The challenge for the manufacturers is a tricky one, to produce a Children’s vitamin without all the additives, sweeteners and sugars. At the same time it has to be palatable, or small enough to deliver a worthwhile amount of nutrients. Cartoon shapes, various flavours, syrups, chewable and powders are all on offer to supplement the child’s diet. Researchers from California State University designed a study to determine the effects of a low dose vitamin/mineral supplement in children aged 6-12. This trial compared the behaviour of 468 children, half of whom were taking a daily multivitamin while the other half took a dummy pill. After four months of the daily supplement, the children taking the multi were disciplined for violent and non-violent delinquency 47% less often than the placebo group. The lower rate of anti-social behaviour represented fewer threats, fighting, vandalism, disrespect, disorderly conduct, defiance, obscenities, endangering others, and other undesirable behaviours.
Products on the market viridiKid Multiple from Viridian Nutrition offers a no-nonsense, no-nasties multivitamin which contains the Government recommended levels of nutrients for children, without the unnecessary additives contained in many other children’s vitamin products. It is also genuinely sugar-free with no hidden extras, no aspartame, saccharine or other sweeteners – not even fructose, just the vitamins and minerals your child needs each day in a tiny, easy-to-swallow, all-vegetarian/vegan capsule.
viridiKid Multiple is seriously formulated for long-term daily intake during the early years, the all-important pre- and post-pubescent transition and onwards into adulthood.
Natures Plus Animal Parade children's formula supplies the protection and nutritional assurance all parents seek for their children, along with the great taste and animal shapes that kids love. Each chewable tablet supplies 16 vitamins and 8 minerals, as well as nature's most healthful whole foods, including spirulina, carrot, broccoli, whole brown rice and spinach. Combining the natural goodness of whole foods with a balanced profile of nutrients is what makes Animal Parade a complete dietary supplement formulated for your child. They use of a multinutrient formula is especially important to children’s cognitive function and a number of nutrients are required in order to convert essential fatty acids ( EFA's), present in fish and multiple oil formulas, into their active components. Natures Plus prides itself on making vitamins with whole food concentrates and should be applauded for eschewing the use of chemical sweeteners and going for a natural fruit sugar.
Biocare produce a child friendly range of children’s multivitamins for all ages. Vitasorb is a liquid vitamin that has no sweetening agents and is ideal for very small children. It contains 15mg of Vitamin C and 50iu of Vitamin E and 1250iu Vitamin A. (see reader offer below) Biocare’s Children’s Vits & Mins was developed specifically with the help of the Hyperactive Children’s Support Group and aimed at children affected by chemicals, additives and sweeteners. This product contains a high amount of zinc, vitamin C, vitamin B and selenium, known to be deficient in children with attention deficit disorder. The capsules can be broken and sprinkled over food, though I would probably recommend you use the Banana NutriFruits range which comes in a powder one level teaspoon mixed into water, milk or juice or sprinkled onto food for over 2 years old. Kindervital for Children is another liquid supplement. It contains herbs, fruit juices and maple syrup as the sweetening agent. This is a most pleasant tasting product containing no preservatives. Additionally, from time-to-time, as children suffer with occasional colds and infections, earache, stomach problems and so on, natural remedies can be recommended once a proper diagnosis has been obtained from a qualified health practitioner. Topping up a child’s balanced diet with a good quality multivitamin and essential fatty acid can give reassurance to parents that their children are avoiding any obvious nutritional deficiencies.
