The Importance of Vitamin D to Young People

My eldest daughter has recently suffered from some frightening episodes of extreme heart palpitations.  At first she thought it could be panic attacks, but as she is not an anxious person, this seemed unlikely. The GP sent her for a barage of tests including 24 hour heart monitoring and extensive blood tests. The blood test results showed that she was extremely deficient in vitamin D and a heart arrhythmia was diagnosed.

Some recent research suggests that vitamin D deficiency is a factor in cardiovascular disease and many young adults, because of their lifestyles are becoming at risk of the deficiency and its associated health risks. Thankfully, after a strong dose of Vitamin D supplements over the course of a few months, my daughter's condition was reversed with no lasting side effects, and she is now back to full health. It was a very scary time for us all and I'm so glad that no long term damage has been done.

Her condition made me very aware of the need for the correct RDA of vitamins and minerals in our diets. I do a lot of research to make sure that my family have nutritious and well balanced meals. Being vegetarian makes me work harder to provide all the necessary food groups and we, on a whole, eat extremely well. But, after my eldest daughter's experience, I want to feel completely confident that my younger children are getting all the nutrients they need, especially when it comes to vitamin D.

Vitamin D is a nutrient that is found in fortified cereals, dairy products and milk alternatives, eggs and mushrooms (these are just the vegetarian sources). It is also made in the body through exposure to the sun, making it dubbed 'the sunshine vitamin'.

Children used to play out in the sunshine all day long when I was a child, but nowadays, children spend much more time in the home. If they do go outside, we sensibly and quite rightly slather sunblock over them to protect their skin from the harmful UV rays, but in doing so, we also prevent them from producing vitamin D in their bodies. Facial make-up now comes with its own SPF so adults are also minimising their vitamin D production by being sun safe.  It is a catch 22 situation! The British weather allows vitamin D production from April through to September, meaning during the other months when we may go sun cream free, we simply don't get enough sunlight anyway.

Vitamin D is essential for the growth of strong bones and teeth. Under 5's are the group that are at most risk of vitamin D insufficiency with the average child getting just 27% of their RDA.  This can lead to health issues including diabetes, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis and even rickets.

One way to ensure that children get the right daily dose of vitamin D is through giving them an age appropriate supplement. Multi-vitamins often contain all the necessary vitamins a child needs or you can use a specific vitamin D product according to your child's age, such as KID_D_VIT from Health Plus, which contains 400iu of vitamin D3 in each daily dose.

• Vitamin D is crucial for the proper absorption of Calcium and Potassium.
• Aids the formation of healthy bones and teeth.
• Helps to maintain proper neuro-muscular function
• Recommended by The Chief Medical Officer and The Department of Health, for all young children upwards
• It is suitable for children aged 5 and up.

At just £3.45 for a bottle of sixty tablets it is a small price to pay for peace of mind.  I've been sent a bottle to try and intend on giving them to Kezia and Freddy as part of their daily routine.

Keep Your Kids Well this Winter

During the cold winter months, our children’s immune systems need to stay strong to fight off the millions of bacteria and viruses they come into contact with at school.  


There are a number of products on the market that will help protect our children naturally.  Here are two child friendly products that will be useful, natural, kid friendly additions to the medicine cabinet this winter!

Comvita® Children’s Natural Lemon & Honey Lollipops combine the antiseptic power of bee propolis with the sweet soothing antibacterial nature of Manuka Honey UMF 10+ in a fun and enjoyable form. Lemon is added for flavour whilst zingy menthol and natural peppermint oil work hard to unblock a stuffy nose. (£4.99 for 10)

Please note: bee propolis can cause allergic reactions. If irritation or swelling of the mouth or throat occurs, discontinue use.

Available from Boots, Holland & Barrett and all good pharmacies and health food stores.  Always read the label carefully before use. For further information visit www.comvita.co.uk.

Sambucol for Kids plus Vitamin C is a great tasting high quality Black Elderberry extract to boost the immune system and fight off infectious viruses. Containing no artificial colours or flavours, the syrup is suitable for 1-12 years olds to help keep the little ones healthy during the winter. It’s also alcohol free, gluten free and non-drowsy. 

Available from Boots, Superdrug, Holland & Barrett and all good pharmacies and health stores. Visit www.Sambucol.com for further information or to buy online.

I've been sent a pack of each to try out with my children.  I love the idea that they are natural and help to boost the immune system and fight germs without resorting to using chemical based medicines which are full of artificial flavourings, colourings and sweeteners.  The natural flavours of both products are very palatable.  The lollipop idea is great.  Kids love lollies...they won't need much encouragement to eat one, and it is a bonus that is doing them good.  They have a mild menthol taste which Kizzy enjoyed.  They soothed her throat nicely!

I will be interested to see if my children manage to dodge the bug bullets this winter.  Taking the supplements will definitely not do any harm so it's definitely worth investing in a little bit of extra protection over the coming months!

B Record Plus Trial

When I was offered the opportunity to trial the new energy drink B Record Plus, I thought I was going to be sampling a bottle of fizzy pop with added caffiene that would give me wings!!  When the 10 day supply arrived I realised that this was something quite different.

The medicinal package contained 10 vials of the energy drink, one of which is to be taken every morning on an empty stomach.

B Record Plus is specially formulated with amino acids and vitamin B12, which help your body produce energy to support you both physically and mentally.

If taken for ten days it can provide a much needed energy boost for new mums, busy women, people recovering from illness or injury or stressed business people.  In fact anyone who could do with a dose of extra energy.  Results should take effect after 2-3 days.  The specific blend of micronutrients support the metabolism, helping you meet the demands of a busy life.

A survey of 1000 women showed that 75% of them kept their tiredness a secret for fear of appearing a failure.  71% admitted to feeling the stress of everyday life and motherhood.  I'm happy to tell everyone that I am exhausted much of the time, running around after my toddler and doing school runs!  I guess I'm in the minority!!  Nell McAndrew is the poster girl for B Record Plus endorsing the positive effects of this liquid food supplement.

I started taking B Record Plus following a throat infection, so I was quite low.  I have taken the full 10 day supply.

Did I feel more energetic?

This is a tricky one to answer.  Because I was recovering from an infection I don't know how tired I would have been had I not taken it.  I won't say that I felt full of life because I didn't, but I certainly didn't feel any more tired than usual.  I didn't have the debilitating fatigue that I sometimes feel first thing in the morning following being poorly, so that could well be down to the B Record Plus.  It is always tricky to quantify the effects of a food supplement.  However, knowing that I was getting micronutrients and vitamin B12 was really reassuring. 

It is good to know that it was caffeine free as it is a chemical I try to avoid.  The energy boost with B Record Plus is more sustained and not short lived like the hit you get off caffeine.

From a completely personal point of view, I really didn't like the Wild Cherry flavour which was very sweet and concentrated, which was a shame for me.  I love the idea of an energy supplement but the taste just didn't work for me.  I did persevere by knocking it back in one gulp...all in the name of the trial.  If it had been available in a different flavour I'm sure my experience would have been more pleasant...but I do stress this is down purely to my own personal taste.  (I don't even like Blackforest Gateau because of the cherry layer!!)

B Flavour Plus currently retails at £12.99 for a ten day supply.  

It is completely natural, vegetarian and suitable for ages 12 and up (perfect for teens taking exams!)

Nell McAndrew said:

“I’ve definitely felt the benefit from using B Record Plus. Unlike energy drinks, it helps build sustainable energy and all the ingredients are natural.”  

Find out more at brecordplus.com