for kids to start winding down their day. I also recommend getting them to put away their "screens" an hour before bed. As the electromagnetic field is disruptive to the hormones, the body produces for relaxation and sleep2. While every child is slightly different regarding how much sleep they need, most require the following to be fully rested: Immune Support One of the constant complaints that I deal with in the fall is kids getting sick when they head back to school. In addition to them being inside more, they also are exposed to more infectious germs that, unless their immune systems are healthy, will result in them getting sick. Once they are sick, their immune systems then become compromised setting them up for getting sick more often throughout the school year. One of the most important supplements to give kids before they start back to school is probiotics. A review of research on probiotics specific to immune health concludes that they have an immunomodulatory effect in the body meaning that they can have a direct effect on several immune response-related diseases including allergies, eczema, viral infections and potentiating the vaccination response3. Another way to provide excellent immune system support for kids is to give them medicinal mushrooms. Medicinal mushrooms like Reishi, Cordyceps, Lion's Mane and Shiitake have been used for millennia in Chinese Medicine to support the immune system and prevent illness. When given in proper doses, they can make all the difference for kids to stay healthy throughout the year. A bonus is that there is more research showing that they are also good for brain function and nervous system development4. They can be given to kids in a smoothie or mixed into yogurt or applesauce to make it easy for them to take. They don't even need to know that they’re there! Brain Power The list of health benefits from Omega-3 fatty acids is long5 but, most importantly Omega-3 fatty acids are essential to the brain, and neurological development and most kids (and adults) aren’t getting enough. There are both animal and plant-based omega three fatty acids, and both have been shown to be beneficial for health. Some of the principal sources of omega-3 fatty acids include cold water fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, anchovies, herring), walnuts, ground flax seeds and flax oil. Additionally, grass-fed meats, soy, cruciferous vegetables (kale, broccoli, Brussel sprouts), spinach, watercress and herbs such as parsley and mint all include necessary vitamins, minerals, fibre as well as protein. Diet What kids eat has a direct impact on their ability to function. If kids are eating foods that are nutrient dense and healthy, they will have lots of energy and brain power to get through the demands of their day with ease. Alternately, if they are eating foods with poor nutrient density (sugar, fat and processed foods), they'll struggle to get through their days. An unhealthy diet, of course, will add to any other stress they may already have going on at school. One of the best ways to pack some super nutrients for their energy, brain and immune system function into your kids is to start them out with a smoothie in the morning. Here is one of my kids favourite smoothie recipes: Per person: 1/2 Frozen Banana (I peel the bananas before I freeze them) 1/2 tbsp. Organika's Vege-Pro 2 Pitted Dates One tablespoon of Nut Butter (Almond Butter or Peanut Butter or any other nut butter) One teaspoon of Greens Powder or ½ cup of Greens One teaspoon of Omega 3 Oil (Fish or Flax) One teaspoon Liquid Multivitamin Get your kids off to a great start this year by using these simple tips for ensuring that they have everything they need to be smart, healthy and happy! References 1 https://sleepfoundation.org/excessivesleepiness/content/how-much-sleep-do-babies-and-kids-need 2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4130204/ 3 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4006993/pdf/nihms-441845.pdf 4 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24716157 5 http://www.healthline.com/nutrition/17-health-benefits-of-omega-3#section7 Dr. Cheryl Cooper B.Sc., ND Dr. Cheryl Cooper is a Naturopathic Doctor and the owner and CEO of Vitallife Integrative Medicine based in Ottawa. She has 20 years of experience in the health and wellness industry, specializing in hormone balancing, women’s health, detoxification, stress management and sleep issues. Dr. Cooper uses a holistic approach to helping patients, involving educating and empowering patients to take control of their health. Recently moved to her hometown of Canmore, Alberta, she now practices out of Inner Balance Spa in Calgary. Vitallife Integrative Medicine @doc_cheryl