Be a Major Brainiac About Your Children’s Brain Health
Realize it or not, putting your children’s brain health on the right path starts in their very first years, so making sure that they get the essential vitamins they need for proper cognitive function and memory development is a critical part of your role as their parent. Your children’s wellness overall is directly linked to their mental function; so as the school year begins, make sure you have learned everything you can about the best ways to avoid nutrient deficiencies that could put their physical and developmental health at the bottom of the class.
It’s A Phase
In the early 1950’s, a French psychologist published his theory that children’s brain health and development occurs in four stages that all build upon one another, like building blocks. As a parent, understanding these stages could better help you understand how well they are progressing.
Stage 1: Sensorimotor Stage (birth-2 years) Children at this stage learn through their senses and by manipulating objects.
Stage 2: Preoperational Stage (age 2-7) Children are in the midst of memory development as well as the development of their imagination; learning to understand things symbolically, and beginning to grasp the concept of time.
Stage 3: Concrete Operational Stage (ages 7-11) Children are growing more aware of external events and beginning to be cognizant of the emotions of others.
Stage 4: Formal Operational Stage (age 11 and above) Children are able to solve problems through the use of logic, can comprehend their environment, and are learning to plan ahead.
Brain Food
Nutrient deficiencies affect children’s brain function, so reversing those deficiencies can help improve their memory and focus. As you are probably well aware, there are vitamins for children and supplements for memory that are specially formulated to contain natural brain boosters, but you should also try to pack their lunch bags (and their plates) with foods that are nutrient-dense and supply them with the things they need for excellent health.
Be a B Student
B vitamins, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and folate are all vitamins critical to things like learning, focus, memory, and overall brain development that could have a lasting effect into adulthood. Being deficient can lead to memory loss, brain dysfunction, brain deterioration, and even delayed development; so make sure that your children are getting the recommended amounts of each through the use of supplements as well as foods like leafy green vegetables, fruits, lean meats, and dairy products.
Iron-On
A mega-player in the mineral world is iron, which is critical in safeguarding against poor memory and cognitive skills. Children who get proper amounts of iron in their diet have been shown to have higher IQs, while those with deficiencies have memory issues and poor thinking skills. Try pumping them up with meat and seafood, leafy green vegetables, nuts and legumes, and iron-fortified foods.
Be a Fathead
Omega-3 fatty acids are necessary to the health of brain cell membranes, and children with ADHD are often deficit in Omega-3s. Pay special attention that your child is getting these healthy fats in good supply so that their brain can function at its best by feeding them oily fish like salmon, shellfish, walnuts, soy, flax seeds, and hemp seeds. Supplement deficiencies with fish oil, flaxseed oil, or hemp oil.
Get your child ready to hit the books by taking advantage of your Ask Everwell consultation. Our healthcare professionals will work one-on-one with you and your child and help you develop a plan to fortify them for the years ahead.
Be thoughtful about your children’s health! Schedule your Ask Everwell consultation with the experts at Everwell Specialty Pharmacy to learn about children’s brain health and shop our line of children’s supplements today!
