Kids & Teens – Growing Minds

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Growing Minds 

We often think of foods and beverages providing support for growing bodies, but we forget that food provides crucial nutrients for brain development and memory as well! Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and choline and foods with lots of vitamins and minerals like zinc, magnesium, copper, B vitamins, and iron are all linked to improving specific mental tasks like memory and concentration¹. Being mindful (pun intended) about what our kids are eating and how it affects their cognitive function is an excellent step towards achieving both health and wellness. This type of nutrition is essential for kids and teens since their brains are in a critical developmental phase when sleep, hydration, and especially good food choices significantly impact their brain’s ability to learn new tasks². Knowing how much of an impact food has on brain health, nutrition companies have an excellent opportunity to offer kids and teens brainy solutions to help give them the cognitive boosts they’ll need.

Nutritional Needs 

Important Nutrients Include³

• Protein 
• Zinc 
• Iron 
• Choline 
• Folate 
• Iodine 
• Vitamin A 
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin B12
• Omega-3 fatty acids 

Supporting Insights 

The leading micronutrients in kids product launches with a brain or nervous system claim include⁴: 

• B vitamins 
• Vitamin D3 
• Zinc 
• Calcium 
• Iron 

We all know getting kids and teens to eat their vegetables is pretty hard, but this stat may surprise even the most nutritiously conscious parents: Only 2% of US high school students are eating enough vegetables according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), but they still need those essential nutrients to support their brain power⁵. 

Glanbia Nutritionals Solutions 

Kids Brain Performance Multivitamin Gummy 

Inspiration 

A great multivitamin will always appeal to parents and kids alike. They’re easy to take, especially in gummy form, and they provide a huge boost of essential nutrients for the day. This gummy is packed with the good stuff including choline for cognitive function benefits, Vitamin K2 for bone health, and other essential vitamins and minerals that support children’s overall health. 

Key Benefits 

• Supports increased cognitive function 
• Supports bone health 
• Excellent source of many vitamins and minerals 

Glanbia Nutritionals Ingredients

All N™ Off-the-Shelf Kid’s Multivitamin Premix: A blend that has been pre-formulated with active ingredients, ready to use as a base for new product formulations. The Kid’s Multivitamin premix is designed to deliver nutrients important to children’s health. Featuring the necessary vitamins and minerals for healthy development, in addition to the specialized active components VitaCholine^® and TruCal^® 

• VitaCholine^®: A pure source of choline. Choline provides cognitive support by helping to strengthen cell membranes, form neurotransmitters, and help nerve cells communicate with one another. Choline is necessary for normal memory development as it provides the critical component of biological membranes and agents of neurotransmission^1,2,3,4. 
• TruCal^®: A balanced milk mineral complex containing 7 minerals including calcium for bone support. TruCal's balance of minerals has been scientifically shown to help improve bone density and strength (Glanbia Nutritionals in-house study). 
• MenaQ7^®: This first-in-class, only clinically researched vitamin K2 (MK-7) binds to calcium that gets lodged along the arterial walls and shuttles it to the bone, where it is needed. Vitamin K2 plays and active role in bone health and calcium utilization. Only MenaQ7 is clinically validated and patented for cardiovascular benefits. 
• Essential Vitamins & Minerals: Vitamins A, B6, B12, and D3 and minerals calcium, zinc, and copper are essential for healthy development in early life. 

Brainiac Cheese

Inspiration 

Cheese is actually a pretty easy sell to many kids. They know what it is, they know what to expect, and they’re used to snacking on it. So why not throw some ingredients into the cheese to make it just a little more nutritious? Let’s not forget, cheese is an excellent source of protein, calcium, and comfort, but this cheese also happens to be a good source of choline and Omega-3s. Now that is a super cheese. 

Key Benefits 

• 52 g of Omega-3s per serving 
• Choline and Omega 3 are scientifically proven to support brain health and function 
• 15% Daily Value of choline 

Glanbia Nutritionals Ingredients

Colored Cheddar Cheese: A Cheddar Cheese variety with a firm body, closed texture, and a clean odor. It has a clean, mild flavor and is made from pasteurized milk. Annatato is added for color. 

Cognition Sticks 

Inspiration 

We could all use a little cognitive boost during the day, and teens are certainly no different. These stick packs are a unique format that kids and teens can enjoy putting into their preferred beverage. They’re convenient, packed with essential nutrients that help support cognitive function, and, most importantly, they can be super tasty. The All N™ Off-the-Shelf premix is also versatile for formulation, lending itself to gummies, capsules, and ready-to-mix beverages. 

Most American kids and teens don’t drink enough water, which is leaving them mildly dehydrated, according to a 2015 study Harvard University⁶. 

Key Benefits 

• Supports cognitive function 
• Convenient Format 
• Available for gummies, capsules, and ready-to-drink beverages 

Glanbia Nutritionals Ingredients

All N™ Off-the-Shelf Cognitive Premix: A blend that has been pre-formulated with active ingredients, ready to use as a base for new product formulations. This premix is designed to provide a source of commonly used scientifically supported cognitive ingredients to boost nootropic supplement formulations. Featuring the specialized active ingredient VitaCholine^®. 

• VitaCholine^®: A pure source of choline. Choline provides cognitive support by helping to strengthen cell membranes, form neurotransmitters, and help nerve cells communicate with one another. Choline is necessary for normal memory development as it provides the critical component of biological membranes and agents of neurotransmission^1,2,3,4. 
• Ginkgo Leaf Extract: Contains flavonoids and terpenoids, which are known for their antioxidant effects. Ginkgo has been repeatedly evaluated for its cognitive function and ability to reduce stress. 
• Taurine: May support the general function of the central nervous system and eyes. 
• Ginsing Root Extract: Has traditionally been used to help cognitive function in Asia for centuries, and is one of the most popular herbal medicines in the world. 
• Phospatidylserine: A fatty phospholipid that covers and protects the cells in the brain. 
• Magnesium Stearate: The importance of Mg2+ in normal cellular functioning has been well researched and shown to play an important role in cognitive performance. 

References

1. Blusztajn, JK et al. (1998) In Choline, Phospholipids, Health and Disease. Zeisel, SH and Szuhaj, BF, Eds. AOCS Press: Champaign, IL. pp 69-79. 
2. Meck, WH et al. (1989) Behav Neurosci. 103: 1234-1241. 
3. Zeisel SH. 1994. In BM Marriott, Ed. Food components to enhance performance. Washington, DC: National Academy Press. pp 381-406. 
4. Zeisel, SH (2000) J Am Coll Nutr. 19(5S):528S-531S.
1. 11 Best Foods to Boost Your Brain and Memory. Kerri-Ann Jennings, MS, RD. Sourced from Healthline.com. April 2021.
2. Teens, Your Brain Needs Real Food. US News. Sourced from health.Usnews.com. April 2021. 
3. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/brain-food-children-nutrition-2018012313168. The crucial brain foods all children need. January 2018. 
4. Mintel, product launches for kids in US since 2017. 
5. U.S. News. https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-01-26/just-2-of-us-teens-eat-recommended-amount-of-veggies, published January 26, 2021. 
6. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (2015). https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/ studyfinds-inadequate-hydration-among-u-s-children/ 
7. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (2015). https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/study-finds-inadequate-hydration-among-u-s-children/