What is Multi-Vitamins for Children?

Multi-Vitamins for Kids:
As a parent you are probably wondering if you need to buy kid's multivitamins. Kid's multi-vitamins can be a helpful addition to the proper nutrition of your child, but they are not necessary in all instances.

There is still a debate as to whether multi-vitamins are necessary for children and the real answer depends upon the situation and the child.

What are in Kids Multi-Vitamins?
Kid's multi-vitamins are formulated specifically for children and thus contain the vitamins and minerals that are needed most for that age group. These age ranges begin with infancy and end at about 17 years of age.

There are more specific age ranges for certain multi-vitamins, and you will need to check the age ranges on the specific kids multi-vitamins you are considering.

Kid's multi-vitamins should contain Vitamins A, C, and D, along with iron. These are the absolutely necessary vitamins and minerals that children need the most. Also, many children's multi-vitamins will contain Vitamins A and B12 and the minerals riboflavin, calcium, niacin and thiamine.

It should be noted that children's multi-vitamins will not contain the full recommended daily need of all of these vitamins and minerals, especially in the case of calcium. A kid's multi-vitamin is supposed to augment your child's diet, not take the place of proper nutrition.

Which Kids Need a Kid's Multi-Vitamin?
A well-balanced diet that satisfies the food diet pyramid will give a child the necessary amount of the needed vitamins and minerals for a strong, healthy kid. This, of course, is the ideal and you indeed know that kids can be stubborn and picky when it comes to eating. This is where a good kid's multivitamins can help round out a child's diet.

Those children who are either vegetarians or vegans will probably need a multi-vitamin because of the lack of iron in their diets. Iron comes mainly from meat and fish, so at the very least an iron supplement will be needed.

Iron is especially important in younger children and infants, and anemia can develop if there is a iron deficiency. Also, adolescent females are at a higher risk for anemia once they have begun menstruating.

With vegans, calcium will also be a major concern. Calcium is gotten mainly through dairy products, which will not be a part of the diet of vegan children. There are calcium fortified products, such as orange juice, but it will be difficult for your child to get the recommended amount without the help of a multi-vitamin.

Vitamin D is also a major concern when it comes to children who do not drink milk and/or who do not get much exposure to sunlight. Vitamin D is important in the absorption of calcium and thus plays an important role in strong bones and teeth.

Buying Kid's Multivitamins:
You should certainly consult your child's doctor before you buy a children's multi-vitamin. Let the doctor know of the general diet of your child and see if a kid's multivitamins is recommended.

Finally, remember that a kid's multi-vitamin does not replace the proper nutrition of a child. Never replace healthy eating with a multi-vitamin supplement

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