This apparently simple question has been hotly debated since 1988
when Gwilym Roberts, a science teacher, found that vitamin and mineral
supplements increased the visual and hands on intelligence of his
pupils. He also noticed that they became less disruptive and better able
to concentrate. These findings caused such controversy at the time,
that Dr Roberts was ultimately forced out of his profession and into
early retirement.
Dr Roberts' findings were shunned by the scientific world for around 10 years until well-known scientists from both the US and the UK replicated Dr Roberts' investigation. They found that their result were very similar to those of Dr Roberts' from several years earlier.
Eventually even Dr Roberts' harshest critic, a Professor John Garrow, conceded defeat when his own research indicated that taking vitamins and minerals during pregnancy reduced the risk of low birth weight and disorders including spina bifida.
Interestingly, but not surprisingly, Roberts' original research suggested that it was the children who ate the worst diets and who were the under achievers, who benefitted most from taking supplements. His research in fact suggested that for the lucky children who had healthy diets, supplementation was not as likely to be beneficial.
Dr Roberts' findings are just as relevant today as they were in 1988 and a recent independent study from Nutrition Communications and Manchester University, which collated the results from several other studies, highlights areas where children might need to take supplements:
Micronutrients
They found that the recommended micronutrients intakes did not appear to be met by all UK children. Their findings included:
One study they reviewed investigated vitamin and mineral supplements and concluded these made a significant contribution to overall nutrient intakes of children aged 2-17 years. Another study concluded that the children who were most in need of supplements were often the least likely to take them.
Vitamin D
There are several recent studies that suggest many children are vitamin D deficient and there has even been a resurgence of rickets, a disease where the bones become deformed, in the UK. This is not surprising since the main source of vitamin D is from the action of sunlight upon the skin and the UK is well-known for its poor weather. Further studies report daily intakes as low as 1.7 micrograms in children aged 12-15 years, while the European Recommended Daily Allowance is 5 micrograms.
So what conclusions can be drawn from this collected research? Clearly many children are getting enough vitamins and minerals from their diet alone. However with an increasing trend towards fast food, the increasing cost of healthy food options and children picking their own meals at school, a healthy diet is not a luxury all children enjoy. Many are deficient of one, or even a few, vital vitamins and minerals.
Dr Roberts' findings were shunned by the scientific world for around 10 years until well-known scientists from both the US and the UK replicated Dr Roberts' investigation. They found that their result were very similar to those of Dr Roberts' from several years earlier.
Eventually even Dr Roberts' harshest critic, a Professor John Garrow, conceded defeat when his own research indicated that taking vitamins and minerals during pregnancy reduced the risk of low birth weight and disorders including spina bifida.
Interestingly, but not surprisingly, Roberts' original research suggested that it was the children who ate the worst diets and who were the under achievers, who benefitted most from taking supplements. His research in fact suggested that for the lucky children who had healthy diets, supplementation was not as likely to be beneficial.
Dr Roberts' findings are just as relevant today as they were in 1988 and a recent independent study from Nutrition Communications and Manchester University, which collated the results from several other studies, highlights areas where children might need to take supplements:
Micronutrients
They found that the recommended micronutrients intakes did not appear to be met by all UK children. Their findings included:
- that only 58% of girls meet their recommended daily intake of iron.
- that vegetarian girls and particularly those consuming fibre-rich diets are most at risk of iron deficiency.
- that calcium, magnesium, vitamin B12, zinc, potassium and iodine deficiencies appear more commonly in children from low-income groups.
One study they reviewed investigated vitamin and mineral supplements and concluded these made a significant contribution to overall nutrient intakes of children aged 2-17 years. Another study concluded that the children who were most in need of supplements were often the least likely to take them.
Vitamin D
There are several recent studies that suggest many children are vitamin D deficient and there has even been a resurgence of rickets, a disease where the bones become deformed, in the UK. This is not surprising since the main source of vitamin D is from the action of sunlight upon the skin and the UK is well-known for its poor weather. Further studies report daily intakes as low as 1.7 micrograms in children aged 12-15 years, while the European Recommended Daily Allowance is 5 micrograms.
So what conclusions can be drawn from this collected research? Clearly many children are getting enough vitamins and minerals from their diet alone. However with an increasing trend towards fast food, the increasing cost of healthy food options and children picking their own meals at school, a healthy diet is not a luxury all children enjoy. Many are deficient of one, or even a few, vital vitamins and minerals.
For a useful article to help you choose the best multivitamins for your kids see http://www.optimalhealth4kids.co.uk/How_to_choose_the_best_multivitamins_for_children_s/1835.htm optimalhealth4kids.co.uk helping you keep your kids healthy!
