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Cardiovascular health: the importance of vitamin C

When the first seasonal ailments appear, or whenever we feel weak and lacking in energy, it is always a good idea to top up on vitamin C. It is well known that vitamin C, ascorbic acid, offers many benefits for the body. Among these, research in recent years has shown that vitamin C also has positive effects on cardiovascular health, reducing the risk of heart disease.

According to a recent study by the American Heart Association, low vitamin C levels are associated to a high concentration in the body of a special protein called high sensitivity C-Reactive protein (hsCRP), a marker for inflammations and a risk factor for heart disease. With strong antioxidant powers, vitamin C raises the immune system barriers and helps the body to prevent the risk of heart attacks and general atherogenesis.

Vitamin C is also important for cardiovascular health as it plays an important role in fighting free radicals and cholesterol. But that’s not all: it helps to strengthen the blood vessel walls and prevent the coronary arteries from shrinking. And we mustn’t forget that vitamin C is also fundamental for preventing heart disease as it improves vasodilation, the ability of the arteries in the heart to widen when a greater blood flow is required.

Which foods are rich in vitamin C

Above all, fruit and vegetables are richest in vitamin C, even though this concentration can vary depending on the storage conditions, the type of cooking and degree of ripening.

In fact, vitamin C is sensitive to light, heat and oxygen, and this leads to a loss of between 30 and 50% when cooked for a long time.

The most effective methods for conserving most of the available vitamin C, especially for some vegetables, are steaming, pressure cooking, pan or oven cooking, without excessive heat.

As vitamin C is hydrosoluble (i.e., it dissolves in water), the body does not store vitamin C but eliminates it in the urine. So to have the right intake, it must be consumed regularly in the diet. The following foods must be included in the diet to ensure vitamin C intake:

Citrus fruits (lemons, oranges, grapefruit, lime, mandarins etc.)
Pineapple
Melon
Kiwi
Strawberries
Blueberries
Cherries
Lettuce (fresh)
Radicchio
Spinach
Broccoli
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Tomatoes
Peppers
Potatoes (especially new)

Supplements containing vitamin C

When a healthy, varied diet is not enough to provide the right amount of vitamin C, supplements can help to strengthen the immune system and fight both free radicals and all the diseases linked to the deficiency of this essential vitamin.

Apportal® and Apportal® Vital are nutritional supplements with an antioxidant function, formulated to ensure a complete charge of vitamins and minerals for the body, stimulating the immune response and helping the body to defend itself from heart disease.

Advice for improving concentration when studying

Maths, history, chemistry, literature or geography… Whatever the subject, sometimes the brain just doesn’t seem to want to concentrate, and the mind wanders in search of distractions. So here’s a short guide for improving concentration when studying, whenever exams and homework have to be tackled!

Factors that help to concentrate when studying

A lack of concentration is caused by various factors: for example, particularly overloaded periods can cause emotional stress, and the same can be said for the change of seasons, poor motivation and too many distractions in the space where we study. Let’s start with some basic advice on how to improve concentration when studying:

Create the right setting: whether the bedroom, the lounge or a specific room, the important thing is that it is a quiet space with no distractions, with a comfortable chair that helps maintain the correct posture, a large table with no clutter and good lighting.
Plan your study sessions: sitting at the desk and opening a book can be counter-productive. It is better to plan study sessions and concentrate on one subject at a time.
Plan your breaks: the best thing is to have a 5-minute break every half an hour of study, but everyone should plan a schedule that suits them best. Breaks are in any case essential, otherwise we may not be able to memorise what we are studying.
The blank sheet trick: keep a blank sheet of paper (or a notebook) to hand to note down everything that comes to mind while studying, in order to keep the concentration going.
Sleep at least 8-10 hours a night: children and adolescents until the age of 18 should never sleep less than 8 hours a night. Sleep affects quality of life, concentration levels and performance in the chosen sporting activity.
Avoid a sedentary lifestyle: do sport and spend time on your hobbies, as this helps to set targets and reach them, in addition to guaranteeing a better quality of life generally.
Eat healthily: the quality and quantity of food also affects concentration. Avoid high-calorie, elaborate meals and always have an abundant, energy-packed breakfast with yoghurt and cereals, fruit or whole wheat bread and jam.

