PM IQShield - Early Childhood Development page 3Ingredients for Neural, Immune, and Eye HealthColostrum: is the first milk after birth that is rich in growth and immune factors. Mammals supply their newborn with antibodies, immunocytes and humoral constituents, via breastfeeding. This "borrowed immunity" is a form of passive immunisation, protecting the newborn against environmental pathogens until it establishes its own immunity. However, when a newborn stops breastfeeding, usually at around 6 months, they lack this immune benefit. Alternative sources of colostrum may help to prolong the benefits of passive immunization for your child [1]. Colostrum is efficacious in the prophylaxis and treatment of various infectious diseases, such as diarrhoeal diseases caused by pathogens like E. coli and rotavirus [3]. Not only does colostrum contain beneficial nutrients such as antibodies, lactose and glycoproteins, colostrum contains lactoferrin. Lactoferrin is a naturally occurring immune modulator and powerful antioxidant, shown to have potent antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties [4]. Fish Oil: Omega-3 (DHA and EPA): Fish oil is a rich source of omega-3 oils, including essential DHA and EPA fatty acids, critical components of brain and eye tissue. DHA and EPA are crucial in the first few years of life as the neurological systems and functioning of the brain are developing at a rapid rate. A childhood deficiency in omega-3 can cause problems with learning, memory, vision, and behaviour. The internal actions of DHA and EPA provide a favourable environment for neuronal growth and maintenance. DHA and EPA provide internal support to neurons, have antioxidant properties, and also protect againt harmful inflammation. The brain is made of mostly fat, of which 10-20% of that fat is made up of DHA. This gives neurons a more dynamic structure and membrane fluidity, for more efficient neurotransmission [5]. The well known cardiovascular benefits of DHA and EPA also translate to positive vascular effects within the brain. The vasoactive effect of DHA and EPA increase blood flow to the brain and facilitate more glucose getting to neurons across the blood brain barrier. New research also shows that omega-3 may also be significantly beneficial to the immune system [6]. During the time where the brain is developing and learning new tasks at such an incredible rate, it is imperative that kids get enough DHA and EPA. At this most sensitive time, clinical studies have shown that DHA and EPA supplementation can have a significant impact on neural, cognitive and visual development in infants and children. A recent extensive overview analyzing all of the available studies, including randomized clinical trials and meta-analysis, concluded that supplementation with DHA and EPA during pregnancy, breastfeeding and infancy enhance neuromotor development, visual development, and mental performance [7]. Interestingly, supplementation with DHA and EPA in children with developmental disorders has shown significant improvements in reading, spelling, and behavior, comparable to those using first-line pharmaceuticals such as methylphenidate [8]. Zinc: plays an important role in immune function and the modulation of host resistance to infectious agents, reducing the risk, severity and duration of infectious diseases [9, 10]. It is common for apparently healthy, full-term, breastfed children to experience zinc deficiency. Zinc deficiency can impair the cellular mediators of innate immunity such as phagocytes and natural killer cells, preventing the generation of oxidative burst against pathogens. This is obvious in reduced maternal intake of zinc during pregnancy, which is associated with increased asthma and wheezing outcomes in children up to the age of 5 years [11]. Ensuring your child has adequate zinc is important in fighting infection. Zinc is important for basic metabolic roles in metalloenzymes and transcription factors (cell function and production). It is also an important immunoregulatory agent, growth cofactor, and cytoprotectant with anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory roles [12]. Adequate intakes of zinc have been known to ameliorate symptoms and shorten the duration of respiratory tract infections including the common cold. Zinc has been noted in reducing the incidence and improving the outcome of pneumonia, malaria, and diarrhoeal infections, especially in children [9, 13]. Zinc has also demonstrated a direct anti-viral effect [13]. Furthermore, zinc in combination with fish oil has been found to modulate T-cell (immune cell) responses [11]. The benefits of zinc on the nervous system are also well known. More specifically for children, zinc has been shown to be important for neurological development. Zinc may enhance memory, attention, and motor skills, by actively supporting neurogenesis and synaptogenesis in the developing years [14]. Iodine: Like zinc, it is common for children to experience iodine deficiency [15]. Micronutrients like iodine are required for immune system integrity and function. Iodine is an important mineral for a child’s metabolism and brain function. The immune system, as other bodily systems, relies on the body’s metabolism to assist in maintaining health. Children with even mild deficiencies of iodine are more vulnerable to develop frequent and more severe forms of common day-to-day infections, triggering an unhealthy cycle of poor nutrition and recurrent illness [10]. Iodine is also essential for brain development, as iodine deficiency may result in severe mental retardation and learning difficulties in children. Vitamins B1, B2, B12: The full genetic potential of a child for physical growth, health and mental development may be compromised due to dietary deficiencies [10], with considerable evidence showing the close relationship between cellular immunity and vitamins. Vitamins are important in maintaining and promoting cellular immunity [16]. For instance, a deficiency in vitamin B12 is known to cause a decline in CD4 (immune cell) counts and affect viral progression [13]. Large clinical trials with B group vitamins have found them to be beneficial in homocysteine-lowering therapy. Hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with cognitive impairment, depression and chronic immune-mediated disorders. Therefore it is important that children receive enough vitamin B1, B2 and B12 [17]. Supplementation with B group vitamins appears to benefit the body’s ability to generate a pathogen-specific immune response, and in particular diarrheal disease-related outcomes [18]. Correction of vitamin deficiencies has been shown to reduce symptoms and the likelihood of disease manifestation [13]. Vitamin B1, B2 and B12 are specifically included in IQShield for your child’s neural, visual and immune health. Quality for your child
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