Essential Fatty Acids: The Missing Link in Children’s Health When we think about what fuels health, we usually focus on vitamins, minerals, fiber, and the foods or supplements that supply them. Yet—especially when it comes to children’s health—one critical nutrient category is often overlooked: essential fatty acids (EFAs). In writing recently about our newly formulated Kids Mega Multi, we emphasized that all children should be on a high-quality multivitamin and a reliable source of essential fatty acids. This recommendation is rooted in decades of nutritional science—and the data are increasingly concerning. Why EFAs Matter So Much for Children Both adults and children are commonly deficient in EFAs, particularly the omega-3 fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)—two fats that are foundational for neurological, cognitive, and visual development. DHA alone makes up 30–60% of the retina, making it indispensable f…

Necessary for the function of more than 300 different enzymes, zinc is “essential for virtually all processes in the human body.” But even though Mother Nature wisely put a little zinc into most foods, it’s still easy to come up short. Known as the cold-fighting mineral, zinc is needed for every aspect of immune function. Zinc is also used in the synthesis and function of DNA and RNA, making it essential for reproduction and growth. It’s needed for neurological, eye, and heart health, and for healthy bones and glucose metabolism. Vitamin A can’t function without it. Zinc reduces inflammation and oxidative stress, supports detoxification, and plays roles in digestion, metabolism and protein synthesis. But like other minerals, zinc is significantly depleted in US soils: A carrot today may have 95% less zinc than a carrot grown sixty years ago. Phosphate fertilizers and sewage sludge used in conventional agriculture are also highly contaminated with cadmium, which competes with zin…

Our bodies convert carotene into Vitamin A.Vitamin A is a vital nutrient in maintaining healthy lungs, heart, eyes, and just about every other organ, including our bodies’ largest organ, OUR SKIN.Powerful Benefit of Beta Carotene on our skin:It stimulates cell regeneration and collagen production. It is a powerful Antioxidant, which battles the oxidative stress that breaks down collagen and elastin fibers. It can reduce fine lines and wrinkles.A Web MD article titled “Health Benefits of Beta Carotene” from September 14, 2022 says, “Research has shown that antioxidants, including beta carotene, can help maintain skin health and appearance, and may protect the skin against UV radiation from the sun.”Can be effective in treating dry skin, eczema, and psoriasisTanya Choudhary, an ISSA Certified Specialist in Fitness and Nutrition wrote an article titled “15 Best Benefits of Beta Carotene for Skin, Hair and Health”. Choudhary states that Beta Carotene can decrease sun sensitivit…