Top 3 Supplements for Children and Adults

2.  Probiotics

Probiotics are incredibly important for our gut health and our gut health as we continue to learn, is interconnected to so many different areas.  Ensuring the health of our gut is important for keeping all of our other body systems working efficiently.  There are about 4 pounds of bacteria found in our gut, both good, beneficial bacteria but also bad bacteria that if they outnumber the good, can start to cause some trouble which often crops up as symptoms like constipation, gas, bloating, general digestive system difficulties, candida or yeast overgrowths, getting sick more often or even changes in your skin.

Luckily, there's plenty you can do to keep your gut health in balance including eating plenty of fruits and vegetables,  consuming more fermented foods and drinks like kombucha, kefir and sauerkraut, drinking plenty of water and minimizing your use of antacids.  However, because most of us (or our children) aren't consuming much for fermented foods and because we aren’t perfect, it might be a good idea for you or your family to start taking a probiotic supplement.     

Benefits can include:

- Improved immune system
-  Improved elimination
- Reduction in constipation
- Improved digestion
- Less gas and bloating
- Reduced yeast infections and Candida overgrowth
- Improved mood

Now,  the world of probiotics gets a little confusing. There are many different kinds and strains and potencies. The different strains of bacteria affect the body in different ways and in different parts of the digestive tract – some of them work to provide a natural defence against pathogens and keep your immune system strong while others might help reduce inflammation. A good rule of thumb for most people is to look for a multiple strain probiotic with plenty of L’s for the little intestine and B’s for the big intestine.

Children can start taking a probiotic as soon as they are born in powder form (mixed with breastmilk or formula)  and can switch over to a chewable around the age of 3-4 and finally, in capsule form into adulthood.

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3.  Omega 3's

Omega 3's are another one that most adults and children are missing in their everyday diets which is why it's included in our Top 3 Supplements.  Omega 3's are a type of essential fatty acid, meaning our body can't produce them on its own so we need to get them from our diet or through supplementation.   We can get Omega 3's in our diet through foods like nuts and seeds like hemp, chia, flax as well as seafood.  Your child can start taking a liquid Omega 3 Fish Oil or plant based Omega 3 liquid starting at the age of 1 years old and can continue on into adulthood.

Omega 3 benefits include:

- Skin health - provides lubrication, seals in moisture, aids in skin aging, helpful for dry itchy skin and acne
- Joint health, arthritis and pain
- Heart health
- Mental wellness in both children and adults - aids in conditions like high stress, anxiety and depression
- Managing ADHD symptoms in children
- Aids in focus, brain health and development
- Supports nervous system, brain and eye health in children

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Final Thoughts

Oftentimes, when it comes to supplements, we want to take ALL the things. But less is often more. Stick with a good general base (Multivitamin/Mineral, Probiotic and Fish Oil), hydrate, good sleep habits, nourish your body through good nutrition, manage your stress levels and assess where you might be needing to supplement your diet elsewhere.

If you're not eating enough green foods, maybe a greens powder would be beneficial for you, if you're not eating enough foods rich in B Vitamins like beans, legumes, leafy greens etc and are often fatigued, maybe adding in a B Complex supplement would be beneficial for you. Supplementation is incredibly individual and a one-size-fits-all approach just doesn't work but these three are a great place to start.

Please remember to talk to your own doctor if you're wanting to change anything in your supplementation or diet routine to ensure these changes are right for you. All information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose, cure or treat