Vitamins and minerals that help concentration levels

As already explained, a healthy, balanced diet has positive effects on many aspects of life. Vitamins and minerals have positive effects on many aspects of our health, including concentration, memory and learning speed.

Let’s see which foods are recommended for children who have to study every day:

Avocado: is an exotic fruit containing mono-unsaturated fats that improve cognitive efficiency.
Broccoli: a vegetable that children don’t like much but it is worth investigating a few recipes in order to introduce broccoli into the diet because, packed with group B vitamins, it offers many benefits, including cognitive efficiency.
Whole wheat cereals: in addition to being a key energy source for vital functions, whole wheat cereals help cognitive functions as they release glucose into the blood more slowly.
Dark chocolate: although children usually prefer milk chocolate, it’s worth knowing that dark chocolate is rich in flavonoids, a micro-nutrient that helps memory function.
Honey: eating preferably natural honey offers a range of benefits for human health. Various studies have shown that it can stimulate the memory and concentration, and also seems able to relieve anxiety and stress.
Blueberries: rich in fibres, antioxidants and vitamin C, blueberries can be eaten regularly as they improve concentration and short-term memory.
Walnuts: walnuts are rich in fatty acids, vitamins and minerals and, in particular, vitamin E, which helps fight the effects of free radicals.
Extra-virgin olive oil: better used raw as a condiment, it has all-round beneficial effects, but of course without overdoing it. Extra-virgin olive oil is rich in polyphenols, which improve learning and memory and combat mental fatigue.
Fish: eat fish regularly, particularly salmon, which stimulates the neurons and the memory, thanks to its abundance of Omega-3.
Tomatoes: tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a nutrient that helps short- and medium-term memory. It also has anti-inflammatory effects, helping to fight the action of free radicals.
Pumpkin seeds: better eaten unsalted, added to soups and salads, pumpkin seeds are a real help for the body, particularly for improving cognitive functions thanks to their abundance of zinc.
Eggs: eggs should always be part of a healthy, balanced Mediterranean diet, and should be eaten by children and adolescents who study constantly, as they help to preserve cognitive functions and psychological well-being.
Leaf vegetables: vegetables like lettuce, cabbage, chicory, radicchio, chard, spinach and rocket are good for the body generally, as well as for the health of the cognitive system as they are very rich in vitamins A, C, K and iron.

Supplements for improving memory and concentration

Studying takes a lot of time and energy: so it is not unusual to feel stress and mental fatigue even with a healthy diet and life style. In these cases, we can turn to nutritional supplements with formulations suitable also for children and adolescents.

ApportAL® Vital contains vitamins and minerals that help the whole body to recover form and vitality in every debilitating situation, including those involving the nervous system. With Royal jelly, it also helps to strengthen cognitive functions and concentration, at the same time enhancing the immune system.

The best vitamins for memory and good brain health

Tiredness is not only a symptom of physical fatigue but can also affect the mind. In some periods, when commitments, tension and stress come hand in hand, we may receive some signals, such as difficulty in concentrating, drowsiness, memory loss.

Let’s see how to take care of the brain not only during periods of mental fatigue but also every day.

Which vitamins are useful for good brain health

Group B vitamins are precious allies for the mind: in fact, they help to recover energy from food and are fundamental for the health of the nervous system.

There are 8 Group B vitamins, and each one is essential for the production of neurotransmitters, increasing energy levels and helping us to cope with periods of high stress and anxiety better.

Not by chance, group B vitamins are often called “happiness vitamins” or “anti-stress vitamins”.

