Should You Choose Natural Vitamins for Children?

Infants, toddlers, preschoolers, older children, and even teenagers all require a broad range of nutrients to sustain good health. While most children are able to consume the vast majority of these nutrients in a normal healthy diet, many require supplementation. This is when natural vitamins for children can be particularly helpful.

To bridge the nutritional gap, you definitely want the best vitamins for children. Because over half of the children in the United States don’t get enough calcium, vitamin E, vitamin D, zinc, or iron, these are important nutrients to look for with any kids’ multi-vitamin.

The nutrients in formulas claiming to be natural vitamins for children should include food-based vitamins. Unlike synthetic vitamins that the body cannot recognize on a molecular level, food-based vitamins are better for your children because the nutrients can be better absorbed. In fact, they can be up to 70% better absorbed! Inexpensive supplements purchased at chain stores typically have synthetic vitamins. In the case of vitamins, you get what you pay for! So, it’s important to carefully shop for natural vitamins for children and to read the labels!

Many of the cheaper chain store brand vitamins are also loaded with high fructose corn syrup or even aspartame. You’ll be amazed when you start researching labels at your local grocery store. The majority of children’s vitamins will have either corn syrup or aspartame as their top ingredient. Not good! The best vitamins for children will use tooth-friendly xylitol as a natural sweetener.

Animal Parade from Nature’s Plus is a well-respected line of natural vitamins for children. Their formulas contain whole foods and green super-food extracts and concentrates to enable efficient vitamin and mineral absorption. Their supplements also include bio-flavonoids and botanical extracts along with naturally derived essential vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and amino acids.

Types of Supplements for Children
• Multivitamin
• Essential fatty acids (EFAs)
• Calcium, magnesium, vitamin D supplement
• Probiotics
• Antioxidants

The type of supplements you may need for your child will vary depending on their particular situation.  You will want to consider your family’s diet. Is it healthy and balanced? A diet lacking in fish, fresh vegetables, fruit, and whole grains might warrant the necessity of all of these supplements.

Obviously their overall health needs to be taken into account. Certain health conditions require certain levels of supplementation. Children who are very active in sports might also need extra nutrients. In many cases, it’s a good idea to have a variety of supplements on hand and to use them as needed.

Remember, not even the best vitamins for children can make up for a poor diet. However, when a supplement is required, it’s always a good idea to choose natural vitamins for children that deliver safe and effective nutritional supplementation.