From the very moment you start developing, your body requires help from a variety of different nutrients. While this is down to your mother to provide before birth, the demands suddenly become much more adamant once you're born. After all, it is these essential nutrients that help you to develop and grow. This guide will take you through the four main life stages, explaining what areas of nutrition to focus on for each. This will help you to understand when supplements or changes in diet might be necessary.

Babies (6 months to 5 years)

Your first few years of life are vital for growth and development. With this in mind, there needs to be an extra focus on vitamins that support this. The government recommends that babies between 6 months and 5 years should be given multivitamin supplements containing vitamins A, C and D every day. There are many reasons as to why this is the case, with the main ones being:

Vitamin A aids healthy bone and teeth growth (EFSA, 2009)
Vitamin C helps to support the body's vitality (EFSA, 2010)
Vitamin D contributes to the normal function of the immune system (EFSA, 2015)

Children

As you grow into a child, your nutritional needs remain similar to those of a baby, but consumption becomes more difficult. Getting a child to maintain a healthy and balanced diet isn't easy, especially if they are a fussy eater that refuses to eat anything green. With this in mind, it's worth considering gummy multivitamins that look and taste like sweets. When tailored to children, gummy multivitamins can give your child all the essential nutrients they need, without any arguments in sight!

Adolescence

As you become a teenager, the demands of education, a social life, and puberty takes its toll. For this reason, it's likely that your body will need extra support during these testing times. As a teen, other important vitamins to focus on include:

Iron (fights against tiredness - EFSA, 2010)
Calcium (helps to maintain a healthy body - EFSA, 2009)
Vitamin B12 (for the reduction of tiredness and fatigue - EFSA, 2010)

The great thing about multivitamins is that they can be tailored to the needs of a teenager. This means that you don't have to worry so much about sourcing several different nutrients.

Elderly

Did you know that, as you get older, your body struggles to absorb as much nutrients? With this in mind, it's wise to take supplements as you get older. Many supplements are tailored for the over 50's and over 70's, meaning adding one to your routine should be no bother. Most supplements tailored for the eldery work to support your joints, immune system, heart and brain. You can expect to find the likes of vitamin B6 and zinc within these supplements.

Vitamin B6 ensures the normal functioning of your organ tissues as you age (EFSA, 2010)
Zinc promotes joint health (EFSA, 2009)

No matter what stage of life you are in, your body will require nutrients of some sort. Through maintaining a balanced diet and taking supplements when necessary, you should be able to give it the support it needs!