When searching for that one multivitamin supplement you can trust for the health of your little one, you can get lost in a sea of products basically promising the same thing. How you just wish some northern star would materialize somewhere guiding you to the one that can really deliver.
I understand that when it comes to the health of your child, it is no eenie meenie miny mo decision. So here are tips that can put you on the right track.
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Go for multivitamin and multi-mineral supplements
Not only should a supplement contain a range of vitamins but minerals as well. Each mineral have their own benefits, but it is also important that they get a complete array to promote optimum nutrition for proper growth and development. From the bone strengthening effects of calcium, to the brain boosting power of zinc, your child can get overall development -which frankly- some supplements lack.
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Essential fatty acids
Essential fatty acids (EFA) have become a staple in adult multivitamin supplements but you don’t often hear these nutrients marketed in children’s products. But did you know that they contain heaps of benefits for your little one? According to Dr. David C. Leopold in an article for WebMD, “Pretty much everybody’s diet is deficient in Omega-3s.”
Omega-3 is just one of the string of essential fatty acids, which is hailed for its numerous benefits. Dr. Leopold points out several evidence-based data as to why this particular EFA is important in a child’s development. Even in the womb babies can benefit from omega-3 fatty acids which is why some doctors even advise pregnant moms to take this. Studies show that it promotes better hand-eye coordination, social skills, attention span and IQ scores. Another research also showed that it lessens the risk for asthma in teenagers.
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Probiotics and Prebiotics
This may not be always seen in most multivitamins, but they are definitely a plus for those products that have it. Probiotics are actually supplements or foods that contain the good bacteria called lactobacillus. Not all bacteria are bad, and this one in particular can aid in correcting the bacterial balance in the body, more precisely in the gut. Its benefit lies in the fact that it prevents infection by stopping bad bacteria from taking over, which is the usual cause for diarrheal diseases.
Prebiotics on the other hand promote probiotics. Therefore their marriage creates a strong fortress in your child’s tummy preventing bouts of diarrhea, especially at a time when your little one is taking everything he touches to his mouth.
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Avoid products that are heavily laden with sugar
Do you still have those memories where your mom would force you to down a spoonful of multivitamin syrup? All you could think of was that it was an “eeky” ritual that you have to go through everyday in the name of good health. That is why manufacturers thought to make it easier for the parents to coax their child into taking their vitamins, and of course, to make it more enjoyable for the little one. Hence, the gummy multivitamins!
This may seem like genious, but it can be detrimental in the long run. Most of these child supplements contain so many sugars, high fructose corn syrup, artificial dyes, artificial flavors, and even some allergens. It may be tempting to buy those cute little gummy vitamins since they just make a part of everyday life a bit easier, but this are actually doing more harm than good.
Some people even commented that this is already pushing the children into that mindset that healthy should be always tasty, fun or sweet. This can leave them to simply hate bland but highly nutritious veggies.
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Prefer supplements that have more natural content
The thing with supplements that are marketed to be “natural” or “all natural” can sometimes be no more than just plain marketing tactics. That is why parents have to be vigilant because most of these are simply laden with a bunch of synthetic ingredients. You can learn how to spot reliable multivitamin supplement brands here.
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Always ask your pediatrician
But don’t take our word for it. You see, it is always best to consult your pediatrician especially if you are deeply concerned of your child’s health, but more importantly if they are diagnosed to have some deficiencies. Children with certain conditions ought to be referred to professional medical help so that they get the proper management for their diet and supplements.
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