Children have unique and specific nutritional requirements to support their physical, cognitive, and immune development. The threshold of adequate vitamin and mineral intake can vary by sex, age, environment, and mostly personally dietary routines.

Nutrient deficiency is a major factor in proper growth, cognitive function, metabolism, healthy bone structure and skin, and overall mental and physical development. It can be difficult to reach a child’s recommended intake of vitamins and minerals through diet alone. Parents and caregivers should be mindful of their children’s dietary habits to ensure they receive enough essential minerals from vegetables, fish, eggs, and other nutrient-dense foods. While deficiency of any essential vitamin can each body, the root causes of deficiencies are generally same: underfeeding or insufficient appetite, poor dietary habits, restrictive eating, socioeconomic factors, fast food overconsumption, and skipping meals are common causes. FreeYU Kids Multivitamin gummies are packed with essential vitamins and minerals to fill in nutrition gaps.

Why is Iodine Important for School-Aged Children?

Iodine has a crucial role in the early stages of children’s growth and development, from the fetal stage through to adulthood.¹ Iodine is used by thyroid glands to activate thyroid hormones. Deficiency can cause a variety of issues, from delayed development of the central nervous system to goiter. Iodine deficiency is referred to as “the world’s most significant preventable cause of brain damage and mental retardation.”²

Iodine Affects Thyroid Hormone Production

T4 and T3 are the two main thyroid hormones that regulate metabolism, energy production and normal development. The thyroid gland’s functions are optimized when it receives adequate iodine supplies from the bloodstream.

Iodine intake is particularly critical during periods of rapid growth, since the body requires more energy when cognitive and physical development is at its peak. According to the American Thyroid Association, iodine deficiency can lead to hypothyroidism, characterized by reduced energy metabolism, cognitive impairment, and growth issues in children.³

Preventing Goiter and Other Metabolic Syndromes

Goiter occurs when the thyroid gland swells due to insufficient production of thyroid hormone. This is caused by inadequate iodine intake and can make swallowing and breathing difficult. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has noted that iodine deficiency can lead to goiter, as the thyroid attempts to compensate for the lack of iodine by enlarging.⁴

Immune Function and Growth Support

Iodine plays a role in maintaining a healthy immune system. Thyroid hormones, influenced by iodine, help regulate immune responses. In addition, iodine is crucial for physical growth, including the development of bones and tissue. Iodine deficiency in children can result in stunted growth and slower physical development.

According to a study in the Journal of Endocrinological Investigation, iodine deficiency can delay bone growth and mineralization in children, potentially leading to skeletal deformities. Adolescent thyroid hormone issues caused by iodine deficiency can even affect bone maintenance in adults.⁵

With FreeYU Kids Multivitamin gummies, you can rest assured that your child is getting the vital nutrients they need for academic success, physical growth, and a well-functioning immune system. Plus, the great taste and fun emoji shapes make it easy for kids to get their daily dose of essential nutrients. Give your child the gift of balanced nutrition with FreeYU Kids—a tasty and convenient way to support their health!

REFERENCES

1- Rigutto-Farebrother, J. (2023). Optimizing Growth: The Case for Iodine. Nutrients, 15(4), 814. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15040814

2- Kapil, U. (2007). Health Consequences of Iodine Deficiency. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, 7(3), 267–272.

3- American Thyroid Association. Hypothyroidism. https://www.thyroid.org/hypothyroidism/

4- Williams, G. R., & Bassett, J. H. D. (2017). Thyroid diseases and bone health. Journal of Endocrinological Investigation, 41(1), 99–109. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-017-0753-4

5- Cleveland Clinic (2022, Aug 08). Vitamin D Deficiency. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15050-vitamin-d-vitamin-d-deficiency