In particular, vitamins B6, B12 and B9 play a crucial role in good brain health. Studies conducted at Oxford University have demonstrated that these three vitamins work synergically to help prevent mental decline. dementia and improve brain functions.

Magnesium also has properties that contribute significantly to reducing tiredness and mental fatigue. But that’s not all: Magnesium contributes to the correct functioning of the nervous system, reducing the risk of disorders linked to the central nervous system and the onset of migraine.

Coenzyme Q10 is essential for brain health, as it charges the energy cells and helps protect them from free radicals, supporting a healthy immune system and helping to cope with stress.

Vitamin-rich foods for a healthy nervous system

As we have already seen group B vitamins, magnesium and coenzyme Q10 are fundamental for a healthy mind, fighting mental fatigue, helping the memory and preventing neurological diseases.

Group B vitamins can be found particularly in liver, egg yolk, brewer’s yeast and green-leaf vegetables, but as they are not accumulated in the body they must be introduced through food in a balanced, healthy diet.

Here are some of the foods that must be included in a diet to ensure the intake of these 3 essential vitamins for brain health:

Vitamin B9: the foods rich in vitamin B9 are:

Green-leaf vegetables, including lettuce, broccoli, spinach and asparagus
Liver
Milk
Oranges
Kiwi
Lemons

Vitamin B6: the foods rich in vitamin B6 are:

Avocado
Beef, chicken and pork
Fish, particularly tuna, salmon and shellfish
Liver
Whole wheat cereals, including oat flour, wheat flour and whole grain rice
Eggs
Milk
Cheese
Potatoes
Cauliflower
Green beans
Chick peas
Lentils
Soya beans
Almonds

Vitamin B12: the foods rich in vitamin B12 are:

Meat
Liver
Mackerel
Salmon
Eggs
Mussels
Fresh cheese
Yoghurt

Magnesium: the foods rich in magnesium are:

Bran
Dark chocolate
Nuts, including almonds, cashews, peanuts, hazelnuts and pistachios
Legumes
Sweetcorn
Whole grain rice
Artichokes
Parmigiano-Reggiano
Chicken and turkey
Courgettes
Cauliflower and broccoli
Bananas
Peppers, carrots and tomatoes
Plums and oranges
Apples and pears

Coenzyme Q10: the foods rich in coenzyme Q10 are:

Oily fish, including tuna, sardines, mackerel and salmon
Liver
Whole wheat cereals
Soy
Spinach
Wheat germ
Nuts
Vegetable oils

Healthy habits for brain health

In addition to a healthy, balanced diet rich in vitamins, a series of habits and behaviour can help to relieve mental fatigue and maintain brain health.

Improve sleep quality, sleeping at least 7 hours a night
Regular physical exercise
Limit caffeine and drink plenty of water
Limit alcoholic beverages
Avoid nicotine
Set realistic targets at work to avoid the risk of “burnout”
Make time for relaxing
Consider therapy if mental fatigue does not depend only on bad habits

Supplements for memory and good brain health

ApportAL® and ApportAL® Vital contain useful active substances for the memory and for relieving the typical feeling of tiredness we have in particularly stressful periods.

This is due to the complete formulation, a single sachet contains not only group B vitamins but also magnesium, coenzyme Q10 and other nutrients that provide energy, including iron and iodine.

How to fight physical and mental fatigue

Both physical and mental tiredness and fatigue are an alarm bell, calling on the body to stop and recover energy.

The best thing to do would be to allow the body and mind to rest, without excessive stress and commitments.

Unfortunately, this is not always possible in the short term: so we would like to offer some useful advice for fighting physical and mental fatigue, or indeed, even better, on how to prevent it.

Physical and mental fatigue: what are the symptoms

Physical and mental fatigue, also known as asthenia, is a feeling of excessive tiredness and a lack of energy, accompanied by drowsiness and muscle weakness. It can occur both as short-term episodes and on a constant basis, all day long. In both cases, all normal everyday activities require much greater physical and cognitive effort than usual.

