Kids gummy vitamins contain limited nutrients As they need to have sugars, flavours and fillers to create the gummy texture, they simply can't pack in as many vitamins and minerals. A limited amount of nutrients means your child probably isn't gaining any therapeutic benefit from taking the gummy vitamins.
Yes, gummy vitamins do “work,” but they may not be as potent as their traditional counterparts. “Gummy vitamins contain less vitamins and minerals than chewable and non-chewable forms,” says Odelia Lewis, MD, a medical contributor to ABC News Medical Unit.
Children need vitamins and minerals for growth, development and good health. Children can get vitamins and minerals by eating a variety of foods from the five food groups. If children don't get enough vitamins or minerals, it can lead to growth and development problems.
The most significant advantage of gummy vitamins is their higher bioavailability than non-chewable ones, which means your body can absorb the vitamins more efficiently. However, the reason they are better absorbed is because they contain less vitamins and minerals than traditional vitamins or chewable ones.
Generally speaking, the more severely deficient you are in a vitamin or nutrient, the faster you'll see a difference when taking supplements. However, in most cases, it takes around three to six weeks to see noticeable changes.
The study found that there was a significant increase in the bio-availability of Vitamin D prepared in gummy than those manufactured in tablets. The factors for this result were multiple but included the preparation and flavour of the gummy and the way in which they are consumed.
It's probably time to stop feeding your kids multivitamins. A daily, candy-coated pill or gummy may seem like an easy way to give your child all the nutrients they need for their health, but, more often than not, these supplements are a waste of your money. In extreme cases, they can be downright dangerous.
There is no evidence that giving a child Vitamin C, multivitamins or other products advertised to boost the immune system is effective in preventing the common cold. Freed notes that the effectiveness of supplements and vitamins do not need to be proven in order for them to be sold.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children up to one year of age supplement with 400 IU of Vitamin D.
They might not contain as many nutrients.
It's harder for manufacturers to pack in as many vitamins and minerals when making gummies.
Gummy vitamins and chewables are marketed as more accessible than pills, but it's no coincidence that they look and taste like candy. They're often full of chemical flavor enhancers, are lower in nutritional value and higher in sugar and calories than their liquid counterparts.
Why gummies work better than tablets. One reason why many people like gummies is that they are more easily absorbed by the body than tablets. Because they are in a liquid form, the body can digest them much more easily. Gummies also taste better than tablets, which of course makes them more enjoyable to take.
Vitamins, taken properly, won't do any harm. Just don't let them take the place of a healthy diet, which children need for good growth. Follow the “rainbow diet” and make sure your kids eat a colorful variety of fruits and vegetables to get the nutrients they need.
Consider waiting until a child reaches age 4 to start giving a multivitamin supplement, unless your child's doctor suggests otherwise.
Vitamin D
Good vitamin D status in kids actually prevents colds and flu. For kids who have a low vitamin D status, they are much more susceptible to colds and the flu. It's not likely that kids get enough vitamin D from food, and breastfeeding babies definitely need a vitamin D supplement.
The researchers concluded that multivitamins don't reduce the risk for heart disease, cancer, cognitive decline (such as memory loss and slowed-down thinking) or an early death. They also noted that in prior studies, vitamin E and beta-carotene supplements appear to be harmful, especially at high doses.
They may be toxic, ineffective, or contaminated (all of which are not uncommon). In other words: Most people who eat a healthy diet are unlikely to benefit from nutritional supplements. Note the very important qualifiers. We're talking about most people (not all) who eat a healthy, well-balanced diet.
If you take a multivitamin, it's probably because you want to do everything you can to protect your health. But there is still limited evidence that a daily cocktail of essential vitamins and minerals actually delivers what you expect. Most studies find no benefit from multivitamins in protecting the brain or heart.
Although dietary multivitamin gummies are growing in popularity around the world, research suggests most healthy individuals who eat a balanced diet don't need to take multivitamins. "For most of the population, multivitamin gummies are unnecessary as we can obtain the nutrients we need from food.
If you or your child has eaten too many gummy vitamins, you should call Poison Control immediately. But it's unlikely you'll need emergency aid if you eat too many gummy vitamins. Eating too many gummy vitamins may cause diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, or headaches.
“Digestion slows down during sleep, so taking your nutrient supplement late at night would not be associated with an efficient absorption.” Neil Levin, a clinical nutritionist at NOW Foods, agrees that morning is best for multivitamins and any B vitamins.
The most common include vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids (all of which are important for immune health).