The start of school presents many unique challenges for students. There’s lots of new information to learn, a new schedule to adjust to, and let’s not forget one of the first things kids bring home besides homework are back-to-school bugs and general immune mayhem. Here we’ve compiled the top 5 back-to-school supplements that support your child’s immune system, concentration, energy, and stress levels.

Multivitamins are a good way to make sure there are no nutritional deficiencies in your child’s diet. Vitamins and minerals are the building blocks for your child’s immune system, growth, healthy energy levels, and brain development.

Fish oil contains brain boosting omega-3 fats like EPA and DHA. Studies show that low levels of DHA are associated with poor concentration, mood, and behavioral issues.(1) Support your child’s brain with our assortment of flavored fish oil pills, gummies, and liquid swirls.

Magnesium is truly a miracle mineral and is especially important for kids going back to school. Best known for its relaxing anti-stress properties, magnesium also supports healthy bone growth, muscles, and nerve function. A recent study suggests magnesium also enhances memory and learning abilities in children.(2)

Probiotics help establish healthy gut bacteria which support our immune system and digestion. Did you also know that the gut is now being called our second brain?(3) Gut bacteria are responsible for the manufacture of certain vitamins, hormones, and neurotransmitters.(3) Choose one of our chewable or liquid multi-strain probiotics in many kid friendly flavors. 

Bacopa is an herb with some pretty amazing benefits and is a perfect back-to-school addition for students and parents alike. Studies have shown that this Ayurvedic herb is a potent stress reducer that also boosts certain neurotransmitters which help with anxiety and depression.(4) However, the biggest benefit of bacopa maybe for ADHD symptoms. In a recent 12 week study children who took just 50 mg twice daily showed significant improvements in mental control, logical memory and learning ability.(5) Amazingly, these benefits lasted months after stopping the supplement.

Give your child their best chance this year with these targeted supplements for health, energy, and memory. Here’s to a happy and healthy school year.

References:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23826114
2. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100127121524.htm
3. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/gut-feelings-the-second-brain-in-our-gastrointestinal-systems-excerpt/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12046860
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2915594/

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By Bryan Bradford, Chief Nutrition Officer of Sunflower Shoppe Natural Foods

September 2nd, 2016

School is back in full swing and those with school-age children know it can lead to a lot of STRESS – for kids and moms alike! Trying to keep a healthy balance is easier with these 3 tools in your pocket:

1. Magnesium. Not only do adequate levels of magnesium help symptoms of stress (tight muscles, poor sleep quality, etc.), stress can actually be ones of the causes of low magnesium levels, which intensifies the stress reaction setting us up for a vicious cycle. When you’re under stress – increase your magnesium intake!

2. Probiotics. Chronic stress can suppress our immune systems leaving us vulnerable to every little bug that the kids come in contact with, especially now that they are back in school. Probiotics are an easy way to boost our immune systems and make sure that we are absorbing all the nutrients we are taking in. This assures we are in the best condition to fight off infection and viruses.

3. Omega 3s. These nutrients are essential (meaning our body does not produce them on its own), so we have to provide these nutrients through diet. When we are under stress it can cause inflammation, as well as impede our ability to focus and handle mental fatigue. It is easy to add an oil supplement to support our brain into a morning smoothie or on our salad at lunch.

Relax! We are here to help you handle all the stress a busy school year can create, for more information about these products and others ways to beat stress, come see us at the Shoppe!

The content and opinions expressed in this “Shoppe Talk” blog are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any illness or to provide medical advice. We are not medical doctors and we do not prescribe medication. If you have any questions about the relationship between nutrition and supplements, we recommend that you seek the advice of a qualified and licensed health practitioner. Our opinions are based on the literature and data from a variety of medical doctors, chiropractors, naturopathic physicians, biochemists and other professional researchers. You are encouraged to make your health care decisions based on your own research and the advice of a qualified health care professional.

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