When the body and mind are suffering from excessive fatigue, various physical and behavioural symptoms may appear. For example:

Migraine
Speeding up of the heartbeat
Dizziness
Muscle pain
Poor lucidity
Memory and reasoning problems
Tiredness even in the morning
Irritability
Anxiety
Emotional sensitivity
Lack of appetite or, on the contrary, nervous eating
Nausea
Stomach cramps
Insomnia

What are the causes of physical and mental fatigue

Stress accumulated during intense working periods, an unhealthy lifestyle, post-flu convalescence: are just some of the causes of physical and mental fatigue.

Although there is no actual rule, nor any age group that is particularly at risk, there are certainly a number of factors that together may lead to the symptoms described above. A few examples:

Insufficient sleep: it is well known that not enough sleep slows down both physical and cognitive functions.
Putting off commitments: it may seem absurd, but whenever an unpleasant commitment is postponed, it increases anxiety, which affects physical and mental health.
A sedentary lifestyle: sport helps to maintain an active, healthy lifestyle, aiding concentration and keeping the mood high.
Accumulated untidiness: this may also seem absurd, but in fact untidiness triggers the production of cortisol, increasing stress levels and tiring the brain.
An unbalanced diet: a poor intake of mineral salts and vitamins can negatively affect the energy available to the mind and body.

Remedies for fighting physical and mental fatigue

Though easier said than done, the first recommendation is to avoid an overload of commitments, managing your routine with as much calm and lucidity as you can muster.

Secondly, a few precautions can be taken to improve the general quality of life. For example, spending time doing sports or physical activity outdoors helps to improve physical and mental well-being. The same goes for hobbies enjoyed in your free time, as they help to distract the mind from stress, and can also soothe tensions.

Finally, an evergreen piece of advice is to limit the consumption of alcohol and junk food, smoke less and adopt a balanced diet. Eating healthily, including all types of essential nutrients and respecting the seasonality of fruit and vegetables is a basic assumption for fighting physical and mental fatigue. Furthermore, never forget to drink more water and limit sugared fizzy drinks as much as possible.

In more intensive periods of tiredness, however, a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle may not be enough to fill the gap of vitamins needed to provide energy to the whole body. In these cases, nutritional supplements formulated with tonic energising functions can be taken.

The ApportAL® range contains 19 nutrients to support physical and cognitive functions, including in particular:

Magnesium: magnesium is an excellent remedy against fatigue, and is also involved in a number of fundamental processes such as muscular contractions, heart beat, coagulation and blood pressure.
Vitamin B: vitamins of group B play a key role in guaranteeing the energy the body needs to perform its everyday functions, and also prevent neurological diseases.
Taurine and Ginseng (only in ApportAL®): taurine helps to reduce tiredness and make more energy available, while Ginseng helps the neurological system to improve concentration levels.
Royal Jelly (only in ApportAL® Vital): Royal jelly is a natural nutrient offering many benefits for the body, including an energising function during periods of physical and mental fatigue.

Essential vitamins for our body’s well-being

Vitamins are essential nutrients for the human body, and play a fundamental role in regulating many chemical reactions that are indispensable for life. In particular, vitamins are the vehicle for supplying energy to the body, also ensuring cell renewal.

With the only exception of vitamin D, vitamins are not synthesised by the body but must be taken in regularly through a healthy, balanced diet. Foods of plant origin are those with the most vitamins: this is why doctors and nutritionists insist on the fact that a portion of fruit and a portion of vegetables must be part of every meal.

What to eat to ensure correct vitamin intake

Fruit and vegetables, but not only: a varied, balanced diet that ensures the correct doses is important for guaranteeing a correct nutritional intake with all the essential vitamins for human well-being.

In detail, vitamins are divided into two categories:

Water-soluble vitamins: these cannot be accumulated in the body, so have to be introduced regularly through the diet. They are found in foods such as meat, milk and dairy products.
Fat-soluble vitamins: these, on the contrary, can be accumulated and are absorbed in particular by the skin and the liver. They do not have to be taken regularly, as the body stores them and then releases them when needed.

