Tiredness, irritability and drowsiness can take their toll on children especially in some periods of the year. The main causes include: changes in routine (such as returning to school), climatic changes (the passage from hot to cold seasons) and seasonal viruses (colds, tonsillitis, gastrointestinal problems), often accompanied by a lack of appetite.

These are very common symptoms and behaviour, which should not cause excessive worry, even though it is worth remedying them as soon as possible. First of all, we have to support the immune system, ensuring that it is ready to fight any viruses and pathogens.

Vitamins and minerals that stimulate children’s immune system

The diet is the first source of vitamins and minerals, and this is why it is important for children to learn right from an early age how important it is for them to eat, as this directly affects their health. This does not mean completely eliminating sweets and the occasional tasty snack, but rather being aware that well-being begins at the table, and this will help them to grow strong and healthy.

The EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) has stated that there are at least 10 essential nutrients for normal functioning of the immune system, including six vitamins and four minerals.

• Vitamin A: useful for the health of the immune system, for the development of sight, fertility and bone growth.
  The recommended daily intake of vitamin A is approximately 0.6-0.7 mg.

• Vitamin B6: it has many functions in the body, and is involved in over 100 enzymatic reactions, playing an important role in brain development.
  For children and adolescents, the recommended average daily intake is:
  1-3 years: 0.4 mg
  4-6 years: 0.5 mg
  7-10 years: 0.7 mg
  11-14 years: 1.0 mg

• Vitamin B9: i.e., folic acid, is fundamental for synthesising proteins and DNA, as well as for forming haemoglobin, and must be part of the intake of pregnant women as this vitamin tends to protect and promote embryo development.
  The recommended dose is at least 0,4 mg (400 micrograms) a day.

• Vitamin B12: necessary for the transformation of nutrients deriving from the diet, for the production of red blood cells and the formation of bone marrow. It is also involved in the correct functioning of the nervous system.
  The recommended dose of vitamin B12 is:
  1-3 years: 0.7 mcg/day
  up to 10 years: 1.4 mcg/day
  
• Vitamin C: fundamental for children’s growth, to ensure the healthy development of skin, joints, bones and blood vessels.
  The recommended daily intake is:
  0-3 years: 35 mg
  4-6 years: 45 mg
  7-10 years: 60 mg

• Vitamin D: indispensable for children’s growth, for the absorption and deposit of calcium in the bones.
  infants: 400 Ul per day
  2-5 years: 1,000 UI per day
  over 5 years: 2,000 UI per day

• Zinc: fundamental for the development of children’s immune systems, helping them to fight infections.
  infants up to 1 year: 3 mg/day
  increases gradually up to 9-12 mg/day for adolescents and adults

• Iron: very important for correct physical and mental development. Increases resistance to stress, and is a valid ally for strengthening the immune defences and helps to increase energy levels.
  1-3 years: 7 mg
  4-8 years: 10 mg
  9-13 years:  8 mg

• Copper: reduces the risk of catching infections and problems affecting the respiratory tract, including bronchitis, laryngitis, otitis, rhinitis and allergic reactions.
  0-6 months: 200 mcg
  7 months-1 year: 220 mcg
  1-3 years: 340 mcg
  4-8 years: 440 mcg
  9-13 years: 700 mcg

• Selenium: useful for children’s growth, as it promotes tissue elasticity, and also acts as a barrier against pathogens.
  1-3 years: 20 mcg
  4-8 years: 30 mcg
  8-13 years 40 mcg

This is what should never be missing from children’s diets, to help them top up on these essential nutrients:

• Fruit and vegetables: an irreplaceable source of potassium, magnesium, folic acid, vitamins A, C, E
• Cereals: source of fibre
• Dairy products: source of calcium, group B vitamins, vitamin D
• Legumes: source of potassium, iron, calcium and phosphorus, group B vitamins
• Fish: source of group B vitamins, vitamin A and vitamin D and mineral salts including calcium, phosphorus and iodine

Supplements for children

Protecting the body is by far the most effective solution for reducing the risk of lowering the immune defences. The correct intake of vitamins and minerals is able to act as an authentic defence mechanism.

Apportal® Vital is the nutritional supplement with an immunomodulating function, formulated to provide the body with a complete charge of vitamins and minerals, able to stimulate the immune response during particularly debilitating periods.

