Childrens Multi Vitamins Can Bridge the Nutritional Gap

Have you asked yourself if your children’s diet is balanced? It’s most likely not if they’re primarily eating fast-fixed, pre-made, and packaged meals. Because of the ever increasing popularity of these processed foods, the need for childrens multi vitamins is growing.

There are a variety of factors that play a part in a balanced diet for children. Eating habits, appetite, the quantity and quality of the food provided, how it is prepared, food sensitivities, and allergies can all affect the amount of nutrition a child takes in.

Presently, the North American diet is high in processed, refined foods that contain high levels of sugar, simple carbohydrates, artificial color and flavorings, preservatives, and fat. Most of these foods also have few vitamins and minerals and don’t have measurable amounts of fiber. A diet that primarily consists of processed foods can lead to a variety of metabolic conditions including hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer.

Studies have shown that more than 50 percent of children do not get even the recommended daily allowance of many nutrients. And when a child isn’t getting sufficient nutrients from their diet, childrens multi vitamins can be a big benefit.

Making healthy diet choices can be tough when you are dealing with a picky eater. And, it’s never a good idea to assume that your growing boy or girl is getting the right amount of vitamins and minerals just because they’re eating the average home-cooked meal or school lunch. In many cases, these children are not.

Multi vitamins for kids can serve as nutritional insurance by providing in supplement form the nutrients that are needed each and every day. In fact, supplementation combined with a well-rounded diet is often the best choice for meeting a growing child’s nutritional requirements.

What to Look for in Childrens Multi Vitamins
If your child could benefit from multi vitamins for kids, it’s always a smart idea to choose a supplement that provides all essential vitamins and minerals along with enzymes and bioflavonoids for absorption and activity. Adequate levels of vitamin D3 and vitamin K2 along with lutein and probiotics are also important.

By providing your child with high quality childrens multi-vitamins, you’re investing in their long-term health and well-being.

Can Adults Take Childrens Multi Vitamins?

Children’s multi vitamins are formulated to provide extra nutrition for children. However, they are often taken by adults for a variety of reasons. Some individuals have difficulty swallowing large vitamin tablets and prefer the chewable childrens multivitamins for ease of use. Others are simply short on time and just grab a couple of their kids’ supplements when they’re giving them to their children. Whatever the reason, children’s multi vitamins are not always the best choice for adults. However, they will typically do no harm either.

The Nutritional Needs of Adults and Children Are Different
While an eight year old child and a 30 year old adult both need the same amount of calcium according to the United States Department of Agriculture, their iron needs are dramatically different. Childrens multi vitamins are formulated specifically for the needs of children and typically do not have the optimal amounts for children. With that said, they do offer some amount of nutrition, and some is always better than none!

Caution for Pregnant Women Taking Childrens Multi Vitamins
Pregnant women, according to the American Pregnancy Association, require extra nutrition such as iron, calcium, and folic acid which can help protect against neural tube defects. This is why there are prenatal vitamins designed specifically to support pregnancy. Children’s multivitamins do not provide enough of these nutrients, and thus, these should never be used by pregnant women.

It Begins with a Balanced Diet
Not everyone requires a nutritional supplement. If you are eating a balanced diet that includes vegetables, fruit, whole grains, protein, and dairy, you may very well be getting enough that there’s simply no reason to pop children’s multivitamins.

A good place to start is your doctor’s office when it comes to determining the right vitamins and minerals for your specific needs. Your doctor can offer guidelines and suggestions based upon your lifestyle, health, age, and physical needs. You may need a variety of supplements, be ok with children’s multivitamins, or not require any supplementation at all.

With that being said, if you are considering taking children’s multivitamins, a good option is Animal Parade Sugar Free Children’s Chewables by Nature’s Plus. They’re gluten-free, vegetarian, and contain a complete range of essential vitamins along with healthful whole foods including spirulina, carrot, broccoli, whole brown rice, and spinach. With great flavor, they’re delicious for both children and adults!

The Feingold Diet and Childrens Multi Vitamins for Treating Symptoms of ADHD

In the 1970s, Benjamin Feingold, a pediatric allergist, created a diet for treating children who were suffering from hyperactive behavior and learning disabilities. He believed that artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, as well as naturally-occurring salicylates were a major cause of conditions such as ADD and ADHD.

Studies of the diet have been mixed, and new recommendation have been made in the last thirty years. Today, dietary therapies for treating ADHD include the use of childrens multi vitamins, incorporating more foods high in protein and complex carbohydrates, and eliminating sugar and artificial sweeteners.

What to Look for in Childrens Multi Vitamins
There are several vitamins and minerals commonly found in childrens chewable vitamins that have been shown to have an effect on symptoms of ADHD. These include magnesium, vitamin B6, and zinc.

Symptoms of magnesium deficiency include irritability, decreased attention span, and mental confusion. Some ADHD experts believe that children who show symptoms of ADHD may actually have a magnesium deficiency. In a study of magnesium deficient children who were diagnosed with ADHD, the addition of magnesium showed a measurable improvement in behavior compared to those who did not receive the supplement.

Vitamin 6, another vitamin commonly found in childrens multi vitamins, is needed for the body to produce serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine – all brain chemicals that can affect children with ADHD.
Zinc is a mineral that regulates brain chemicals. Without adequate amounts, individuals can have a variety of symptoms similar to those of ADHD.

There is new evidence about ADHD that is being published on a regular basis. And much of this has to do with improving the diet and getting adequate nutrients to support brain health.  By providing your child with a balanced diet and well-formulated children multi-vitamins, you can give him or her the best chance to overcome the symptoms of this common disorder.