Synopsis: Studies present parents with some changing concepts of the roles of nutrition and health, and demonstrate the importance of optimal nutrition-using specific types of food in early childhood for building a strong foundation for lifelong health.

Seeing Green
How simple? As simple as a green organism (blue-green to be exact) that has been around for billions of years, but has only recently come into mainstream consideration as a nutrient bonanza for other Earth dwellers. Its technical name, Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (Aph. flos-aquae), may sound foreign, but you've likely heard it commonly referred to as Super Blue Green® Algae. This simple organism is truly a super food.

Although your child may love broccoli or crave spinach, the likelihood is slim that he or she is truly getting enough beta-carotene and other antioxidants as well as vitamins, minerals, and other important micronutrients. In the growing market of processed foods and sugary beverages, children are exposed to many items that simply do not support healthy systems and proper growth. Aph. flos-aquae may offer some nutritional insurance for your children.

Exploring the Greenery
Evidence is mounting that children benefit greatly from inclusion of Aph. flos-aquae in their diets. At least six research studies have demonstrated the effects on children's cognition, mood, behavior, and academic performance, as compiled by Jeffrey J. Bruno, Ph.D. in his booklet, Edible Microalgae - A Review of the Health Research, 2001. From an overview of pediatric nutrition and immune function in the Journal of Nutrition, 1996, Dr. Bruno quotes that "while nutritionally acquired immune deficiency syndromes (NAIDS) are found primarily in Third World malnourished countries . . . it is an all too common complication . . . being treated in our most modern hospital centers. Multiple, closely spaced, or severe infections are the most frequent cause of childhood malnutrition." He concludes the section with a clinical point of view that "important nutrients that support immunological functions [including] vitamin A, beta-carotene, zinc, iron, B-vitamins, amino acids (especially arginine and glutamine), polyunsaturated fatty acids and nucleotides are found abundantly in microalgae [such as Aph. flos-aquae].

More From the Great Green Garden
An authority and leader in the field of cellular and metabolic nutrition, Laura Thompson, Ph.D. in Nutrition and Human Behavior, has written a book detailing the effect of nutrition on children's health called, Our Children Are What Our Children Eat - Nutritional Solutions For Improving Behavior, Health and School Performance. She expounds on the healing properties of plants (and, specifically, Super Blue Green Algae) for ideal brain, digestive, and immune functions. As an integrative medical practitioner and family nutrition specialist, she highly recommends digestive enzymes, probiotics, and so-called "superfoods" (like Aph. flos-aquae) to supplement overall nutrition - especially the nutrition of children.

Thompson cites the benefits of superfoods and cites multiple studies that have been done on the positive effects of consuming the algae. "Millions of people have had great success increasing their energy and overall health using the highly bioavailable nutrient source of SBGA," says Thompson. She calls it a "power food" that contains "trace minerals, vitamins, enzymes, amino acids and protein, essential fatty acids, complex carbohydrates and chlorophyll and is all natural, vegetarian, USDA approved and highly assimilable."

Thompson says, "The best, most comprehensive and effective blue-green algae that I have ever found is produced by a company called Simplexity Health. It is a freshwater source, vital and alive! It is the one with which I've had the best results with kids." The company produces a complete line of vitamin, enzyme, and energy supplements incorporating Super Blue Green Algae (SBGA) and conducts independent laboratory tests on every batch of harvested algae to ensure their products are among the purest and most highly tested in the marketplace today.

Probiotics and Digestive Enzymes for Children?
Giving Simplexity Health's Bifidus to babies and Acidophilus and Bifidus to toddler age and older children provides probiotic support*. According to Barry Goldin, Ph.D., Professor of Family Medicine and Community Health at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, there have been a number of studies showing that probiotics seem to enhance the immune system.

While most healthy children have enough digestive enzymes in their bodies, Dr. Christopher Hassell, a board certified family physician in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada, has observed that ill or challenged children respond very favorably when given Simplexity Health's Enzymes in addition to Simplexity's Probiotics, Aph. flos-aquae, and some simple dietary changes.

Bringing it all Back Home
How can you improve your family's overall health? Add some or all of the following habits to your life, and experience more vibrant health:

Ten Nutritional and Healthy Lifestyle Habits for You and Your Children:

1. Drink plenty of fresh water (opt for filtered or spring water);
2. Eat a well-balanced and as close-to-nature diet as possible (avoid overly refined foods and opt instead for whole, raw, or lightly cooked foods and for organically grown produce when possible and for meats that are free from hormones and antibiotics);
3. Never skip breakfast. This is the most important meal of the day-it fuels the body and boosts metabolism; your children should learn this early to optimize their health and avoid the pitfalls of continuing the practice of skipping breakfast;
4. Eat five or six small meals throughout the day (rather than three larger meals). This optimizes nutrient assimilation, and puts less stress on the digestive tract and less weight on the body in the form of fat;
5. Get moderate amounts of daily exercise (setting an example for your children to follow throughout life);
6. Take supplements including Super Blue Green Algae to support a healthy body (it is difficult to consume enough food daily to provide sufficient amounts of absorbable critical nutrients, such as folic acid);
7. Though normal healthy children may not need digestive enzymes, there are those who benefit from them. Adults certainly benefit from supplementing with enzymes to support proper food digestion and nutrient assimilation.
8. Take probiotics (naturally occurring bacteria such as L. acidophilus and B. bifidus that foster good health by promoting the growth of 'good' bacteria);
9. Relax and de-stress (children have their own daily stresses); and,
10. Get plenty of sleep (at least seven hours a night for adults-children need more to support their growing bodies; naps are an excellent way of catching up on this overlooked essential to good health).

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.