January 2023 - Apportal

Reconstituent nutritional supplements for children: when to take them?

Paediatricians and nutritionists agree on the importance of a varied, complete diet for children, rich in vitamins and minerals and low in sugars. Usually the daily meals are enough to meet nutrient needs and support growth, but during the change of seasons, teething or periods of increased irritability, children may lose their appetite or their immune defences may be weakened. In this case, the symptoms occur with frequent episodes of disease, pallor, sleep disturbances and tiredness.

In these situations, the vitamin intake deriving from the diet is not sufficient, and supplements formulated to fight nutritional deficiencies in children are necessary. In any case, we should remember that in all phases of growth and during adulthood, following a varied, balanced diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables is a must for guaranteeing well-being for the body and helping the immune system to fight viruses and infections.

In which situations should supplements for children be given

The nutritional supplement ApportAL® Vital contains vitamins and minerals formulated to help children’s (and adults’) bodies to restore the correct level of vitamins and minerals. Furthermore, it helps to support the immune system, restoring strength and vitality in convalescence and other particularly debilitating periods. In fact, ApportAL® Vital contains 19 nutrients, including elements strengthened with Sucrosomial® technology, an exclusive Pharmanutra S.p.A. patent, which increases tolerability, consequently improving absorption and bioavailability.

Extra advice for strengthening children’s immune system

In addition to a healthy, balanced diet, rich in fresh fruit and vegetables, it is worth taking some other precautions which, becoming part of the daily routine, can offer a fundamental support in maintaining a healthy immune system in children.

Wash your hands: it is well known that washing the hands often is a good preventive measure against infections transmitted by bacteria and viruses.
Open the windows frequently: fresh air helps to sanitise the room, preventing the build-up of germs.
Outdoor activities: even in the colder seasons, sunny days are a perfect opportunity for taking a walk and playing outdoors. The sun’s rays help to synthesise vitamin D, which is an ally for the immune response.
Sleep following a regular routine.
Cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing: following this simple rule of good manners, children can help themselves and other children, especially at nursery school when they are more exposed to viral infections.

Short guide to maintaining muscle function

Muscles are organs that control body movement and have an extremely complex structure, in both cellular and structural terms. In fact they are formed by many fascicles of muscle fibres lying parallel to each other.

The muscular system has many functions, and it is important not only for supporting movement but also for maintaining numerous vital functions active, such as blood circulation, breathing and digestion.

It is therefore indispensable to keep the whole muscular system healthy, starting from constant physical activity. The benefits of sport in fact impact both physical and mental health. You don’t have to take part in competitive sports, all you need is regular physical activity, of even moderate intensity, to help improve the well-being of the whole body and, at the same time, quality of life.

Advice for fighting muscle fatigu

When a particularly intense sports session causes pain and tenderness, this means that there is an over-production of lactic acid, triggered by the body’s need to produce more energy. To fight this unpleasant muscle pain, we must firstly restore a correct level of hydration, drinking water to restore the mineral salts lost through sweating.

But, on the contrary, muscle pain may also be caused by a prolonged period of a sedentary lifestyle, when the muscles lose tone and suffer from fatigue with any minor effort. Loss of muscle strength also affects the bone structure, leading to a range of musculoskeletal pains affecting particularly the back, lumbar and neck regions.

Here is some useful advice for fighting muscle pain and keeping the muscles healthy:

Keep active, avoiding excessive strain as well as a sedentary lifestyle
Drink plenty of water
Have a healthy diet rich in fruit and vegetables
Maintain a correct posture
Never forget the importance of stretching sessions, postural exercises or yoga

Supporting muscle function with supplements

As mentioned, a healthy diet plays a fundamental role in the well-being of both muscles and the whole body.

Particularly, recent studies have considered the beneficial effects of vitamin E, showing how it can help reduce pain and inflammation with its antioxidant properties.

Which foods are richest in vitamin E?

The ApportAL® range of nutritional supplements is also formulated to support muscle function and, in addition to vitamin E, contains:

Selenium: useful for ensuring the correct functioning of skeletal muscles and supporting the body during periods of physical and mental fatigue.

Magnesium: contributes to normal muscle function, also helping to carry calcium and potassium through the cell membranes, which are fundamental for the transmission of nerve impulses, muscle contraction and heartbeat.

Arginine: acts on muscle efficiency, maintaining the uptake of oxygen and nutrients. It therefore speeds up recovery of muscle well-being following body prolonged inactivity and sports performance.

Carnitine: it facilitates muscle tissue repair in the event of strains and oxidative stress. It also helps to fight fatigue and breathlessness, maintaining high energy levels for prolonged periods during physical activity.

Stimulating physical and mental energy with supplements

Physical and mental fatigue are a quite common condition for anyone coping with a frenetic routine that is often lacking in a balanced diet and sufficient rest. In addition, some periods of the year can accentuate the feeling of fatigue: for example, low temperatures, high humidity, change of seasons and prolonged heat.

These are some of the common symptoms that indicate physical and mental fatigue:

How to fight physical and mental fatigue

When one or more symptoms appear that indicate a considerable level of fatigue, it may be useful to take some precautions, for example paying particular attention to the diet, cutting down on caffeine, alcoholic beverages and fatty foods. Vice versa, some foods are rich in nutrients and vitamins that help to support the well-being of the nervous system.