The easiest way to maintain a balanced diet is to follow the indications of the food pyramid (but in case of doubt, you should always consult a specialist).

The food pyramid is a concept that helps to understand the importance of the variety of food and the right quantity in our diet. The broadest section at the bottom shows that fruit and vegetables are the foods that can be consumed in the greatest quantities, and not by chance these carry fat-soluble vitamins.

Essential vitamins and where to find them

Vitamin A: is found in yellow and orange fruit and vegetables, green-leaf vegetables, liver and dairy products.
Group B vitamins: this is a vitamin complex with 8 vitamins, each with specific benefits. Generally, group B vitamins are found in sources of animal origin including meat, eggs, milk and cheese and fish, in addition to vegetable sources including pulses, avocado and yeast.
Vitamin C: the main sources of vitamin C are almost all fruit and vegetables, including citrus fruits, red peppers, kiwi, broccoli, tomatoes, strawberries, melon, redcurrants and Brussels sprouts.
Vitamin D: this vitamin is produced directly by our body through exposure to sunlight.
Vitamin E: it is contained in cereals, nuts and green-leaf vegetables.
Vitamin K: it is found above all in artichokes and green-leaf vegetables generally, as well as in fruit, cereals and dairy products.

Essential minerals and where to find them

The same goes for minerals: they are also essential for the well-being of the human body, and any deficiencies can cause serious health problems.

16 are considered essential, and are divided into two categories: macro-elements and micro-elements.

The first group (macro-elements) includes:

Calcium: the main sources of calcium are milk and dairy products, but it is also found in sardines, mussels and oysters.
Phosphorus: foods rich in phosphorus are those with a high protein content, including meat, fish, milk, eggs and pulses.
Magnesium: foods rich in magnesium are all green-leaf vegetables, avocado, bananas, aubergines, soy, pulses, whole wheat cereals, oats, nuts, particularly pumpkin seeds, almonds, hazelnuts and peanuts.
Sodium: an important mineral for ensuring the osmotic balance of our cells, and is found especially in kitchen salt.
Potassium: the richest food sources of potassium are fruit and vegetables, particularly celeriac, Brussels sprouts, artichokes, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, azuki beans, beetroot, tomatoes, bananas, melon.
Sulphur: is present in all protein-rich foods, from red meat to pulses, to fish, poultry, milk and, particularly, egg yolk.

The second group (micro-elements) includes:

Iron: iron sources come from both animals (liver, beef, ham, bresaola, fish, shellfish and crustaceans) and plants (Brussels sprouts, spinach, cocoa, almonds, dried figs). The first are easily absorbed.
Manganese: found in whole wheat cereals, whole grain rice and whole wheat bread, oat flour, buts, including hazelnuts and pecans, pulses, spinach, cabbage, pineapple, blueberries, clams, oysters and mussels.
Iodine: the foods that contain most iodine are fish, crustaceans, milk and eggs.
Zinc: it is found in fish and meat, cereals, pulses, nuts and pumpkin, sesame and sunflower seeds. It is also found in high percentages in yeast, milk, mushrooms, cocoa, walnuts and egg yolk.
Copper: the foods rich in this mineral include nuts, crustaceans, liver, green-leaf vegetables and dark chocolate.
Fluorine: the main food sources of fluorine are fish, shellfish, milk, meat and cheese.
Chromium: chromium is introduced into the body through meat, whole wheat cereals, some fruits, including apples, banana and oranges, and some vegetables, such as broccoli.
Selenium: foods containing the greatest amount of selenium include Brazil nuts, tuna, sardines, ham, prawns, beef, turkey, chicken and eggs.

How to integrate vitamins and minerals

Vitamin and mineral salt deficiencies can cause a range of disorders, depending on the type of deficiency. This is why an excellent supply of vitamins and minerals is indispensable for the well-being of the human body, and is the most effective solution for reducing the risk of lowering the immune defences.

