Things To Look For In Every Kids Health Supplement

Julie Wendt
Colorful gummy vitamins in a clear plastic jar being poured into small Childs hand

In a perfect world, all kids would naturally get their essential daily vitamins and minerals from a health, balanced and nutritious diet. But in reality, our lives have become time crunched, and healthy home cooked food have been replaced with fast food and other time-saving meals. As a result, many pediatricians and doctors have recommended that kids take a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement. Besides what flavor it contains, or what cartoon character is featured on the packaging, below is a list that every parent should look for in every children’s multivitamin and mineral supplement.

Multivitamins
  1. Look for multivitamins that come close to 100 percent RDA’s of featured nutrients.
  2. Limit Sugars! No more than 2 grams of calorie sweeteners per dose.
  3. No high-fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners or colors.
  4. Remember; liquid is a good option for easy swallowing and absorption.
Omega 3’s
  1. Brain food.
  2. Should contain DHA and EPA.
  3. DHA is more important for kids’ brain development.
  4. Dose: Children over age 4, 250 mg of DHA and 180 mg of EPA daily. Teens: 500 mg of DHA and 365 mg of EPA.
Vitamin D
  1. Builds strong bones.
  2. Fights colds and influenza.
  3. More time indoors requires extra vitamin D.
  4. Dose: 1,000 – 2,000 IU Daily, with the higher dose for older and physically bigger kids.
Calcium and Magnesium
  1. Aim for a 1:1 ratio of calcium to magnesium.
  2. Calcium promotes stronger bones.
  3. Magnesium helps to deliver calcium to bones and increase focus.
  4. Dose: 200 mg of calcium and up to 200 mg of magnesium in the morning and the evening.
  5. Powdered or liquid magnesium supplements can be a good way to tailor the dose.
Zinc
  1. Building block to a healthy immune system.
  2. Supports the senses of taste and smell.
  3. Essential for sexual development at puberty.
  4. Dose: 2-4 mg of a chelated form, such as zinc gluconate.
  5. Look for a multimineral liquid that includes calcium, magnesium, and zinc.
Vitamin B
  1. Vitamins B6 and B12 are building blocks for brain neurotransmitters.
  2. Vitamin B deficiency can hinder memory, focus, and attention.
  3. Methylated (partially metabolized and the most bio-available form) B vitamins are important in Autism and ADHD to overcome specific enzyme blocks.

For more information on kids’ health supplements, or where you can purchase them, please visit: http://www.SimplyNutrition.com/supplements/kids-health

Tags: Wellness