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Author:
Nancy Dean

Every single bodily function depends on an adequate supply of vitamins and minerals in the bloodstream, including the growth process. Nutrition has a major influence on the quality and speed of cell growth, starting in the uterus and continuing into adulthood. Poor prenatal nutrition will not only retard the growth process, but may also lead to birth defects and other physical abnormalities.
The most important group of vitamins in terms of growth and development are the vitamins that make up the Vitamin B complex. The B complex is critical for normal growth in children, as well as many physical and mental bodily functions. One of the vitamins with the B complex, Vitamin B12, is especially important for normal growth in children due to its supply of cobalt. Vitamin B9, also known as folic acid, is probably the most important of the B vitamins while the child is still inside the uterus. Folic acids are known to prevent birth defects and aids in the proper creation of the child's DNA.
In order for a child to grow into a healthy body weight, the thyroid must function properly. The key mineral that aids in thyroid health and development is Zinc. Zinc deficiency is commonly seen in third world countries where diets are usually poor and the crops are grown in poor soil quality which is usually short on Zinc. Because of these factors, the percentage of retarded growth among children is unusually high. Depending on age and weight, children should be consuming between 10 and 15 mg of Zinc every day.
For a child's bones to grow and develop into normal size and hardness, the most important vitamins and minerals, calcium, phosphorous, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin A, and magnesium, must all be present in sufficient quantity within the body. These vitamins and minerals all have properties that cause them to work as partners in regards to bone structure and density. Taken individually, they will not be as effective as they are when present as a group. Since the bones are continually losing calcium, sustaining the required levels of this group of vitamins and minerals is critical to proper growth.
Anyone with children can tell you that it is not always easy to fit all these nutritional requirements into their daily diet. Kids won't always eat the healthiest foods, and won't often eat everything you put in front of them. For this reason, dietary supplements may be an easier and more effective way to ensure that your child will grow properly. However, different children have different dietary needs, so always consult with your family doctor before starting your child on a nutritional supplement program.
About the Author
Nancy Dean is a freelance author who has worked in the health care industry for several years. She frequently contributes to health and nutritional websites, including http://www.vitaminprofessor.com which is an excellent resource on vitamin information

| Article Keywords: Nutrient Basics

A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to Nutrient Basics... Diarrhoea - Drainage Of Your Nutrients Diarrhoea is passage of loose stools on a regular basis. This is mainly caused by a virus or bacteria and can be acute or chronic depending upon the days it is been troubling you. It can last for three to four days and sometimes take more than three weeks. The reasons of diarrhoea are many and at one point we have all been part of this ordeal, may be in our younger days or on later stages of our life. This can be called as the killer disease in most of the developing countries due to high rate of death among infants. Some of the common symptoms seen when you are suffering from diarrhoea are stomach pains, vomiting and feeling of uneasiness, contaminated drinking water, undercooked meals and low maintenance of hygiene which is the root cause of bacteria and many other diseases. The loss of nutrients in this manner may lead to dehydration and it can also be life-threatening. Such kind of symptoms can also be sign of more serious illnesses like dysentery, cholera and many more which can cause severe damage to your body. As children and infants are the ones who are most affected by this disease, so special care should be taken to avoid further damage. If the infants are breast fed they would be able to fight the diseases with perfection as breastfeeding is high on all the valid nutrients. If it not an infant then try avoiding the dehydration by providing essential liquid which is being lost during this process. Have good amount of liquid diet till the time your urine become light yellow in color. Have something which is good mixture of salt and sugar to keep your nutrients in check. Have food which has maintained all levels of hygiene. It can easily be treated at home and if need be you can consult your doctor which would ...