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| Supplements for Kids |
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 Teenagers
go through some tremendous growth spurts and often, because
of likes and dislikes and peer pressure, eat nutrient poor diets.
Adolescents are perhaps more subject to peer pressure than any
other age group, and this pressure extends to their body image.
Most boys want to weigh more and virtually all girls want to
weigh less, desires which may have significant repercussions
on dietary habits.
Too
much "on the go"
Also
while teenagers usually develop voracious appetites to match
their need for extra energy, they tend to satisfy by eating
snacks 'on the run', rather than sitting down to breakfast,
lunch and supper. This leaves them open to some nutritional
deficiencies unless these meal/snacks are properly planned for.
For example, teenagers often devour fatty and sugary foods such
as crisps, chocolate, hamburgers and fizzy drinks. While hamburgers
and chips may provide protein, some vitamins and minerals, they
are generally low in vitamin A and fiber and do not contain
much vitamin C or calcium.
Teenage
Vegetarians
Many
teenagers become vegetarian out of genuine concern for animal
welfare or because they do not like the taste or texture of
meat. Depending on whether they become strict vegans or the
less restricted ovo-lacto vegetarian where eggs and milk products
are allowed, they may need supplemental vitamins and minerals
such as B12 and zinc, and perhaps other nutrients.
Supplements
can fill in the gaps
 Because
of their way of eating and their varying nutrient needs it's
important that teenagers be told how to eat right and how to
best use nutritional supplements to make up for gaps in their
eating habits and for their special needs. It's especially important
for those teenagers that are in sports or just training hard
that they have optimal dietary and nutritional supplement intake
in order to maximize their growth as well as their athletic
potential.
In this age group almost all of the nutritional supplements
used by adults would be appropriate. Especially appropriate
are a comprehensive multiple
vitamin and mineral supplement, antioxidants,
essential fatty acids,
meal replacements,
and amino
acid mixtures, and supplements to be used before, during
and after training.
Aside from the basic multiple vitamin mineral supplements, the
meal replacement powders (MRP) may be most useful. For example,
many teenagers skip breakfast. Instead of going to school without
eating anything and subsequently becoming lethargic and lacking
concentration they could be encouraged to drink down a healthy
and nutrient rich MRP shake.
The
ones to avoid
Teenagers should avoid those supplements that are formulated
to optimize hormone levels including testosterone and growth
hormone because they may interfere with the natural growth patterns.
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Dr. Di Pasquale is a licensed physician in Ontario, Canada, focusing on Nutrition and Sports Medicine, as well as a world class athlete for over twenty years... [more]
Get the FREE abridged editions of the Anabolic Solution eBooks for Powerlifters and for Bodybuilders. A natural and effective alternative to the use of powerful, and dangerous, body shaping drugs and surgery. The Anabolic Solution is The Anabolic Steroid Alternative. [more]
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Bob Sapp, aka "The Beast", uses the Metabolic Diet, Anabolic Solution and the MD+ line of supplements