FOLIC ACID
Folic acid (or vitamin B9) is a B group vitamin that is naturally found in leafy green vegetables (hence, in Italian the name “folic acid” comes from the noun phrase “verdure a foglia”), citrus fruits, legumes and whole grains.
After being absorbed in the intestine, it is activated by the liver, which turns it into folinic acid and either distributes to the various tissues or keeps as a reserve.
The daily needs of a newborn are estimated to be 90 µg, of a child – 150-260 µg and of an adult – 400 µg (LARN values 2012).
Folic acid plays an important role in the growth and cell reproduction, as well as in the formation of red blood cells.
It is a fundamental vitamin for the proper functioning of the nervous system and bone marrow, is involved in the processing of protein into energy and supports the production of nucleic acids.
All these properties render it as essential for the proper development of a child before and after birth.
Folic acid deficiency increases the risk of abnormal development of the child: in pregnant women it can lead to severe embryonic malformations, while in growing child the macrocytic anemia may develop further.
For this reason, the intake of folic acid is recommended both for pregnant mums as well as to infants during the first 12 months.

CALCIUM
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. 99% of it is stored in bones and teeth. The remaining 1% is found in the soft tissues, body fluids and blood.
The major sources of calcium are milk, yogurt and cheese. Dairy products account for 65% of its intake.
The daily needs of a newborn are estimated to be 260 mg, of a child – 700-1100 mg and of an adult – 1000 mg (LARN values ? 2012).
The main function of calcium is to form bone tissue. It also participates in the contraction of muscles, is involved in the transport and release of hormones and enzymes, promotes blood clotting, and plays a role in the release of neurotransmitters.
Women in the post-menopausal phase, people intolerant to lactose or the ones that cannot take dairy products are among the groups most likely to develop calcium deficiencies. In the long run this deficit leads to serious health consequences, such as reduced bone mass, increased risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures.

VITAMIN A
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is derived from two sources – preformed retinoids and provitamin A carotenoids. Retinoids, such as retina and retinoic acid, are found in animal-origin sources such as liver, kidney, eggs and dairy products. Carotenoids such as beta-carotene (which has the highest biological activity of vitamin A) are found in plants such as dark or yellow vegetables and carrots.
The daily needs of a newborn are estimated to be 450 µg RE, of a child – 400-500 µg RE and of an adult – 600-700 µg RE (LARN values ? 2012).
Vitamin A plays a vital role in the health of eyes and mucous membranes, protein synthesis and tissue development. For this reason it is indispensable for the proper development of a child.
It has also been shown that vitamin A boosts the immune system, fights the aging process and has anticarcinogenic properties.
Deficiency symptoms include night blindness, mouth sores, frequent infections, dandruff and acne.
During flu, colds and other viral or bacterial diseases the body’s stores of vitamin A tend to run out so it is advisable to increase its intake.

VITAMIN B12
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin found only in foods of animal origin, including meat, fish, shellfish, eggs, milk and cheese.
The daily needs of a newborn are estimated to be 0,6 µg, of a child – 0,9 to 1,6 µg and of an adult – 2,4 µg (LARN values ? 2012).
The functions of this vitamin are to promote the growth of red blood cells in formation, to maintain healthy nerve cells and synthesize DNA, the genetic material in all cells.
The deficiency of vitamin B12 is a cause of megaloblastic or pernicious anaemia, a disease characterized by a reduced number of mature red blood cells circulating in the blood. Other deficiency symptoms are related with the central nervous system: weakness in the arms and legs, difficulties in speaking or walking and spasms.
Although it may sound as a paradox, the high-protein diets require a greater intake of vitamin B12. In fact, the greater is the amount of vitamin ingested, the lower is the rate of absorption.

VITAMIN C
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin essential for the immune system and healthy tissues.
The man is one of the few mammals that cannot store it, so one must rely on a diet to complement it.
There is only a small reserve of it in the body, and it is found in the adrenal glands.
The best food sources of vitamin C are fruit and vegetables. If possible, such foods should be eaten raw or fresh, as this vitamin easily disappears while cooking them, exposing to air or storing for a longer time.
The daily needs of a newborn are estimated to be 35 mg, of a child – 40-65 mg and of an adult – 85-105 mg (LARN values ? 2012).
It is a vitamin known for its many properties: it facilitates the absorption of iron, stimulates the immune system, reduces the damage caused by the consumption of products containing preservatives such as nitrates and nitrites, is involved in the production of collagen, which is a substance that forms the intracellular structure of muscles, bones, cartilage and tissue, plays a role in the synthesis of several important hormones and neurotransmitters, possesses powerful antioxidants, combats the effects of toxic substances such as smoke and pollution as well as protects the skin from ultraviolet rays.
The deficiency of vitamin C results in scurvy, a disease that particularly concerns the insufficient production of collagen and intercellular cementing substance. This causes the alteration in the blood vessels with the onset of bleeding, slow wound healing, gingivitis with alterations of the dentin, gingival bleeding and osteoporosis. In children it can lead to stunted growth.