Apportal® and Apportal® Vital are nutritional supplements with an immunomodulating function, formulated to integrate vitamins and minerals to stimulate the immune response during particularly debilitating periods, helping to avoid problems and diseases linked to their deficiency.

Overview of the normal functioning of the immune system

What is the immune system? This brief overview offers better understanding of how it works and, consequently, how to take care of it.

The immune system has three main functions:

To protect the body from pathogenic agents, so viruses and other external agents that are responsible for diseases.
To eliminate dead or damaged cells and tissues and old red blood cells.
To recognise and remove anomalous cells.

The immune system consists of various factors that can be defined as mechanical and chemical barriers used to defend the body from pathogenic agents. In detail, the immune system consists of:

Primary Lymphoid Organs, including white blood cells.
Secondary Lymphoid Organs, which catch the harmful materials that are then eliminated by the red blood cells.

The immune systems also includes:

The skin: the integrity of the skin represents a physical barrier that is impossible for most micro-organisms to pass through.
Sweat: the acid pH of sweat ensures effective antimicrobial action.
Lysozyme: this enzyme is found in tears, nasal secretions and saliva and is able to destroy bacteria.
Sebum: lipophilic substance produced by the oil glands in the skin, with a protective action, in synergy with the acid pH of sweat.
Mucus: substance produced by the digestive, respiratory, urinary and genital systems, which catches pathogenic agents and makes them easier to expel.
Ciliated epithelium: withholds foreign bodies, making them easier to expel in catarrh.
acid pH in the stomach: with a very low pH, this destroys micro-organisms introduced through food.
Body temperature: the normal human body temperature hinders the proliferation of some pathogenic agents.

How to understand if the immune system is debilitated

The body has many ways of warning us that our immune system is temporarily weakened and needs additional support. The most common symptoms are:

Shivers
Tiredness
Muscle pain
Cold
A mild fever
Frequent sore throat
Herpes
Intestinal problems
Dry skin
Anaemia

The first rule to follow if you think your immune system is in a poor condition is to adopt a healthier and more balanced lifestyle, and secondly, consult your GP to exclude any diseases that may require pharmacological treatment.

Supplements for the immune system

A healthy immune system is therefore fundamental in maintaining a healthy body. However, in some periods and situations, the immune system is more subject to overload. There are various causes:

Excess stress.
Common illnesses, such as a cold.
An excessive or prolonged use of drugs that especially affect the intestines, such as antibiotics.
Environmental factors such as the change of seasons, drastic reduction in temperature, humidity.
An unbalanced diet.
A sedentary lifestyle.
Not enough sleep.
Physical fatigue.

In these cases, low immune defences affect the protective functions, causing greater exposure to pathogenic agents which are potentially harmful to the body. This is why in these cases it may be worth taking nutritional supplements of vitamins and minerals.

The ApportAL® product range contains an ideal formula for helping the body to correct its immune response, improving its ability to tackle weakness, fatigue and infections.

This is thanks to its immunomodulating action, promoted by:

Vitamin D3: regulating the immune system functions and reducing inflammation.

Vitamin C: strengthening the immune system, helping the body to neutralise free radicals.

Vitamin E: supporting cell renewal and protecting the cells from oxidation.

Selenium: It is fundamental for protecting the cells from oxidative stress and the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Iron: carrying oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body, contributing to the renewal of connective tissue (including the skin).

Zinc: It plays a vital role in the development of lymphocytes and the production of antibodies.

Eleutherococcus: It is important for fighting weakness and excessive fatigue, contributing to recovering strength during convalescence.

Flu in children: how to recover energy with a reconstituent

Every year when the first cold spells appear, parents, grandparents and teachers get ready to tackle a relentless wave of flu in children, causing fever, colds, coughs, bone pain and gastrointestinal problems.

Even once they have recovered, children in any case continue to feel tired, and often have flu-like after-effects.

