Goals ›

Growth & development

Growth, bones and nutrition in children and teenagers.

Strongest evidence: Calcium, Vitamin D and Potassium.

Supplements for growth & development

Each supplement gets the grade of its strongest growth & development benefit. Open one to see each benefit.

StrongModerateWeakNo trials
SupplementMain effects in studiesEvidenceBenefits studied
CalciumBMD +4% / -23.5pp, PTH ↓, Ca absorption ↑Strong1 of 3
Vitamin D↑25OHD ↓PTH, ↑BMD ↓resorptionStrong1 of 3
PotassiumDiuresis/K+ shifts, BP↓,K+↓Strong2 of 3
CollagenResorption ↓45%, formation ↑23%, BMD ↑6–10%, resorption ↓Strong1 of 3
IronGrowth+iron markers, +0.5–1.7 g/dLStrong1 of 3
Vitamin B9Folate status↑, Hcy↓, Anemia/toxicity↓, Hb↑Strong1 of 3
Folic AcidFolate↑, Hcy↓, Hb/iron status↑Strong1 of 3
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)DHA status growth +, vision/neurodevelopment +Strong2 of 3
ZincGrowth + zinc intake, Growth +10%Strong2 of 3
MultivitaminB-vitamin status ↑, Homocysteine ↓Strong2 of 3
Showing 10 of 68 supplements.

What growth & development covers

3 benefits that studies measure, and the supplements with the strongest evidence for each.

Growth support

Physical growth in children and adolescents: height, weight and the pace of development. It is measured against growth charts over months and years rather than in a short trial.

12 supplements, 9 strong
  1. IronStrong, 308
  2. DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)Strong, 146
  3. ZincStrong, 112
  4. IodineStrong, 67
  5. Vitamin AStrong, 65

Bone health

The strength and mineral content of bone. The standard measure is bone mineral density on a DXA scan, supported by blood markers of bone being built and broken down, and by fracture counts in long studies.

39 supplements, 8 strong
  1. CalciumStrong, 962
  2. Vitamin DStrong, 465
  3. CollagenStrong, 328
  4. Vitamin KStrong, 67
  5. PotassiumStrong, 25

Nutrition source

The substance supplying a nutrient the body needs. The claim here is about composition and about correcting a shortfall, not about an effect beyond that.

33 supplements, 15 strong
  1. PotassiumStrong, 436
  2. Vitamin B9Strong, 166
  3. Folic AcidStrong, 156
  4. MultivitaminStrong, 93
  5. Vitamin B12Strong, 93

Protocols for growth & development

What studies used, for this goal or for a group of people. Not advice: talk to a doctor first.