VITAMIN D
The term vitamin D refers to its different forms and two of them are fundamental to man: ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3).
Vitamin D2 is synthesized by plants, vitamin D3 – by the human skin when it is exposed to ultraviolet B rays.
The daily needs of a newborn are estimated to be 10 µg, of a child and adult – 15 µg (LARN values ? 2012).
The main function of vitamin D is to maintain normal levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood and to promote the absorption of calcium in the formation and maintenance of strong bones.
Recent research has suggested that vitamin D may also provide protection from osteoporosis, hypertension, cancer and several autoimmune diseases.
Although vitamin D can be taken with diet, much of its amount in the body is self-produced, for this reason, itcan be classified as a hormone. The main source for it are derived from fish, particularly from fish liver oil, and only small amounts are found in meat, eggs and vegetables. The formula milk and some cereals are a good dietary source of vitamin D, while breast milk turns out to be rather poor.
Thus, the integration of vitamin D in infants and children is needed to prevent the weakening of bones and skeletal deformities (infantile rickets).

VITAMIN E
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin composed of a bunch of components, the so-called tocopherols.
Foods of plant origin are rich in vitamin E, first of all seeds (and therefore the oils derived from them), which are followed by cereals, fruit and the vegetables.
The vitamin content is reduced by the process of cooking, especially frying and baking.
The daily needs of a newborn are estimated to be 4 mg a-TE, of a a child – 5-8 mg a-TE and of an adult – 13 mg a-TE (LARN values ? 2012).
Being one of the most active substances against free radicals derived from oxygen, it functions as an excellent antioxidant.
It has also been proved to be a useful substance in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and in the strengthening of the immune system, which is essential for the proper functioning of the muscles and reproductive system.
Since the digestive system requires fat to absorb vitamin E, individuals with malabsorption of fat are more likely to develop the vitamin deficiency than those without such disorders.
Premature babies with low birth weight (less than 1500 grams) may have deficiencies: the integration of vitamin E reduces the occurrence of complications, such as an increased risk of infection or damage to the retina.

VITAMIN K
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin involved in blood clotting and in the protein function to form and maintain strong bones. The daily needs of a newborn are estimated to be 10 µg, of a child – 60-95 µg and of an adult – 140-170 µg (LARN values ? 2012).
The low intake of vitamin K in the transplacental passage and its deficiency in breast milk make it essential to take this vitamin from birth. The breast-fed babies have the levels of vitamin K up to 100 times lower than those fed with infant formula, which are fortified with vitamin K around a value of 50-60 µg/l.
The administration of vitamin K at birth is particularly essential to prevent the onset of Hemorrhagic Disease of the Newborn, a pathology characterized by the appearance of bleeding which affects the central nervous system later on (it. in via di sviluppo).

ZINC
Zinc is a mineral present in all parts of the body in a quantity, except for the iron, greater than that of any other trace element. It is found in many food sources: fish, red meat, cereals, legumes, nuts, sunflower seeds and pumpkin.
The daily needs of a newborn are estimated to be 3 mg, of a child – 5-9 mg and of an adult -11 mg (RDA values ??2012).
In the human body it is found in muscles, red blood cells and white blood.
It is a mineral necessary for the proper functioning of many hormones, including sex hormones, insulin and growth hormone. It also possesses antioxidant properties, promotes the normal functioning of the prostate gland, participates in the growth and cell differentiation as well as stimulates the regeneration of tissues.
The pediatric age is undoubtedly the period of life when the integration of zinc is especially vital for the activation of growth, and physical and neurological development in infants, children and adolescents.
Zinc supplementation is necessary for the newborns’, especially premature newborns’, growth during the breastfeeding period, and indispensible to small for gestational age newborns.
In fact, zinc fights the infant mortality from pneumonia and acute diarrhea and promotes the growth.

DMF SOLUTIONS

Infant Vita products provide the essential vitamins to ensure the proper development of a child.