Choosing a Vitamin D Supplement to Prevent Deficiency

In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in vitamin D deficiency being reported in the United States and other countries. This deficiency can contribute to significant problems with bone strength in children. Vitamin D is essential for the absorption of calcium in our diet to build strong bones. Also referred to as rickets, vitamin D deficiency can be prevented by consuming the essential vitamin in a healthy diet and by taking a daily vitamin D supplement.

While the body can make sufficient vitamin D with just a few minutes a day of midday sun, children, who are protected by sunscreen, are often those who are deficient. Children can also obtain the vitamin D by drinking milk and orange juice that are often fortified with it. Food allergies and other dietary restrictions can also contribute to a vitamin D deficiency.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Institute of Medicine both recommend a daily intake of 400 IU per day of vitamin D during the first year of life and 600 IU for everyone over the age of one.  Other health organizations suggest even higher recommended amount up to 2,000 IU per day to prevent the painful, growth-stunting effects of rickets.

Many health experts encourage parents to give their children a vitamin D supplement as a preventative strategy even if they are getting ample sun exposure and consuming a healthy, well-balanced diet. For those children who have already acquired some level of vitamin D deficiency, a kids vitamin D supplement is almost always recommended, and typically the condition can be reversed quickly if it is diagnosed in its early stages.

Available in chewable form, a daily vitamin D supplement to children is a simple and highly effective solution for preventing a serious condition in children.

Supporting Children’s Heart Health with Kids Vitamins

While we typically think of heart health as something that adults need to focus on starting in middle-age, it’s actually important in childhood, too. And, with an increasing number of children now being diagnosed with metabolic conditions such as high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels, it’s never too soon to incorporate a healthy diet. Many dieticians and nutritionists believe that kids vitamins can be an important part of this diet – particularly for those children who have special dietary needs or who are finicky eaters.

For kids vitamins can be obtain through a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and lean meats. The most ideal foods that support healthy cardiovascular health are low in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, salt, and added sugar.

Total fat intake for children ages 4 to 18 should be no more than 35 percent with the majority of the fats coming from polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids such as fish, nuts, and vegetable oils.

Every meal of the day should contain at least one fruit or vegetable. Children’s recommended fruit intake should be approximately one to two cups per day. Vegetable intake should amount to two to three cups per day.

While grain/high fiber breads and cereal are much more heart-healthy than refined grain products. Total grain intake should be approximately seven ounces each day. As well, fat-free and low-fat dairy foods are also important. Children need approximately two to three cups of milk each day. This can be substituted with a combination of other dairy products like yogurt and cheese.

According to the American Heart Association, the estimated calories needed by children range from 900 per day for a one year old all the way to 2,200 calories for a 14-18 year old boy.

What about Kids Vitamins?
For many children, getting sufficient nutrients on a daily basis can be a struggle. Food preferences, allergies, and other dietary issues can make it particularly challenging. In many cases, adding a kids vitamin supplement to a balanced diet can help bridge the nutritional gap to support heart health. If you have a child who isn’t obtaining enough nutrients in their daily diet, it’s worth discussing this with their pediatrician. And, kids multivitamins will probably be suggested to augment what they’re currently getting in their diet.

Giving Kids Who Don’t Like Vegetables Children’s Multi-Vitamins

While adults understand the importance of eating a balanced diet with lots of vegetables, children usually don’t. This can result in meal-time battles and frustration for everyone involved. While the goal is always to encourage children to eat their vegetables, this isn’t always a simple task. Sometimes, adding children’s multi-vitamins to their diet can help bridge the nutritional gap until they are more willing to expand their dietary horizons.

Given daily, kids multi-vitamins can offer a complete range of essential vitamins and minerals to meet the nutritional needs of their growing bodies. So, what should you look for in a nutritional formula for kids? Here are some guidelines for those picky eaters in your life.

Meets the Daily Requirements
Well formulated children’s multi-vitamins will contain 100% of the daily value (DV) for vitamin D3, as well as vitamins A,C, E, B12, B6, and other B vitamins.

A Healthy Base
Understanding what the base of a nutritional formula consists of is very important. Many of the grocery store brands do not have particularly healthy bases. Instead, you will want to choose a formula that has a base of nutritious foods like spirulina, carrot, broccoli, brown rice, and spinach.

Immune-Supporting Phytonutrient Benefits
One of the key benefits of children’s multi-vitamins is that they can support a healthy immune system. With the right nutrients, children will be less susceptible to colds, flu, and other viruses. The leading formulas also contain additional ingredients to further boost immunity. Look for ingredients like mushrooms, basil, lemon, guava, and amla.

Sugar-Free
When you’re trying to improve a child’s diet, it just doesn’t make sense to give him or her a daily vitamin sweetened by high fructose corn syrup. The best option is one that is sweetened by Xylitol which is a naturally occurring compound found in berries, vegetables, and mushrooms. Xylitol has been shown to have decay-preventative properties and may actually reduce oral bacteria.

The Best Children’s Multi-Vitamins 
Animal Parade Sugar Free Multi Chewables from Nature’s Plus meet all of the above guidelines, and they also taste great! Available in cherry, orange, grape, watermelon, and assorted flavors, they are a great way to augment your child’s diet to ensure they’re getting the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development.

Can Kids Multivitamins Help Prevent Stomach Viruses?

In the early spring, norovirus and other stomach viruses seem to appear every year. Children across the country are kept home from school because of a variety of symptoms that include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain. While it’s often called the stomach flu, it is not related to influenza. Rather, it’s a virus that can be easily transmitted from person to person – often from child to child in a school or daycare setting. While Norovirus is easy to catch, there are some preventative steps you can take to minimize yours and your children’s chances of getting it. From kids multivitamins to hand sanitizer, here’s what you can do to reduce your chance of your family getting the dreaded stomach bug this year.

Step 1: A Daily Habit of Kids Multivitamins
A high quality multivitamin can help boost the immune system and maintain healthy immune function all year long – even during cold and flu season. There are a lot of vitamin supplements on the market for children, so it’s wise to look closely at labels before deciding on a brand. The best options will be those kids natural vitamins that are not loaded with artificial colors and flavors.

Step 2: Regular Hand Washing
Unfortunately, taking kids multivitamins isn't going to stave off all viruses. This is why it’s essential that you and your children get into the regular habit of hand washing with both soap and water. This is the best method of preventing the transmission of a stomach virus. This should include hand washing after using the restroom, before and after meals, after handling money, and whenever you’re in contact with germs in public facilities.

Step 3: Sanitize Your Bathroom Often 
Anti-bacterial bathroom cleaner is a prime ally during this season. Spray and wipe down the toilet and counter tops on a very regular basis to prevent transmission.