Tried & tested vitamins to aid concentration/fatigue?

[Readthequestiondear!]

Hi

Has anyone tried vitamins that assist with concentration and fatigue for their DC, I know that it will depend on the individual DC however I just need a guide, as there are a lot out there. I thought I should have one on stand by in case my DC needs it

Thanks

[katel]

if your dc is feeling so tired that you're thinking about extra vitamins, then he or she is working too hard. Healthy diet and ease up on the work is the answer, not vitamin tablets!

[Readthequestiondear!]

Very sound advice Katel.

Fortunately my DC is not feeling tired, and would not intentionally push too hard, where my DC would suffer from adverse symptoms. I was thinking ahead for winter months, where immunity may be lowered.

Surely there is nothing wrong with giving some sort of vitamin or mineral supplement to build up/maintain ones immunity, along side a healthy diet and exercise!-

[scarlett]

My children have an omega 3 supplement which also contains vitamins...by haliborange...maybe ask at your local pharmacy/Boots if you want advice. However, I don't know if you have ever gone on an health kick yourself, but I find I feel dramatically improved in terms of energy and general feelings of well being when I eat a really good diet with less sugary stuff...5 a day... oily fish....you know the drill ! as opposed to just taking supplements.

My children do also drink herbal teas...although I know that may not be everyone's cup of tea ( so to speak ! ) nettle tea is good for the immunity..but needs mixing with a more palatable one ! My children are probably sick perhaps once a year..so something must be working !

[hermanmunster]

nettle tea - must try it!!!

Agree with Scarlett easy to have healthier diet for a few days and feel better - am sure reducing caffeine (and sugary stuff) helps too - very easy to get hooked on it!

However I have yet to see anything that really helps the immune system. Plenty of health food sellers / advisers will extract money from you to no great benefit.

My DC's never took vitamins / omega 3 etc etc unlike the majority of their class mates but were off sick from school far less - they also eat a fairly naff diet - you know the one green vegetable a month diet.

Only thing I have found that really works re avoiding getting really ill in the winter is plenty of exposure to bugs! Swine flu was interesting - must have seen loads of people with it but don't know any staff who caught it?? Presume some did!

[scarlett]

I regularly am coughed and spluttered over by my little charges...I just keep my mouth clamped shut and dab alcohol gel in my nostrils.....just call me Rudolph.

[scary mum]

We have some omega 3 capsules left in the cupboard from before I read Bad Science by Ben Goldacre. When DD has an exam coming up or she's feeling a bit dim (her words, not mine!!), she has a couple. She knows and I know, but I suppose they can't do her any harm and we've already spent the money on them!! Mine don't take any vitamins, they eat a fair amount of junk , but also lots of fruit & veg. One gets every cold going, the other two don't seem to get anything.

[fatbananas]

We eat fairly healthily in this family, perhaps don't get enough sleep, but we got swine flu (apart from DH) and were knocked out for about 3 weeks! I've got tonnes of nettle tea in the cupboard (perhaps I should be drinking it?!!) but does alcohol gel up the nostrils kill off the little beasties as they try and enter the Fatbananas atmosphere ?

[scary mum]

dab alcohol gel in my nostrils

I suppose it's better than sniffing glue Scarlett! Hope they don't breathalyse you immediately afterwards!! Vaseline around the nostrils is supposed to help in hayfever as it traps the pollen. I suppose virses are too small to do the same. I understand the best thing is to wash your hands and not touch your nose/eyes. Hard to tell small children who bite their nails, pick their noses etc. Not mine of course

[scarlett]

Don't know if it works..it just feels right ! I'm sure I read somewhere it was effective and also gargling vinegar...but I don't do that one at work. I have converted two work colleagues who also do the same...hee hee...but believe me when you have a suspected meningococcal child throw up in your face..you try anything !