As time passes, our body changes and, along with this, the needs to keep it strong and healthy change too. After the age of 50, particularly, the mind and body have to adapt to new nutritional and energy needs. Consequently, we may feel the need for greater support, especially in more intensive periods in which work and other commitments absorb much of our time and energy.

In all phases of life, it is recommended to ensure a varied, balanced diet assuring the body all the nutrients, vitamins and mineral salts it needs. However, after 50, it is harder to top up on energy only through the diet. In fact, the energy metabolism slows down and, at the same time, the body’s ability to absorb some micro-nutrients also changes.

It is therefore necessary, especially after the age of 50, to guarantee the correct intake of micro-nutrients for the body, particularly vitamins and minerals, in order to avoid the risk of nutritional deficiencies.

Vitamins and minerals to take after the age of 50

For the over-50s, the fundamental micro-nutrients are particularly the vitamins with antioxidant properties, which are A, C and E, vitamin B12, folic acid, vitamin B6 and magnesium. Furthermore, the correct intake of selenium, zinc and potassium should also be assured.

So what is the function of these fundamental nutrients for the well-being of our body after the age of 50? We have to make a brief digression here, explaining the differences between the functional substances for the well-being of women and of men, because the needs, as well as the nutritional deficiencies, change significantly.

Supplements and minerals for women over 50

This is the age when women go through the menopause, a physiological phase characterised by the progressive reduction of oestrogen.

To cope with this reduction in hormones responsible for many metabolic functions, women over 50 need to integrate their intake of some vitamins and mineral salts.

This is what should always be found in supplements for women over 50:

• Vitamin D: to maintain healthy bones and strengthen the immune system
• Zinc: to protect the cells from oxidative stress and support normal cognitive function
• Magnesium: useful for reducing tiredness, supporting the energy metabolism and psychological and muscle functions
• Vitamin C: fundamental for strengthening the immune system
• Iron and vitamin B12: to fight tiredness and fatigue.

And of course we should never forget the importance of a balanced diet, rich in fibre, Omega-3 and Omega-6, which help to ensure the correct functioning of the cardiovascular system.

Vitamins and minerals for men over 50

The vitamins and minerals that offer greatest benefits to men over 50 are part of the same group mentioned above, although men clearly have different needs to respond to. Here are the substances that promote general physical and mental well-being for men over 50:

• Vitamin A:  its antioxidant properties help to protect the sight and stimulate the immune system.
• Vitamin C: vitamin C also plays a decisive role for the immune system, and also supports the correct synthesis of collagen.
• Vitamin E: important for its ability to fight free radicals and maintain normal cardiac function.
• Group B vitamins: used to metabolise foods and transform them into energy, monitoring tiredness and fatigue. Furthermore, they help to prevent cardiovascular and neurological pathologies.
• Magnesium: guarantees correct muscle function, and plays a decisive role in the well-being of the cognitive function.
• Potassium: useful for maintaining normal blood pressure levels, reducing the risk of kidney stones and fighting the negative effects of sodium.
• Selenium: important for protecting the cells from oxidative stress, regularising hormonal activity, normalising thyroid function and the immune system.
• Zinc: zinc also contributes to normal cognitive function, but not only. It is functional for bone, skin and hair well-being and for maintaining normal testosterone levels in the blood.

Also in this case, the diet is an excellent ally for assuring all the nutrients that help to maintain a good level of general well-being.

It is advisable to eat fresh foods rich in proteins and complex (preferably whole) carbohydrates. On the other hand, excessive condiments, fats of animal origin and sugars should be avoided.

Furthermore, it is a good idea to drink at least 2 litres of water a day.

Nutritional supplements for the over 50s

Vitamins and minerals are therefore decisive factors for the well-being of the body after the age of 50, as they help to guarantee the full function of the body and prevent an excess of free radicals.

ApportAL® and ApportAL® Vital are nutritional supplements useful for overcoming any vitamin and mineral deficiencies after the age of 50. In fact, the five minerals contained in ApportAL® (Selenium, Iron, Zinc, Iodine and Magnesium) were developed using Sucrosomial® Technology, which makes them more easily absorbable and immediately bioavailable.