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vitamin b12

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Uh-oh. Your child sneezing in a row could only mean one thing: the onset of a cold. A mighty cold. Or not. While every child’s illness symptoms escalate in hisher unique way, the point is that of ten, the occurrence of illnesses can either be mitigated or staved off entirely depending on their nutrition.

In other words, what your kids eat can be the solution for a whole host of child-related maladies ­ right from mood swings to constipation to the management of colds, coughs or viruses.

BUILD IMMUNITY

While protein is a beautiful immunity builder it does wonderful work to combat dis ease in your children along with bolstering their resistance and repairing general wear and tear -it is important to choose the right protein, like egg whites, lean white meats, fish, dals and quinoa.

Vitamin C is another fantastic booster of immunity and can be found in amla or kiwi or even in multivitamins, on a doctor’s prescription, of course.

Vitamin B12 is a brilliant way in munity levels can be raised in a child.

It positively influences the speed of recovery too. However, it’s important for vegetarians vegans to take note here: as B12 is found mainly in animal products, like dairy and eggs, children may need to take a B12 supplement on the recommendation of their paediatrician.

IMPROVE CONSTIPATION

Constipation is painful for children or adults for that matter. Foods with fibre can help your child. If he she is constipated, feed them raw vegetable juices, chia seeds, papaya and kiwi. And lots and lots of water: hydration is very important for a happy, smiling and fully functional digestive system.

TACKLE MOOD SWINGS

Is your child an angel one moment and a devil the next? While it’s tempting to blame your in-laws for all the character traits you don’t like, sometimes mood swings may not be part of a child’s personality, but have its roots in gluten intolerance. The best way to check would be to eliminate all sources of gluten, and see if the symptoms persist.

Having said this, no matter how much information is out there, nutrition’s role in maintaining the health of your child remains underestimated and misunderstood. Why cure when prevention is possible? Why miss school or exams or vacations if it just means smarter eating? When the remedy for so many things can be found in the plate, why take the pill?
Keep in mind that food is the most natural way to heal your child.

Not much is known about vitamin B12. People usually aren’t aware of its vital role in keeping the human body together. B12, an integral part of the B complex group of vitamins, is responsible for many things that we take for granted ­ it helps in the conversion of carbohydrates into glucose, pushes up our energy levels and keeps lethargy at bay. It is vital in regulating both the nervous and digestive systems, which implies that adequate quantities of this vitamin decrease stress, fight depression and keep the brain from shrinking.

B12 also helps shield you from heart disease by regulating your cholesterol levels and protecting you from high blood pressure and stroke. It is, in addition, crucial to the maintainence of your nails, skin and hair. It also keeps you looking young as it aids in skin cell renewal. Wait, it’s not over yet.

This vital vitamin has a role to play in your body’s metabolism and helps in producing the all-important red blood cells. And when it’s done with that, it moonlights as an anti-cancer superhero, fighting colon, breast, lung and prostate cancer. Phew! Like all things we take for granted, B12 is missed only when its levels drop. Many conditions affect the body’s ability to absorb this vitamin’, ranging from severe anaemia to the thinning of the stomach lining, to diseases that affect the small intestine (celiac disease and Crohn’s disease). Problems with the immune system like lupus or Grave’s disease and heavy drinking also interfere with the way B12 is absorbed by the body.

But all’s not lost. And even if it has, it can easily be regained. 
B12 is abundantly available in many foods like meats, eggs, milk, cheese, certain kinds of fish and liver. For those who don’t eat these, B12 supplements are widely available.

But all’s not lost. And even if it has, it can easily be regained. B12 is abundantly available in many foods like meats, eggs, milk, cheese, certain kinds of fish and liver. For those who don’t eat these, B12 supplements are widely available.

For those with severe B12 deficiency, intramuscular doses is a medically-approved way of compensating the lack of it. The best part about this vitamin though is that it is water-soluble, which means that after the necessary levels get absorbed by the body, the extra amounts are excreted naturally by your body.

But don’t self medicate. You need to check with your doctor before deciding how exactly to tackle a B12 deficiency. Sometimes it could be symptomatic of a larger problem.

If you are feeling chronically tired, get your B12 levels checked. The prescription may be as simple as eating more B12-rich foods or popping a pill.

Vitamins B12 is very important for good immunity, energy, stamina and to prevent hair-loss.