Question: Are Children Vitamins Worthwhile?

I have discussed how important supplements are, but does the same hold true for children vitamins?  Do children actually benefit from taking vitamins?  And what do you need to look for when selecting one?

Obviously, this decision is left up to the parents.  But I can tell you, the importance of taking supplements for children is no different from the importance of taking them as an adult.  Nowadays, our diets just are not very good so we generally do not get enough of the vitamins and minerals we need for optimal health.  And even if our eating habits are top notch, due to food processing and modern farming techniques, we simply do not get enough vitamins and minerals from the food we eat.

Now, the big difference here is that children do not require as much as adults do.  So I believe the odds of children getting what they need from eating are a little better.  The question is...do they get what they need?  That said, there are certain supplements which can be of extra value to kids.

Fish oil is important as early as a fetus.  It helps with brain development.  And that effect continues through life.  Not to mention the added benefit of cardiovascular health.  Did you know atherosclerosis can be found in children as young as 10-years old?  It's never too early to start thinking about cardiovascular health.

Calcium is also important at a young age to help with the development of bone growth.  But make sure the calcium supplement also has magnesium included, as this assists in the calcium absorption into the bone.

When it comes to choosing a vitamin for children, the same rules apply to children as they do for adults.  You want to find a pharmaceutical grade supplement to ensure your children are getting an actual benefit from what they are taking.  To be quite honest, the gummy vitamins and "popular cartoon" vitamins you find in your local store do not provide much benefit for children.

The book "Comparative Guide To Children's Nutritionals" by Lyle MacWilliam is an excellent resource to use for making your selection.  The book rates some of the most popular children's vitamins on the market.  I use it in my business to show people the vast differences in supplements.  Incidentally, the gummy and "cartoon" vitamins I took as a kid and are still being marketed today?  They were rated 1/2 star out of 5.

If you are looking for more information on supplements, for children, I would highly recommend starting with this book.  And if you are specifically looking for information on pharmaceutical grade supplements, my other site has detailed information on ingredients and benefits.

Post a comment if there is a specific topic you would like me to post on.  I would be happy to research the subject matter and report on the findings here.

To Your Health