Rest is fundamental for ensuring full healing, recovering energy and restoring correct immune defence levels. Every year, the Italian Paediatric Society (SIP) underlines the importance of maintaining a healthy active lifestyle to help children’s bodies to develop correctly, so that they are ready to react at critical times. Furthermore, with an adequate intake of vitamins and minerals, it is possible to strengthen both the immune system and recover energy after convalescence.

If, despite having flu, forced rest doesn’t suit the child’s character, there are plenty of ideas for creative activities done at home. You’ll find some examples on the Junia Pharma blog, “Crescere Insieme” (Growing Together) (link). It is important to avoid sudden changes in temperature and exposure to the risk of new bacterial loads.

Vitamins useful for helping children to recover energy

A healthy, balanced diet, rich in fresh fruit and vegetables, is fundamental for all children, even more so when they need to recover energy after having had flu. This must include:

Vitamin A: ensures a valid support for the immune system. It is present in orange foods, including pumpkin, carrots, apricots and melons, green leaf vegetables, liver, cheeses and milk.
Vitamin B2: helps to provide the body with the correct energy intake. It is present in milk and cheeses, eggs, yeast, green leaf vegetables and liver.
Vitamin B6: useful for improving the efficiency of the immune system and is found in milk, meal, whole wheat cereals, pulses, liver and vegetables.
Vitamin B12: supports the production of red blood cells, and is also an ally for strengthening the immune system. Found in shellfish and fish generally, in chicken, egg yolk and cheeses.
Vitamin C: one of the vitamins we just can’t do without, especially in the winter, thanks to its ability to strengthen the immune system. It is present in citrus fruits, kiwi, peppers, tomatoes and green leaf vegetables.
Vitamin D: it is essential for healthy bone and skeletal growth, and is also useful for absorbing calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D is also an ally for the immune system and is found in salmon, herring, tuna, egg yolk and green leaf vegetables.

Post-flu in children: a reconstituent for recovering energy

As for adults, specific supplements are available on the market for children that can help them to recover energy after a debilitating convalescence or period of asthenia.

This is the case of the new ApportAL® Vital, the nutritional supplement ideal for everyone, designed to support the body to recover energy, restore the immune defences and get over post-flu convalescence. This is thanks to the multi-vitamin and multi-mineral formulation with 19 nutrients, containing elements enhanced by Sucrosomial® technology, which increases its tolerability, consequently improving absorption and bioavailability.

Furthermore, it contains Royal jelly, the natural remedy known for its wealth of nutrients and immunostimulant properties.

The benefits of restorative multi-vitamin supplements for children

Children’s growth follows some precise and well-defined steps, even though everyone has their own physiological rhythm. It is completely normal, and should not cause (too much) worry if a child begins to make their first sounds before another, if their progress in movements is not immediate or if their appetite is not really what you were expecting.

It is quite common that from weaning onwards, children react unenthusiastically to the introduction of more varied and solid foods. Fruit and vegetables can become the top enemy, leading to tantrums, and may make the parents worry when they are trying to feed their child a diet that can assure healthy, balanced growth.

SIP (the Italian Paediatric Society) recommends setting the rules for a balanced diet right from weaning. And it is precisely in this phase that children begin to develop food preferences, which is why it is very important to be patient if they refuse any foods, using tricks to get them used to eating food that contains the fundamental nutritional elements, carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals.

The risk of the onset of dietary deficiencies.

How do dietary deficiencies appear in children

Iron deficiency (specifically “sideropenia”) is unfortunately very frequent among food deficiency disturbances, especially in children, and must not be underestimated as it could compromise haemoglobin synthesis.

Vitamin C deficiency, on the other hand, has many symptoms, from tiredness to lack of appetite, muscle pain to low immune defences, and consequently a greater tendency to become ill.

Vitamin D deficiency affects children more frequently in the winter, with bone pains, muscle pain, sweating head and hands, tiredness, irritability and sometimes asthma symptoms.

