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How Supradyn works: Impact on children and adolescents’ brain development

A child’s brain is constantly developing with rapid growth during the first two years and a continuous development until late adolescence.

During this period, the brain is particularly sensitive to micronutrient deficiencies. An optimal micronutrient status beneficially affects cognitive, behavioral, and academic performance. Thus, providing children and adolescents with correct amounts of essential vitamins and minerals is crucial. Among these micronutrients, DHA and choline have especially important roles. As research indicates, they may work together to support cognitive performance. Choline is an indispensable nutrient for brain development that is deeply involved in correct learning and memory processing. Likewise, DHA is also crucial for brain development. This predominant fatty acid is responsible for maintaining the structural and functional integrity of the central nervous system, optimal learning ability and mental development, as well as visual acuity. The probable synergism of choline and DHA in the brain may include the following mechanisms: membrane fluidity, cell membrane formation, neuronal communication, reduced oxidative stress and inflammation, and neuronal communication. Among other micronutrients, vitamin B6, B12, and B3 are important for the nervous system, cognitive function, and energy metabolism in the brain. They are also associated with the development of social perception and visuospatial abilities. Micronutrient deficiency can lead to several symptoms that affect learning, development and overall quality of life, including impaired cognitive performance and memory, poor reaction times, depression, fatigue, and confusion. Supradyn micronutrient supplements support children’s neural development and visual acuity. Our vitamins for kids help to establish a normal function and maintenance of their nervous system.

Brain Icon

Key micronutrients for brain development & function

Choline Icon

Choline

  • Required for brain development (brain function and memory)9-15
  • A precursor of membrane phospholipids, which have structural and signalling functions in the brain
  • Important for acetylcholine synthesis and release. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter involved in memory storage16-20
  • Modifies histone and DNA methylation in the brain; modifies alterations in expression of genes that encode proteins important for learning and memory processing21
  • Levels of plasma choline have been reported to be related to academic achievement22
  • Choline supplementation can result in improvements in explicit memory, time to master a serial learning word test, and time to recall low imagery words23,25
DHA Icon

DHA

  • Essential for maintaining the structural and functional integrity of the central nervous system, optimal neuronal functioning (learning ability, mental development), and visual acuity27
  • The predominant structural fatty acid in the brain (accounts for 50% of neuronal weight); located in the cerebral cortex, including in membranes of synaptic communication centres and mitochondria, as well as in photoreceptors in the retina28
  • Crucial for brain development27
  • Some clinical trials found that DHA consumption improves
    • development of visual acuity29-32
    • cognitive development33- 35
    • school performance33,36
    • reading37
    • behaviour33,37

DHA and choline may work together to support cognitive performance26

Possible mechanisms of this synergism in the brain could include:26

B vitamins icon

B vitamins

Vitamin B12

  • Essential for brain development, neuronal myelination, and cognitive function42
  • Involved in axon myelination; important for impulse conduction and protecting neurons from degeneration44
  • Associated with the development of social perception and visuospatial abilities45
  • May alter the synthesis of cytokines, growth factors, and oxidative energy metabolites such as lactic acid44

Vitamin B6

  • Contributes to the function of ~100 enzymes37,38
  • Involved in neurotransmitter synthesis and metabolism: acetylcholine (indirectly), dopamine, histamine, GABA, norepinephrine, serotonin, taurine, and tyramine39- 41

Vitamin B3

  • Important for the nervous system46
  • Involved in neuronal protection by silent information regulator enzymes(sirtuins)46
Vitamin C icon

Vitamin C

Involved in the energy metabolism of the brain as well as in the synthesis of the neurotransmitters dopamine and noradrenalin.5

Potential consequences of insufficient micronutrients:

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