Do children need vitamin supplements? Here you get the myths and the truths

Do children need supplements? This is a good question and a topic that is often debated, but how can you separate the myths from the truth when there is so much information out there? After all, you don’t want to be guessing when it comes to your child’s health. That’s why we’ve put together a list of myths and truths about children’s vitamins so you can support your child’s health without worry!

Myth: Children don't need supplements

Truth: If a child eats a balanced diet full of whole foods, they are less likely to need supplements. However, sometimes it is beneficial to supplement a child's diet with safe, effective, high-quality vitamins and minerals.

Do you have someone in your home who is a picky eater? Or a child who gets sick all the time? These are just a few of the many indicators that supplements may be helpful for your child. The fact is, our bodies process food differently, and everyone has genetic predispositions that affect our metabolism of certain vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Even if your child eats a healthy diet, their body may not be physically processing these foods effectively, which can also affect their nutritional status. Even the way your child was born (cesarean section versus vaginal) can affect his or her gut bacteria composition, which we now know plays a significant role in our overall health. Because we are all so unique and there are so many environmental factors that contribute to our health and nutritional status, it’s not to say that children don’t need supplements. 

Read more here about when your child benefits from dietary supplements.

Does your child need to take supplements?

Ask yourself:

• Is your child picky?
• Does your child have chronic or recurring health problems?
• Does your child often get sick?
• Does your child eat a lot of processed foods and/or fast food?
• Is your child on a special diet? (Ex. vegan, vegetarian)
• Does your child have a condition that may affect nutritional status, increase nutrient needs, or affect digestion? (Ex. cancer, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or previous surgery on the digestive tract)
• Does your child spend a lot of time indoors?

These are possible situations where a child may benefit from supplements. If your child falls into one of these categories, or if you are wondering whether or not to give your child supplements, you should talk to your health center or a doctor. They can guide you on how to get started with supplements! 

Myth: Dietary supplements are dangerous for children

Truth: Supplements made specifically for children are generally safe to take as long as dosage instructions are followed. There are certain nutrients that should be taken with extra caution.

Vitamins are necessary for health, but there are some vitamins that can become toxic when taken in high doses. These are often the fat-soluble vitamins - vitamins A, D, E and K - which the body stores in fatty tissue as opposed to eliminating them through urine. Because the body holds onto these nutrients for a long time, health problems can arise if they are taken in excessive doses. The easiest way to avoid this, as with any dietary supplement, is to follow the manufacturer's dosage instructions. This will ensure that your child does not exceed the daily dosage guidelines. On top of this, always make sure to keep dietary supplements out of the reach of small children's hands. This is especially true of brightly colored or gummy vitamins that can easily be mistaken for candy.

Myth: Children have different nutritional needs than adults

Truth: Children have the same nutritional needs, but not in the same quantities.

We often forget that children are tiny people who have just as many nutritional needs as adults. If you have picky children at home, it is often easier to follow their preferences than to constantly argue about what to have for dinner. However, it is extremely important to remember that children have the same nutritional needs as adults, just not in the same quantities. As caregivers and parents, it is our job to make sure that children's needs are met, especially those children who do not have much variety in their diet, who may be more active than average or who simply do not like nutritious food. And the best (and easiest) way to do this is with the help of supplements. 

Best vitamins for children

If you want to make sure your kids are getting exactly what they need, there are certain vitamins that are especially helpful for children. Here are some of the best vitamins for children's health:

Iron

Iron is known to support physical growth, red blood cell production, neurological development, and muscle development. So, as you can see, iron is very important for growing children! Iron deficiency is also quite common, and is the cause of about half of all cases of anemia in children. 

Omega 3

Fish isn’t usually the first choice for children for dinner, but the omega-3s found in fatty fish like salmon, herring, and mackerel are important for healthy brain development. The fatty acid known as DHA is particularly beneficial for mood, attention, learning, and impulse control in children (1). Studies show that omega-3 intake is also beneficial for asthma (2). For new mothers and infants, adequate omega-3 intake may also help reduce the incidence of food sensitization that results in allergies (3). 

Probiotics

Probiotics are a great choice for children with stomach problems, anxiety, or immune system issues! Probiotics have many health-promoting benefits for our gut bacteria, and it is important to replenish the system with healthy bacteria to maintain gut balance. This is especially true for children who frequently use antibiotics. After illness and the use of antibiotics, which cleanse our entire system, it may be a good idea to use probiotics to get our gut back on track. 

