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Vitamin Supplements
Are They Good for Your Child?
By Felicia Hodges-Griffin
Check the expiration dates before you toss a jar of vitamins into your grocery cart. Flintstone's chewables and other supplements lose their potency over time.
Although preservatives and fillers aren't necessary, the FDA says that you may not wish to write off a particular brand simply because of additives, contending that sugar or starch are sometimes added to ensure better absorption of the nutrients. If you are concerned about the colors, sugars and starches added to the supplements your child is taking, know that there are filler-free alternatives available at just about any health food store in the country. Nature's Plus produces "Animal Parade" which use natural, whole food concentrations in their great-tasting yeast-, wheat-, corn-, soy-, milk- and animal product-free chewable multi-vitamins.
Natural and synthetic vitamins are virtually identical to each other chemically. The one exception is vitamin E, whose natural form is more "active" in the body than the synthetic form. This difference has been factored into the measurement (in International Units or IUs) listed on the label, so that 30 IU of natural vitamin E is just as "active" as 30 IU of the synthetic form.
It pays to be as aware in the vitamin aisle as you would be while shopping for produce or dairy. Examine the labels, compare the ingredients, shop around and take your time. A few minutes of careful shopping could save you a great deal of energy and concern later on.