Does Your Child Need Supplements? A Pharmacist Spills the Truth - March 2025

Supplements are a great. But could they also be beneficial for your child’s learning, memory and overall brain power?

Nazatul Amira Hamzah, Pharmacist at Primabumi Sdn Bhd

We had a chat with Nazatul Amira Hamzah, a qualified pharmacist with 10 years of experience in pharmacy practice to learn more about cognitive supplements.

Here’s a pharmacist’s take on supplements for boosting children’s brain and memory.

Q1: What are cognitive supplements, and how do they benefit children?

Cognitive supplements are vitamins, minerals, and other substances that promote brain function, including memory, concentration, and overall cognitive development.

The term ‘cognitive’ refers to the mental processes involved in knowing, learning, and understanding things.

Cognitive supplements can be beneficial to children because they support brain development, enhance attention, and potentially improve academic performance.

Q2: Are cognitive supplements safe for children to use?

When taken at the recommended doses, these cognitive supplements are generally regarded as safe for children.

However, it is critical to speak with a healthcare expert before starting any supplement to confirm its safety and suitability for your child.

Q3: What are the recommended cognitive supplements for enhancing learning and memory in children?

To support your child’s ability to learn and memorise, a cognitive supplement should contain one or a combination of the following micronutrients:

Omega-3 fatty acids

Iron

Zinc

Magnesium

Iodine

Vitamin D

B Vitamins

Q4: How do these micronutrients promote cognitive development in children?

The following summarises the role that each of these micronutrients plays in children’s cognitive development:

Micronutrient	Roles in Cognitive Development
Omega 3 fatty acids	Omega-3 fatty acids include docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). DHA forms a major structural fat in the brain and eyes. EPA is critical for attention, hyperactivity, mood, and anxiety.
Iron	Iron is required for the formation of haemoglobin, the component in red blood cells that transports oxygen to tissues. It helps to produce neurotransmitters and myelin. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that allow the nervous system to send messages between nerve cells or between nerve cells and muscles. Myelin is a fatty substance that wraps around nerve fibers, making electrical signals travel faster.
Zinc	Zinc boosts neurotransmitter function. It is required for the breakdown of DHA in the brain and melatonin. Melatonin regulates dopamine, an important neurotransmitter. Low dopamine levels are linked to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Magnesium	Magnesium promotes electrical connections in the brain that are important for learning and remembering new information.
Iodine	Iodine is essential for thyroid hormone production, which supports brain and nerve development. This occurs during pregnancy and early infancy.
Vitamin D	Vitamin D helps improve focus and brain function, protects the brain from damage, and speeds up communication between nerve cells.
B vitamins	B vitamins are essential for making neurotransmitters, which are responsible for brain signals. They help increase brain activity by enhancing energy production in brain cells.

Q5: Which foods are rich in the above micronutrients?

The following table lists common foods containing each micronutrient:

Micronutrient	Sources
Omega 3 fatty acids	Oily fish, nuts and seeds and their oils (pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, flaxseeds), olives and avocadoes.
Iron	Red meat, poultry, beans, dark green leafy vegetables and dried fruit such as raisins and apricots.
Zinc	Pumpkin and sesame seeds, beef, lamb, oysters and wheatgerm.
Magnesium	Wholegrains, nuts, seeds and leafy green vegetables .
Iodine	Packaged bread, seafood, eggs and dairy.
Vitamin D	Vitamin D is mainly produced in the skin on contact with sunlight. They are also found in fatty fish like sardines and salmon, certain types of mushrooms, and egg yolks.
B vitamins	Salmon, trout, legumes, seeds, eggs, dairy products, and leafy greens.

Q6: My child is fussy about their food. I’m afraid they may not get enough essential micronutrients on a daily basis. Is giving them cognitive supplements a good idea?

I strongly advise you to consult a healthcare professional to determine whether your child could benefit from a cognitive supplement, and, if so, which product would best suit their needs.

Another good option is a complete milk formula. Kid’s multivitamins offer a range of vitamins and minerals, but their contents vary among different products.

In addition, omega-3 fatty acids, often known as fish oil, are usually available as a stand-alone product and are not included in multivitamins.

Teaching your child to eat a balanced diet that includes a wide variety of foods will benefit them the most in the long run.

Q7: How can probiotics influence a child’s cognitive health?

Probiotics maintain your child’s gut health, a connection to brain health that is now well-established.

A healthy gut can improve their mood, behavior, and thinking skills.

Q8: How do antioxidants like Vitamin E and Vitamin C benefit children’s cognitive functions?

Antioxidants protect the brain from tissue damage caused by free radicals.

Free radicals are unstable atoms that can harm cells, causing illness and ageing.

An easy way to get more antioxidants is by eating a variety of brightly coloured fruits and vegetables.

Q9: What are the potential side effects of cognitive supplements in children?

Potential adverse effects vary with each supplement but may include gastrointestinal issues, allergic reactions, and interactions with medications that render the medication less effective or prone to toxicity.

Always consult your healthcare provider before starting your child on any supplements.

Q10: Other than supporting my child’s brain development through the use of cognitive supplements, is there any other important step I should pay attention to?

Absolutely. It’s essential to ensure your child has a balanced blood sugar (glucose) level throughout the day.

Since glucose in the blood serves as crucial fuel for the brain, you should encourage your child to consume small meals more frequently to maintain balanced energy and focus.

Sugar, whether too much or too little, impairs your child’s ability to concentrate.

Source: Nazatul Amira Hamzah, Pharmacist at Primabumi Sdn Bhd

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.

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