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Vitamin Supplements
Are They Good for Your Child?
By Felicia Hodges-Griffin
Dr. Maggs disagrees. "A lot of the medical authorities tend to plant the seed that nutritional supplementation can be dangerous or hazardous. They then always use the fat-soluble vitamin fear to scare you. [Vitamins] A, D, E and K constitute only about 20 percent of what the body uses. The fear is unrealistic," Dr. Maggs says.
According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), taking excessive amounts of one particular vitamin can alter the absorption rate, function or metabolism of another. For example, high doses of vitamin E can deplete vitamin A stores while excessive amounts of zinc can interfere with vitamin K and iron absorption. Vitamin supplements also have the potential to interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines. Check with your health care provider or pharmacist to be sure.
Many generic or store brands are manufactured by the same company as the more famous brands. The more expensive the vitamins are, the more likely it is that you are being charged for packaging and national advertising. Compare labels of several brands to get a more accurate idea of what you're paying for.