Magnesium deficiency causes tiredness, nausea, lack of appetite, muscle weakness, stomach cramps, shaking and lack of coordination, tachycardia and insomnia.

Selenium deficiency can reduce skeletal muscle functioning and interfere with the production of red blood cells. It is usually manifested with general weakness and the alteration of skin, nail and hair pigmentation.

Zinc deficiency affects the health of the skin, hair and nails, and causes vulnerability of the immune system, delayed wound healing and reduced perception of taste and smell.

Iodine deficiency is rare, because iodine is added to table salt. But it can be manifested with a significant intolerance to the cold and dry, scaly skin.

When, despite all efforts to put balanced meals rich in vital nutrients on the table, the first signs of dietary deficiencies appear, it is probably worth making recourse to multi-vitamin or restorative nutritional supplements.

Of course, first of all, consult your paediatrician.

Here are some signs we should particularly pay attention to:

Constant food refusal
Difficulty in concentrating
Constant tiredness that does not pass after a night’s sleep
General weakness and muscle pain
Frequent colds, with a fever, sore throat, bronchitis

Restorative multi-vitamin supplements for children

The aim of restorative supplements for children is to fight tiredness and nutritional deficits, at the same time stimulating the immune system.

Apportal® Vital is the nutritional supplement ideal for children, with 19 nutrients including arginine, carnitine and Royal jelly.

The complete formulation aids the normal functioning of the immune system for a complete restorative effect, which benefits the whole body.

How important is post-training physical recovery

Physical activity plays a fundamental role in a healthy lifestyle, and the same goes for subsequent physical recovery.

But who has never had painful muscles and a general feeling of numbness after intensive sports training?

After particularly intensive training, it is normal to have numb, tired muscles: this is the way the body tells us we need to rest. You should have a break of 24/48 hours to allow the body to recover tone and energy and repair the fibres responsible for unpleasant muscle pain.

Why is post-training physical recovery so important? Because the body has to rest to remain efficient. Furthermore, muscle recovery is required to make progress at sporting level, develop muscle mass and burn excess fat.

Physical recovery starts immediately after sport and on the days between training sessions. In this phase, the body begins the process of regeneration of the structures that have been stressed by intense stimuli, and works to return to pre-training conditions.

Exaggerating with sporting activities without giving the body the time it needs to regenerate, increases the risk of injuries and suffering more frequently from muscle pain, cramps and overexertion.

Vitamins and minerals useful for muscle recovery

A healthy diet is even more important during constant sporting activities, because the body needs some nutrients that support muscle activity.

Some of these fundamental nutrients for muscle well-being are:

Zinc
Magnesium
Vitamin B6
Carnitine
Arginine

Furthermore, vitamin C and iron also help muscle recovery, reduce tiredness and fatigue, while vitamin E helps to protect the cells from the free radicals generated by the body as a reaction to intensive physical effort.

Supplements for post-training physical recovery

The charge of endorphins we get after a training session is certainly gratifying, and it almost seems that the key to bodily well-being is exactly that. However, health also needs an appropriate intake of nutrients to make recovery after sports training even more effective.

Correct training must include an adequate intake of vitamins and minerals, as this significantly affects athletic performance and productivity in everyday life.

Apportal® products are nutritional supplements that support the body in both full muscle recovery and in topping up the energy charge, in order to be ready for a new training session.

The muscle function of Apportal® is particularly promoted by:

Selenium: fundamental support for good muscle and skeletal functioning and to fight physical and mental weakness.

Zinc: improved sporting performance, thanks to its ability to repair and regenerate the tissues, as well as stimulate muscle recovery.

Magnesium: correct muscle performance, controlling muscle contractions and heart beat.

Arginine: improved muscle efficiency, promoting rapid recovery after sporting performance.

Carnitine: useful for facilitating muscle recovery and muscle tissue repair, fighting the feeling of tiredness and fatigue.