Natural Children’s Vitamins and Immunity

With over 90 cases of measles reported in the United States in just the first three months of 2014, this most recent outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease has shed new light what happens when parents do not vaccinate their children. The MMR vaccine, which is used to prevent measles, mumps, and rubella, has long been the source of debate over its safety. However, children who are not vaccinated are at risk of acquiring otherwise preventable diseases.

Regardless of what side of the vaccine debate you fall on, supporting your child’s natural ability to fight off infections is vital to their long-term health. This includes providing healthy, balanced meals that supply ample amounts of vitamins and minerals to support a properly-functioning immune system.  For those who have dietary restrictions, food allergies, aversions or any number of nutritional issues, obtaining sufficient vitamins and minerals each day from food is not always possible. In these cases, it makes sense to supplement with natural children’s vitamins.

Let’s take a look at some of the primary ways you can boost your child’s immune system:

Fruits and Veggies
Fresh fruits and vegetables are, without a doubt, the best source of vitamins and minerals. And, these nutrients are fundamental to a child’s health. Some of the best sources are berries, melons, tomatoes, broccoli, sweet potatoes, bananas, apples, carrots, and leafy greens.

Natural Children’s Vitamins
To bridge any nutritional gap, getting in the habit of offering natural vitamins for children is a good idea. Look for a brand that is naturally sweetened with Xylitol and contains a full range of the vitamins and minerals that are needed each day.

Sleep
Young bodies need lots of downtime for re-energizing and repair. Make sure your child is getting the right amount of sleep for their age.

Exercise
Daily play and exercise is an excellent way to promote a healthy immune system. Whether it’s organized sports or running around in the backyard, every activity helps.

Fluids
Children are prone to getting dehydrated. And, this can lead to a drop in the body’s natural immune function. Make sure your child get plenty of water, along with recommended amounts of milk and fruit juice in their daily diet.

From natural children’s vitamins to drinking plenty of H2O, there is a lot you can do to stave off the germs and viruses that your child is exposed to each and every day. Of course, you should talk to your pediatrician about vaccines and other ways to prevent infection to keep him or her as healthy as possible throughout these important years.

Are You Choosing the Right Vitamin D3 Supplement for Your Child?

Vitamin D is essential to your child’s good health and can be found in foods such as fatty fish, fortified milk, and orange juice. As well, the body produces vitamin D naturally when the skin is exposed to the sun. However, if your child doesn’t get ample sun exposure and happens to not consume foods that contain ample amount of the vitamin, a deficiency can occur. In these cases, a vitamin D3 supplement may be beneficial.

Vitamin D3 Recommended Daily Allowance
Child health experts do not all see eye-to-eye when it comes to what a child should be receiving each day. However, most recommended amounts range from 200 IUs per day for infants up to 2,000 for active adolescents and adults. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, infants should receive a minimum intake of 200 IU of vitamin D either in their diet or via a D3 supplement, and older children should consume 400 IUs.

The Benefits of a Vitamin D3 Supplement
Vitamin D is vital for the absorption of calcium. Without it, growing bones become brittle and prone to breaks and structural change. This essential vitamin also helps support a healthy immune system and reduces the chance of your child developing multiple sclerosis and some types of cancer.

Risks of Supplementation
It is possible to overdose on vitamin D3 because it is stored in the fat in the body. Symptoms of an overdose include nausea, vomiting, a metallic taste in the mouth, loss of appetite, headache, and fatigue.
  
To ensure that your child obtains enough, but not too much vitamin D3, it’s wise to choose a vitamin D3 supplement designed for children and not adults. Animal Parade Vitamin D3 500 IU Children’s Chewable, for example, has the right dosage of the vitamin in a bioavailable active form that supports optimal growth and long-term health.

Liquid Vitamins for Children – A Simple Solution for Kids who Don’t Like to Take Vitamins

Liquid vitamins for children can be a real lifesaver for parents who have difficulty getting their kids to take chewable vitamins on a regular basis. Whether it’s the taste or texture they don’t like, some kids can be very stubborn when it comes to taking a regular multivitamin.

The dilemma is that kids who don’t consume an adequate number of nutrients in their diet require a balanced supplement that bridges the nutritional gap. Whether it’s due to consuming a diet of fast foods and processed meals or it’s a food allergy that prevents eating certain types of food, this challenge can be overcome quite simply by using liquid vitamins for children.

Benefits of Children’s Liquid Vitamins
The digestive tracts of children can easily absorb liquid supplements. In fact, liquid vitamins for children can be absorbed more efficiently than in a capsule, chewable, or tablet. Less than 20 percent of a vitamin tablet is absorbed. When you compare this with 90 percent of a liquid vitamin, you can definitely see the advantage of providing children with their supplement in a liquid form.

Types of Liquid Vitamins for Children
Some liquid supplements can be measured out with a dropper and administered. Others are incorporated into drinks, squeeze packets, and drink mixes. The price of children’s liquid vitamins varies widely depending on the brand, quality, formula, and the form it is in. One affordable option that children like because of its great taste is Animal Parade Gold Liquid from Nature’s Plus.

Safety
While liquid vitamins are just as safe as those in other forms, it’s essential to give only the recommended dosage to avoid any possibility of vitamin toxicity. Symptoms of an overdose of liquid vitamins for children include nausea, headaches, vertigo, skin dryness, and joint pain. Like with any supplement or medication, it’s important to speak with your pediatrician before administering to your child.

Natural Children's Vitamins for Better Eyesight

While we think of poor eyesight as a problem that afflicts adults in middle age, the reality is approximately 10% of American children and teenagers wear some form of corrective lenses. Genetics certainly play a large part in whether or not a child has vision problems. However, there are certain nutrients found in natural children’s vitamins that can help prevent or delay the onset of certain eye conditions.

Vitamin A
Vitamin A is an essential nutrient required to produce rhodopsin, the receptors in the retina that allow the eye to react to light. Without enough vitamin A in the diet, it can be challenging to see in dim light. A prolonged deficiency of vitamin A can result in corneal ulcers, scarring, and eventually vision loss. A diet full of fruits and vegetables can supply ample vitamin A. For picky eaters, natural children’s vitamins can bridge the nutritional gap.

Vitamin C
Commonly found in natural vitamins for children, vitamin C has been shown to lower the risk of irreversible vision loss from macular degeneration. By getting the daily requirement each day, a child will decrease the chance of obtaining the sight-robbing disease in later years.

Vitamin E
This vitamin, commonly found in nuts, avocados, and vegetable oils, can also help prevent macular degeneration along with uveitis, a condition in which one of the layers in the eye becomes inflamed and obscures vision.

Vitamin D
Commonly associated with bone health, vitamin D is also important for maintaining good eye health. The vitamin can help inhibit tissue inflammation and the development of abnormal blood vessels that contribute to age-related macular degeneration.

All of these common nutrients are found in well-formulated natural children’s vitamins.