For optimal brain and heart health, there’s nothing much more important that getting the proper nutrition. This is especially true for growing children. That’s why all health-conscious parents must make sure their child consumes enough Vitamin B.
This nutrient is used by the body to make energy from food, in normal neurological functions and in the formation of the red blood cells that are responsible for carrying oxygen to organs and tissues – most importantly, to the heart and brain.
Not sure if your child is lacking in Vitamin B? We’ve put together this quick list of possible signs of nutritional deficiency:
When your child is lacking in Vitamin B 12, their nervous system, cerebral cortex and heart functions can be affected. This can bring about abdominal pain, edema, weakness, insomnia and even voice loss. If these symptoms are cropping up, lack of B-vitamins might be the culprit.
When you child is lacking in Vitamin B 6, your child could be experiencing things like diarrhea, anemia, weakness, irritability and possibly even seizures. Deficiencies of Vitamin B 6 have also been attributed to things like inattention, impulsiveness, hyperactivity, temper tantrums and other inappropriate behaviors.
Luckily, Vitamin B is readily available in the foods we eat. It’s found in meat, nuts, eggs, dairy and beans. In addition, the dark green leafy vegetables are also a wonderful source of this essential vitamin. Salad greens, kale, spinach (which are also packed with vitamins A, C, E and K), as well as foods like broccoli, bok choy and mustard are rich in many of the B-vitamins. Even better, these vegetables also contain an abundance of antioxidants that protect cells as well as high levels of fiber, iron, magnesium, potassium and calcium, and are also very low in carbohydrates, sodium and cholesterol, which make them a good addition to a healthy diet.
As always, check with your doctor if you think your child might have any nutritional deficiencies. But you can make sure your child has the best possible chance at good health by ensuring a healthy diet filled with vitamins and other important nutrients!