Encouraging a teenager between 13 and 17 to do anything is no easy task. Whether you are reminding them to clean up their room or do their weekly chores around the house, they always seem to put up a fight no matter what the task is. Understandingly, sometimes it just is not worth the fight, except for their health. Multivitamins have a vast array of benefits for everyone, significantly growing teens. Teenagers who regularly take multivitamins are shown to have a better diet and increased exercise. Knowing which multivitamin would be best for your teen and the difference between male and female multivitamins is also essential.
Multivitamins are best taken on an empty stomach to allow for proper absorption of the vitamin. There are so many types of vitamins now that it is easy to pick one that everyone will love, whether pills, chewable or gummies. So what works best? And what is the difference between male and female multivitamins?
Each vitamin is designed for different age ranges to give your body precisely what you need to continue growing healthy and happy into adulthood. But, of course, men and women are not the same, so the vitamins and minerals each person needs differ. There are other factors to include as well, including weight, height, and lifestyle.
Believe it or not, the biological sex of a child can make a world of difference in the teen’s vitamin needs. This is especially true as they get older and begin to mature. For example, women need less vitamin A, C, B-6, thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin than men. But, on the other hand, both men and women need adequate amounts of calcium and potassium.
Breaking It Down - Ladies First
Let us first focus on female teenagers and what their needs are. Multivitamins for teens are meant to bridge the gap of nutrients they may not be receiving from other sources, such as food.
- For females, one important focus is immune system support. For immune support, the multivitamin should include vitamins and minerals, including chelated zinc, vitamin D3, and vitamin A.
- Blood building is another essential task of the multivitamin, which is done with iron and folate, which help in the formation of red blood cells.
- Bone support is essential when it comes to growing and developing teenagers. Considering female teenagers grow one to two inches while they are developing, reaching their peak height at age 14 or 15, their bones need all the support they can get! Calcium, vitamin D3, K2, magnesium, and boron help maintain proper bone health.
- Finally, ensuring the vitamin includes omega-3 and B12 will benefit brain health. Omega-3 can also reduce the symptoms of ADHD and asthma and improve sleep quality, which is essential for any growing teenager!
Boys Will Be Boys
Teenage boys are great, but when it comes to hygiene and taking care of themselves, they tend to fall short. Therefore, multivitamins for males should have their unique blend to keep them happy and healthy during this time of maturity.
- Just like with females, men also need help in the immune support department. To promote overall health and wellness, the multivitamin should include vitamins and minerals, including chelated zinc, vitamin D3, and vitamin A.
- Men’s multivitamins should also contain the same things as women’s for ample bone health and support - calcium, vitamin D3, K2, magnesium, and boron. This is especially important for men, as men’s bone mass can be up to 50 percent more than a woman’s. Despite that, men are more likely to break a bone before age 19 than women. Calcium is also great for forming strong teeth.
- Supplements to support brain health should also be present in a men's multivitamin. For example, omega-3 and vitamin B12 help with planning, problem-solving, and focused attention.
- Normal muscle function is also a big player with growing boys. To help, look for vitamin D3 and magnesium. Recent studies have even said that these two nutrients can positively affect kids with ADHD.
When it comes down to it, only 25 percent of teenagers regularly take multivitamins. While it may be a struggle to tell and remind your teens to take their multivitamins constantly, the payoff is well worth it in the end. The development and overall health of the teenager will benefit from the multivitamin tenfold, helping them to grow into healthy, disciplined adults. Food alone can not provide all of the nutrients that a teenager’s growing body needs. It is suggested that children as young as four should take a multivitamin, but be sure to purchase a high-quality vitamin to reap the benefits. Also, be sure to look for options that are gluten-free, vegan, and contain no artificial colors. Your kids will thank you one day!
https://www.myzeo.com/health/at-what-age-should-my-child-start-taking-a-multivitamin/
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