The simple truth is, you are what you eat. The food a growing child eats directly impacts their behaviour and physical and psychological profile.

Though children often crave foods which are high in sugar (sweet treats) refined carbohydrates (fizzy drinks, white bread) and saturated fats (junk food), this type of diet can cause nutritional imbalances.

Poor quality diets which contain lots of these foods are low in vitamins, minerals and unsaturated (good) fats, which don’t give kids the nutrients they need for growth and energy.

The effects of nutritional imbalance include: poor brain development, difficulties concentrating and learning, low immunity, stunted growth and more. [1]

The behavioural impact? Hyperactivity followed by irritability and fatigue, caused by unstable blood sugars. Inability to focus, aggressive behaviour, impulsivity and more.

Environmental factors for nutritional imbalance

In Hong Kong, nutritional imbalances are worsened by the fact our fresh fruits and vegetables often contain insufficient vitamins and minerals due to poor soil quality and long haul food importation.

Other factors which contribute to imbalances include toxins (like pollutants, heavy metals and mould), digestive conditions, malabsorption conditions, pharmaceuticals (like overuse of antibiotics) and stress.

So it’s possible that your child is eating a high quality diet, but may still have suboptimal nutritional levels.

Symptoms of nutritional imbalance in children

Symptoms of imbalances are wide-ranging, and could vary from mild to debilitating. They may go undiagnosed, or misdiagnosed. Symptoms to take note of include:.

• Low immunity.
• Allergies and sweating.
• Hyperactivity, irritability, twitching and restlessness.
• Digestive issues.
• Fatigue.
• Poor attention span and difficulty in school.
• Eating non-food items like stones, hair or ice (also known as pica).
• Poor growth.

Common nutritional imbalances in kids

These nutrients are essential for both brain and physical growth. It’s important these imbalances are remedied so your child hits their markers for physical, emotional and mental development.

Iron

If left untreated, iron imbalance can have irreversible effects on neurotransmitters, affecting cognitive, motor and social-emotional function. [2]

In the short term, low iron levels can cause kids to look pale, be moody or tired, and feel dizzy or lightheaded. These symptoms can lead to poor performance in school. Eating ice is often a sign of suboptimal iron levels.

Magnesium

Magnesium imbalance is common in children, especially those who are inattentive, impulsive or hyperactive.

Common signs include loss of appetite, muscle tension, fatigue and upset tummies. Picky eaters are particularly at-risk, as magnesium is found in foods selective eaters might reject like brown bread, kale, spinach, fish and nuts.

Studies on neurodivergent kids with magnesium imbalances reveal that after supplementing with magnesium and B6 for 2-6 months, their issues improved dramatically. Two thirds of those with physical symptoms, like muscle tension, resolved their physical symptoms, while behaviours like inattention, aggression, hyperactivity and impulsivity normalised by 75%.

Zinc

Signs of zinc imbalance in children include poor appetite and growth and low immunity. In terms of their behaviour it can lead to emotional instability, anxiety, aggression and irritability. [3]

It can also make kids less responsive to medications and essential fatty acid supplementation.

Treating zinc imbalance can help repair your kids’ immunity while balancing behavioural issues and stimulating their appetite and growth.

Multivitamins

Nutrients like vitamins A, C, D and E, as well as B complex are essential for brain development and immunity building. During childhood years, B complex is particularly important for brain and nerve development.

Imbalances in these areas can cause a range of behavioural issues. Vitamin D imbalance can increase impulsivity, rule-breaking and aggression; vitamin C can cause fatigue and weakness; suboptimal B vitamin levels can delay mental development, causing irritability and stress and low mood.

Another side effect of imbalance is reduced antioxidant levels. This increases oxidative stress, which is a contributing factor for neurodivergence.

Essential Fatty Acids

Fat makes up 60% of your brain’s weight. These fats are mainly omega 3 and 6, the primary forms of which are EPA and DHA, the two essential fatty acids found in fish.

Imbalances of omega 3 can manifest as poor immunity and behavioural issues like aggression. Low levels of omega 3 are also common in neurodivergent kids and studies have shown that supplementation reduces hyperactivity, impulsivity and poor focus.

Omega 3 fatty acids help improve brain function and mood in kids. If your little one refuses to eat fish, supplementing with a quality fish oil is an easy alternative.

In summary

We recommend a standard supplement regime of a high quality multivitamin, omega oil and probiotic for all kids living in Hong Kong. Our practitioners have sourced the best quality supplements from around the globe, so that you don’t have to. These science-led formulas are available from our online shop, or dispensary in Central.

If you have identified signs that your child may have other nutritional imbalances, it’s best to get them checked out by a professional.

Our naturopaths are experienced in diagnosing nutritional imbalance, and can refer your child for any tests if needed. They can also recommend dietary changes or supplements to ensure that your child gets the nourishment they need to grow up healthy and strong.

If treated, nutritional imbalance doesn’t have any lasting effects and can improve behavioural problems related to their nutritional profile.

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 [1] UNICEF, Poor diets damaging children’s health, warns UNICEF, 2019.

[2] B Lozoff et al, Long-lasting neural and behavioural effects of iron deficiency in infancy, 2006.

[3] S Hagmeyer et al, Behavioural impairments in animal models for zinc deficiency, 2015.re committed to providing the purest, high-quality supplements.  Clinical grade & practitioner recommended, we’ve worked hard to source the best, so you don’t have to.  

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