Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Giving Kids Children’s Multi-Vitamins to Promote Eye Health

Vision problems affect approximately one in every 20 preschoolers and more than 25 percent of all school-age children. Ensuring your child can see properly is pivotal to their ability to learn and succeed. This includes regular eye care and understanding the vitamins and other nutrients that are essential to supporting eye health. In many cases, the addition of children’s multi-vitamins can help provide the vitamins and minerals necessary for supporting healthy vision.

Vitamin A
This essential vitamin helps convert light into nerve signals in the retina. Vitamin A deficiency is the most common cause of eye diseases and childhood blindness. Often, the first signal that there is a vitamin A deficiency is an inability to see in the dark. Carrots, fortified milk, dark green vegetables all contain ample amounts of vitamin A. As well, nearly all formulas of multi-vitamins for children also contain the daily requirement of the vitamin.

Vitamin C and E
Both of these vitamins are beneficial to supporting eye heath. Vitamin C helps to reduce eye pressure which can prevent the early onset of glaucoma. This vitamin can be consumed in citrus, berries, broccoli and peppers. Vitamin E helps the body absorb beta-carotene and other essential nutrients that are necessary for healthy vision. Obtaining sufficient amounts of these vitamins requires a healthy, balanced diet, and in some cases, the addition of children’s multi-vitamins.

Lutein
As opposed to vitamins, lutein is a carotenoid which can help prevent and improve visual disorders and support healthy eyesight. The benefit of this nutrient is that it helps absorb light in the region of the visible spectrum to protect the macula of the eye from damage by oxidative stress. Lutein is commonly found in dark leafy green vegetables and egg yolks. Both spinach and kale have high amounts of the nutrient. Of course, kids are not always excited about eating large amounts of healthy vegetables. For them, the addition of children’s multi-vitamins can make sense, especially for those who have a family history of macular degeneration.

Choosing the Right Children’s Multi-Vitamins for Vision
There are many children’s multi-vitamins on the market, and some even tout specific vision-boosting nutrients. However, it’s important to carefully look at the daily requirements of vitamin A, C and E to determine their efficacy. As well, you’ll want one that offers the additional benefits of lutein. Nature’s Plus Animal Parade Gold Multi-Children’s Chewable offers all of these nutrients, along with the benefits of enzymes, probiotics, organic whole foods, natural cherry flavor and more. When it comes to your child’s eyes, it’s wise to choose the best nutritional formula you can!

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Can You Give Your Kids Liquid Kid’s Vitamins with Vitamin C

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, greater than six percent of American children over the age of six years old are deficient in vitamin C. Obtaining sufficient vitamin C requires getting a balanced diet that contains ample fresh fruits and vegetables. While this seems simple, not all children can or want to eat balanced diets. For many, over-the-counter liquid kid’s vitamins are an alternative to ensure that vitamin C levels are being met.

Understanding Recommendations for Vitamin C
The common vitamin C recommendation for children between the ages of four and eight years old is 25 milligrams each day. For those between the ages of 9 and 13 years, the recommendation increases to 45 milligrams. Teenage boys require 65 milligrams, and adolescent girls should get 75 milligrams.

Vitamin C toxicity is possible, but not common since the upper intake levels are substantial. For most, taking liquid kid’s vitamins that contain vitamin C along with providing balanced meals is safe and healthy.

As opposed to multivitamin formulas, vitamin C supplements can often contain higher dosages than what can be tolerated, leading to side effects that include nausea, gas and diarrhea. Over time, an excess of vitamin C can lead to stomach inflammation and kidney stones. Large amounts of vitamin C can also interfere with the function of certain medications, including aspirin, acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs.

How Vitamin C in Liquid Kid’s Vitamins Can Help
Many consider vitamin C to be beneficial for fighting off common colds and flu. There is certainly evidence pointing to the ability for the vitamin to boost the immune system. However, vitamin C also offers antioxidant benefits to help prevent the following:

  • Asthma
  • Bronchitis
  • High blood pressure
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Glaucoma

What Are the Best Sources of Vitamin C?
Of course, the best way for children to obtain vitamin C is from eating a balanced diet that contains foods like citrus, berries, tomatoes, peppers, leafy greens and melons. For those who cannot obtain sufficient amounts of the vitamin in the diet, liquid vitamins for kids can be a safe and convenient alternative. A good place to start when determining whether or not your child requires additional vitamin C through supplementation is with your pediatrician. By evaluating your child’s diet and current health issues, the need for supplementation with liquid kid’s vitamins can be determined.