Sugar & Processed Foods: Enemies of Your Child’s Gut?
Sweets and processed foods can throw your child’s gut off balance. Learn how sugar affects the microbiome—and which alternatives really help.
Imagine your child is a little builder and their body is a growing construction site. In order for bones to become stable and strong, they need the right materials. One of the most important “building blocks” is vitamin D, which children and adults absolutely need. The good news is that we can obtain vitamin D in a completely natural way – through sunlight and the right diet. In this article, you will find out why vitamin D is so important, how your child can get enough of it and what you as parents should pay attention to in order to optimally support bone health.
Vitamin D is the only vitamin that the body can produce itself – with the help of the sun! As soon as the sun’s rays hit the skin, a fascinating chain reaction starts: the cholesterol present in the skin is converted into a precursor of vitamin D by UVB rays. It is then converted into its active form in the liver and kidneys – only then can it develop its full effect and support bone formation.
The number one rule for a well-filled vitamin D battery is: your children should regularly spend time outdoors to get enough sunlight. This is because the human body produces vitamin D mainly through the effect of sunlight on the skin. 15-30 minutes a day is a good guideline. However, the body’s own production of vitamin D can be limited, especially in the winter months or in regions with low levels of sunlight.
In addition to sunlight, diet also plays an important role in the supply of vitamin D. Foods such as fatty fish – for example salmon or mackerel – egg yolks and fortified products such as certain types of milk or juices can help to cover the requirement. However, it is often difficult to get enough vitamin D from food alone, which is why it can be useful to take supplements in consultation with a pediatrician.
inne® Whole Brainne® DHA memo
*DHA contributes to the maintenance of healthy brain and vision function.
*The positive effect occurs with a daily intake of 250 mg DHA
**Contains< 0.5 g sugar per 100 g
Recent studies show that the combination of sufficient vitamin D intake and regular physical activity significantly improves bone health in children. Children who are moderately to intensively physically active for at least 60 minutes a day and have sufficient vitamin D levels have higher bone stiffness – an indicator of stronger bones.
As parents, you can specifically support your children’s vitamin D supply. This can be achieved with the following measures:
Use sunlight: Your children should play outside regularly, especially during the sunny months – this is a great way to replenish their vitamin D stores. However, remember to protect their skin from excessive sun exposure with cream and appropriate clothing to avoid sunburns.
Balanced diet: Incorporate vitamin D-rich foods into your children’s diet several times a week. These not only support bone health, but also promote the general well-being of your little ones.
Encourage exercise: Make sure your children get enough exercise every day. Activities such as romping, running, jumping or cycling strengthen bones and contribute to general health – preferably in the fresh air!
Consider supplementation: Taking vitamin D supplements for children and adults can be particularly useful in the winter months or when sun exposure is limited. It is best to speak to your pediatrician to determine the correct dosage.
Healthy, strong bones are the foundation for an active and carefree life – and vitamin D plays a key role in this. With a little time in the sun, the right diet and plenty of exercise, you can give your child the best conditions for stable growth. So, get out into the sunlight, put a piece of salmon on your plate and off you go on an adventure!
Here you can find out how important omega-3 fatty acids, especially the DHA variant, are for the healthy cognitive development of your children.
Sweets and processed foods can throw your child’s gut off balance. Learn how sugar affects the microbiome—and which alternatives really help.