Children's Health Issues

Children's health issues are increasing at an alarming rate. Over the past 20 years reported cases of autism, ADD, high-cholesterol, dental carries, and obesity rates have skyrocketed in children. Diabetes – most often referred to as "juvenile diabetes" and "childhood diabetes" – which is commonly diagnosed between birth and the first two years of life – are now turning up cases of people who are well into their teens and twenty's and finding out that they have type 1 diabetes.

Childhood is a critical time in physical developement and as appropiate, nutrition plays a vital role in this growth. However, The Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion from the USDA (2001) reveals that the diet quality of a vast majority of children is less than optimal. At a time when nutrition is essential for appropiate growth and development, a large percentage of children fall well below the recommended levels for vitamins, nutrients, and phytochemicals. As a result of these deficiencies and other acquired "unhealthy behaviors," small symptoms are carried into adulthood and eventually result in massive health issues.

Check out The 20 worst kids foods in America.

An example of this is the alarming rates of children developing high blood pressure at a young age; if this issue goes unaddessed throughout the years a child can grow into an adult suffering with coronary artery disease, athlersclerosis (plaque in walls of arteries), and eventually be at risk for a heart attack. Nutrition and the behaviors learned during childhood greatly affect the health status during adulthood.

Nutrition’s Impact on the Brain and Behavior

Omega-3s may play an important role in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A clinical study of nearly 100 boys showed those with lower levels of omega-3s had more learning and behavioral problems such as temper tantrums and sleep disturbances than boys with normal omega-3 levels. Another study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that boys age 8 to 10 years old who supplemented with DHA for eight weeks had improved brain function during a sustained attention task.

Children with ADHD are also often deficient in magnesium, which helps to calm the brain, and zinc, which helps produce the brain’s neurotransmitters.

Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a fatty acid found in high concentrations in the brain. PS benefits brain functions and cognitive performance, and has been shown to improve attention and focus, behavior and learning performance in children and young adults. Supporting this is a study where 27 children with ADHD took PS daily. After four months, 25 of the 27 children showed improvement in learning capacity and behavior.

Relìv Now® for Kids is a good source of DHA, EPA and PS, along with other vital brain-boosting nutrients children need to function their best.

Another alarming childhood crisis is the rate of autism within the youth. One out of every 150 children born are diagnosed with some form of autism. Although medical science has not been able to pinpoint an exact cause of this disease – turn your minds towards nutrition. Throughout the past few decades, our foods have morphed from a "nutrient rich, vitamin filled" source, to today, as "nutritionally depleted." Our foods are becoming barren, no longer dependable healthful sources for life. The question then begs: Where do we turn to if even the freshest produce and vegetables or leanest meats do not make us healthy?

A single nutrient in isolation taken by itself isn't very effective. But with the combination of other nutrients working together they strengthen one another and provide greater health benefits than they would individually. A quality proven nutritional supplement can strongly aid in the growth and development both physically and mentally.

Read the following information from "Science And Health Today" on children's health: http://www.reliv.com/includes/userfiles/file/wellness/US/EN/SHTodayNewsletter.pdf

Here are dozens of related articles demonstrating some of the scientifically sound reasons for including these ingredients in Reliv products. Go to: http://www.reliv.com/US/EN/Nutrition+News.html

For further information all on omega 3

Here are some common benefits of various foods parents and children all need to eat to stay healthy.

APPLES - protects the heart; aids in digestion; cushions joints

APRICOTS - fights cancer;controls blood pressure; helps with eyesight

BANANAS - blocks diarrhea; strengthens bones;

BLUEBERRIES - stabilizes blood sugars; prevents constipation;

BROCCOLI - strengthens bones; protects heart;

CANTALOPE - lowers cholesterol; supports immune system

CARROTS - improves eyesight; promotes weight loss; combats cancer

CHERRIES - heart health; supports healthy joints; ends insomnia

GRAPES - enhances blood flow; fights kidney stones;

GRAPEFRUIT - weight loss; lowers cholesterol; prevents strokes

HONEY - heals wounds; aids digestion; fights allergies

LEMONS - soothes skin; stops scurvy

LIMES - combats cancer; heart protection

MANGOES - regulates thyroid; boosts memory

OATS - fights diabetes; prevents constipation;lowers cholesterol

ORANGES - supports immune system; strengthens respiratory system

PEACHES - helps with hemorrhoids; fights strokes; helps with digestion

STRAWBERRIES - fights cancer; boosts memory

TOMATOES - lowers cholesterol; protects prostate

YOGURT - strengthens bones; fights ulcers; aids digestion