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a very important nutrient for both adults and children. It plays many important roles throughout the body, including helping with collagen formation, nerve signal transmission, supporting healthy bones and teeth, and to top it all off, it also supports the immune system. These are all crucial factors for overall good health and well-being, especially for growing children, so we say a resounding yes to vitamin C!

Calcium

You've probably heard it a million times already - we need calcium for strong bones and teeth. What many people don't know is that calcium also has many other important functions in the body, including regulating muscle and heart function, nerve signal transmission, and much more! Since our bones are constantly in a process of breaking down and rebuilding, calcium is an essential nutrient to take throughout life!

Vitamin D3

When you think about calcium, you should also think about vitamin D3 , also known as the sunshine vitamin! Because our bodies rely on UV rays to produce vitamin D3, supplementation is especially important for children (and adults) living in northern countries. Little sun and a lot of time spent indoors can lead to vitamin D3 deficiency. Vitamin D3 has many important functions throughout the body, including immune system and brain health, while also helping the body absorb calcium.

There are also many other vitamins that are good for children's health, but these are some of the most important. Remember that a healthy and balanced diet is one of the best ways to ensure that all nutritional needs are met, and supplements are a great way to make sure that the basic elements that support health and well-being are present.

How to Choose the Best Vitamins for Children

Choosing the right vitamin for your child can be a stressful process. How do you know if the product is safe or of good quality? How do you know which companies you can trust? Or which vitamins to choose? We want to make sure your children are taking only the best supplements, so we want to help you make the choice easier. There are a few things you should look for when choosing supplements (for children and adults):

Safety and Quality: Typically, any company that prides itself on its safety, cleanliness, and quality standards will share that with its customers. It’s important to do some research on the brands you choose, and ask yourself – is this company honest about their own manufacturing processes? Do they promote the safety and quality of their products? Are they open about their facility standards?

Trusted Brands: With so many different companies offering supplements out there, you should look at the company’s reputation to find a supplement that’s right for you. There are often reviews online where customers provide feedback and share experiences. A quick search of the company name online will also give you a sense of whether or not you can trust this brand. If your search turns up little or no information, you should think twice before purchasing this product. On the other hand, if there is a lot of information, social media pages, reviews, etc., you can think of this as a good indication that your product at least comes from a legitimate business.

Dosage: If you want to make sure your child is getting safe but adequate amounts of a nutrient, the best way to do so is to only supplement with nutrients specifically dosed for children. There are millions of products on the market for adults, but giving a child an adult vitamin supplement can lead to poisoning. So choose products made for children instead, and always double-check the label to ensure the correct dosage. The vast majority of supplements will also list the appropriate age and dosage for the product in question.

Ingredients: Ingredients matter, especially in the world of supplements. It’s not a good idea to take a supplement that could have a negative effect on your body! The key here is to always check the ingredient label. Is the list of ingredients long? Are there added ingredients with little or no nutritional value? Are the nutrients themselves in their most bioavailable form? These are things to consider when choosing good vitamins for you and your family! 

Here at Aarja Health, we only make supplements that we would take ourselves and that we are comfortable giving to our families. After all, that’s why we started this in the first place! We found it difficult to find safe, effective, and reliable products, so we decided to make our own. Since we own our own manufacturing facility, we can be absolutely sure that each product is made with the efficacy and exceptional quality that we strive to maintain. So, if you’re looking for a reputable brand, congratulations, you’ve found it! We’re happy to share information about our factory so you can learn more about our quality standards. And even better, we also make children’s vitamins, using some of the best ingredients available. 

Children's vitamins from Aarja Health

We currently have two fantastic children's vitamins available - Vitamin C with Blueberry and Vitamin D3 with Blueberry. Both of these products are tasty chewable tablets that contain no unnecessary additives, sugar or food colours. With the great taste of natural, Nordic blueberries, your children will love them and you can be sure that they are taking products with unbeatable quality standards. 

No matter the season, both Vitamin C and Vitamin D3 with blueberries support multiple aspects of children's health, including the immune system, brain and neurological health, strong teeth and much more! Check out our store today and make sure your children face tomorrow healthy and strong!