Some foods that should never be missing are obviously green-leaf vegetables, which are rich in fibre and vitamin C. Others are less well-known, but can probably be a pleasant alternative to a coffee break mid-morning or after lunch: we’re talking about dark chocolate. Dark chocolate (minimum 70%) has beneficial properties that help the cardiovascular system and contains antioxidants that reduce the effects of oxidative stress.

Here are some foods that should never be lacking in a diet that aims to support brain health:

On the other hand, for physical well-being, of course food acts as “fuel” supplying strength and energy to the body. The best thing is to stick to the food pyramid on which the Mediterranean diet is based, complying with the recommended frequency and quantity of different types of food. Simply remember that no foods are harmful, and no dishes have slimming or fattening properties. Everything depends on a healthy balance of nutrients including proteins, legumes, cereals, dairy products, carbohydrates, fats, fruit and vegetables. Fruit and vegetables in particular must be found in every meal, helping the body to absorb the right amount of vitamins and mineral salts and to feel full.

Vitamins and nutrients that stimulate physical and mental energy

In addition to a correct diet, some vitamins and nutrients must always be assured to stimulate physical and mental energy. Specifically these are:

Arginine, which plays an essential role in the correct functioning of the muscles, ensuring that energy is spent in a balanced manner.
Carnitine plays a very important role in the production of both physical and mental energy, acting on the metabolism and improving brain functions.
Coenzyme Q10 is essential for good physical efficiency as it contributes to coping with stress.
Iron contributes to normal formation of haemoglobin and red blood cells, ensuring correct cell oxygenation.
Magnesium contributes both to normal muscle activity and the functioning of the nervous system.
Vitamin C contributes to the protection of the cells from oxidative stress and contributes to the normal functioning of the nervous system and immune system, also during and after intense physical activity.
Group B vitamins give the body a good energy boost, reducing the sensation of fatigue.
Vitamin E plays an important role in the production of energy as it supports muscle health and improves resistance to fatigue.
Selenium acts as an antioxidant and supports the immune defences, slowing ageing processes.

La gamma di integratori ApportAL® contiene una formulazione completa per sostenere il benessere fisico e mentale in ogni situazione, a partire dai periodi di stress più acuto fino alle sessioni sportive più intense.

The range of ApportAL® supplements contains a complete formulation for supporting physical and mental well-being in any situation, from acute periods of stress to intense sports and training sessions.

ApportAL® and ApportAL® Vital contain active ingredients that maintain an excellent level of physical and mental energy in the body, relieving that typical feeling of tiredness we have in stressful periods.

Image sources:
1. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/6/1296

How the immune system works

The immune system fights infections and diseases, producing what is known as an immune response. It consists of a set of tissues, chemical and physical structures, organs and cells which defend the organism, and it is therefore indispensable for combating viruses, bacteria and foreign pathogenic agents

The immune system acts by:

Recognising anything that shouldn’t be in the body
Ordering the immune cells to act where there is a problem
Attacking and eliminating foreign agents

What the immune system is composed of

All the components of the immune system are connected through the lymphatic system, located in various parts of the body and acting in synergy to defend the organism and keep it healthy.

Specifically, the immune system is composed of:

The lymphatic system, composed of a network of vessels that expel germs and dead cells and tissues from the organism through a fluid called lymph. Lymph passes through specific collection points the size of a pea, called lymph nodes. When there is an infection, the lymph nodes often react by swelling. For instance, a throat infection can cause the lymph nodes in the neck to swell.
White blood cells, also known as leukocytes. These move through the bloodstream to find and fight germs and other problems. Once they have fought and destroyed an antigen, they are usually able to remember it. If the white blood cells can remember that particular antigen, the next time it appears in the body they will fight it more quickly.
Organs, including bone marrow (which produces all the immune cells), thymus (a gland where the immune cells mature), and secondary lymphatic organs (spleen, tonsils, adenoids and Peyer’s patches)

The chemical and physical barriers of the immune system

The immune system is much more complex and widespread than we might think: organs and tissues are not enough to defend the body from external aggression, chemical and physical barriers are also needed. Let’s see what these are:

Skin: the skin forms an almost impenetrable barrier that prevents pathogens from entering and protects the body from chemical and physical attacks, while acid pH and sebum offer additional defence.
Mucosa: present in many parts of the respiratory, digestive, genital and urinary system, physically and chemically preventing pathogens from entering.
Mucus: the mucus in the respiratory system catches inhaled germs and dust particles.
Gastric juices: highly acidic, these sterilise food, killing almost all the pathogens ingested.
Tears: contain chemical and antibacterial substances that eliminate foreign bodies from the eyes.
Wax: being sticky, it catches and helps to expel any bacteria in the ear canal.
Eyelashes and nose hairs: catch and remove foreign particles from the eyes and respiratory tract.

Supplements for strengthening the immune system

The basic rules for ensuring the correct functioning of the immune system are those adopted for a healthy, active lifestyle:

A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals
Physical activity
Regular sleep
Avoiding alcohol and nicotine

If the immune system has a deficit and cannot meet the body’s needs, recourse can be made to nutritional supplements with an immunomodulating action.

ApportAL® and ApportAL® Vital are nutritional supplements containing vitamins and minerals that help to strengthen the immune defences, restoring the body’s normal physiological balance.

Image sources: