5 minFor this blog, we interviewed Kari - De Groene Mama (The Green Mum). In this blog, she tells you more about her Vitamin Routine with children:
We have been using Vitaminfit's vegan nutritional supplements for over 2.5 years now. I use the Kids versions for my children and the drops and capsules for adults for myself. My daughters are 5 and 8 years old and receive Vitaminfit drops every day, as a supplement to a diet that is as healthy, tasty and nutritious as possible. I raise my children on a vegan diet, but when we eat out, they sometimes have eggs, cheese and other dairy products – no animals. In this blog, I will tell you which nutritional supplements I give my daughters and why!
Which supplements do I give my children?
My daughters, Isaya (8) and Alela (5), receive vitamin D, vitamin B12, iron and omega 3. Sometimes I also give them vitamin C as an extra boost when they are a little tired after a busy period or when there are a lot of viruses around. The iron drops also contain vitamin C, as this improves the absorption of plant-based iron.
I find the Vitaminfit drops handy because I can choose what I supplement and what I don't: we can put together our own “cocktail” with the purest vitamins and minerals, without additives. The drops are also ideal for children because they have a fairly neutral taste and can be added to (vegan) yoghurt, drinks, smoothies and food.
Why do I choose these four supplements?
We choose vitamin D, B12, iron and omega because these are more difficult or impossible to obtain from plant-based foods. These vitamins and minerals are mainly found in animal products such as fish, meat, cheese, eggs and cow's milk. Of course, you don't eat these as a vegan. But they are indispensable. Below, I explain why.
Omega 3
Vitaminfit's omega 3 drops contain both EPA and DHA. This is essential for a good vegan omega 3 supplement. Omega 3 consists of 3 fatty acids: alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). As a vegan, you can obtain ALA from plant-based foods (it is found in flaxseed and walnuts, for example). But EPA and DHA cannot. Most people think you have to get it from fish. But that is not the original source. Fish are rich in omega 3 because they eat algae.
It is therefore much more efficient, cleaner and, of course, more environmentally and animal-friendly to choose algae oil. An additional advantage of Vitaminfit's vegan omega is that it also contains ALA. This makes it a truly complete supplement. Omega-3 plays a very important role in the development of a child's brain. It is not without reason that, alongside folic acid, it is one of the most important supplements to take during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Omega-3 also does a lot for your eyesight and your heart.
Vitamin D
The most important source of vitamin D is sunlight. You can get your vitamin D from sunlight by spending 30 minutes outside every day between 11:00 and 15:00. You can also get vitamin D from meat, fish, eggs, milk and other animal products. Vitamin D contributes to healthy bones, teeth, muscles, eyes, heart and blood vessels, immunity, cells and tissue. It has a positive effect on your immunity, metabolism, immune system, mood, blood pressure and skin ageing.
In addition, vitamin D improves the absorption of calcium (which you need for healthy bones and teeth). It is also important for your mood that you do not have a vitamin D deficiency. Anyone who suffers from winter blues or depression knows this. We use the vitamin D variant in combination with vitamin K because these two vitamins reinforce each other's effects and together have a positive influence on your body's calcium absorption.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 ensures proper cell division, how well your body can recover and supports the immune system (good resistance). Frequent illness can be a sign of a deficiency. In addition, B12 promotes energy metabolism, releasing energy from proteins, carbohydrates and fats that you consume through your diet. You need this energy to do your daily activities and feel fit.
Your memory, your ability to concentrate, your learning abilities, but also your mood are all dependent on maintaining adequate B12 levels. Finally, B12 plays an important role in the formation of red blood cells. Red blood cells transport oxygen and carbon dioxide between your lungs and the rest of your body. Your muscles – including your heart muscle – need this oxygen to function properly. In short, B12 plays an essential role in your physical, mental and emotional health.
Iron
Iron supports your body in a number of very important processes. It is necessary for the formation of haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is part of red blood cells. Red blood cells transport oxygen through your body. This allows you to burn nutrients, releasing energy. Iron therefore plays an important role in your energy metabolism.
Your cells also need iron to produce DNA. This makes it a very important mineral for children, who are growing and developing rapidly. It is also important for cognitive development. Iron also plays a role in the production of dopamine and serotonin, maintaining your immune system and a healthy metabolism. As I mentioned above, the vitamin C in the iron supplement ensures better absorption of the plant-based iron. But you also need vitamin C for a healthy immune system and strong resistance.
Not just for vegans and vegetarians
It is not the case that you will necessarily have deficiencies if you are vegan or vegetarian. Nor is it the case that you will definitely have no deficiencies if you eat meat and fish. I have been vegetarian all my life and vegan for almost 13 years, and I have rarely had any deficiencies. Many people who consciously eat a vegetarian or vegan diet pay extra attention to what they eat because they know that they cannot get everything they need from their plant-based diet. They are used to looking up what is in foods, studying labels, having blood tests done and taking supplements.
In addition, meat eaters can also develop a vitamin B12 deficiency due to impaired absorption. In fact, impaired absorption is the most common cause of B12 deficiency. B12 is absorbed in the last part of the small intestine, but before that it has to pass through the stomach. Gastric juice contains an important substance: intrinsic factor. You need this for the absorption of B12. Intrinsic factor is produced by the gastric mucosa. If the body does not produce enough of this substance because the gastric mucosa is damaged, this can lead to a B12 deficiency.
Here is a list of the causes of a B12 deficiency.
