Memory Vitamins For Children

Memory is important for children, particularly those who are school-aged. Memory skills help children learn more efficiently, retain information and perform better on exams. Nutrition is an essential part of memory--nutrients in foods and supplements help enhance memory and focus, giving your child an advantage in the classroom. Some medical researchers believe that certain vitamins can help enhance memory.

Talk to your physician before altering your child's diet, or giving your child vitamin supplements, to improve memory skills.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is best known for its power to ward off colds and other illnesses; however, it may also help enhance memory and academic performance, according to Dr. James F. Balch and Phyllis Balch, CNC, authors of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." This vitamin has anti-stress properties, which can help reduce anxiety in the classroom. The calming effect of vitamin C may help children focus more efficiently during academic instruction and exams, allowing them to retain more of the information they have learned. This vitamin is available in supplement form, and is also available in berries, oranges, avocados, Swiss chard and spinach.

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6, also called pyridoxine, is necessary for brain function, formation of red blood cells, absorption of protein and fats and maintaining blood potassium levels, according to Balch and Balch. This vitamin may help children remember patterns, facts, mathematical equations and other information necessary for academic performance. Witamin B6 is typically included in B-complex vitamin supplements, and is also found in fish, red meat, eggs, bananas, whole grain breads and sunflower seeds.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12, or cyanocobalamin, is primarily found in meats, eggs and dairy products, although it is also available in supplement form. Although deficiencies of vitamin B12 are uncommon, elderly people and strict vegetarians may have low levels of this vitamin. This vitamin enhances the production of acetylcholine, a chemical that improves the function of neurotransmitters in the brain. Vitamin B12 may help prevent short-term memory loss and enhance your child's ability to remember mathematical formulas, according to Alice Feinstein, author of "Prevention's Healing with Vitamins."