From the very moment that your body starts growing, it needs support from a wide variety of nutrients to function. Whether supporting bone strength or contributing towards the function of the immune system, these nutrients work in different ways to keep everything in good shape.
While it is true that nutrition is important throughout all stages of life, there might be times when some vitamins are needed more than others. With help from a nutritional timeline, we’ll be taking you through these needs.
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To answer the overriding question – yes, it is true that our nutritional needs differ as we age. As the demands of your body and its growth change, the amounts (and types) of vitamins you need will vary. This is why multivitamin tablets are so popular, as they target multiple nutritional needs with one quick solution.
Although age plays a role in your nutritional needs, it’s important to remember that a lot of other factors influence them, too.
The Nutritional Timeline
From babies to the elderly, let’s take a look at the evolution of nutritional needs as we age.
Babies
As a baby, it is always all systems go. This is because the body is doing everything it can to build an immune system, strengthen bones and maintain its proper functioning.
With the above in mind, the Department of Health recommends that all babies (over the age of six months) should be given a multivitamin supplement. Ideally, this supplement should focus on vitamins A, C and D, as these aren’t always easy to absorb through diet. You will also find that a lot of milk formulas will contain these vitamins.
Children
Childhood is an incredibly difficult stage for parents, particularly when it comes to ensuring their kids are getting all the vitamins they need. As fussy eating comes into play and children start to find their voice, it becomes near impossible to encourage a balanced diet!
Once again, the Department of Health advises that children should continue to take supplements containing vitamins A, C, and D. It’s also recommended to add zinc and iron into the mix to continue maintaining a healthy body and mind.
Young Adults
As your body hits puberty, it goes into growth overdrive. Not only this, but the demands of life become all the more intense, whether it be due to an increased social life or school work. Either way, the body continues to need plenty of nutrients to support its growth.
During adolescence, it’s common for both males and females to miss out on calcium, iron, zinc and vitamin D. If this is the case, looking for a multivitamin aimed at teenagers or a multivitamin that contains these vitamins will help.
Eldelry
It’s no secret that, as you get older, your body starts to slow down. This is why it becomes all the more important to focus on your nutritional needs as much as possible. The easiest way to do this is by taking multivitamins that cater to those over the age of 50 or 70. These multivitamins ensure that your joints remain in good strength and that your immune system continues to protect you.
In a lot of supplements tailored to the eldery, you can expect to find vitamin B6, zinc, iodine and iron.