Differences Between Vitamins for Children & Adults

Almost all the nutrients that children and even adults need can be taken through a well-balanced diet that includes dairy, whole grains, fresh vegetables and fruits, and sources of protein like fish, meat, eggs, and legumes. However, some individuals are picky eaters and may not be able to eat a well-balanced diet every day. In addition, the easy availability of processed fast food in abundance makes it harder to eat boring-looking leafy green vegetables.

The good thing is that you can find supplements on the market, from high-quality magnesium complex to calcium-AKG, to provide you with vitamins you lack. Nevertheless, we’ll discuss how vitamins for children are different from adults through various perspectives in this article.

Do Children Need Multivitamins?

Your children might need multivitamins if they aren’t taking or aren’t able to take a nutritious diet on a daily basis. There’s no doubt that children don’t have a huge appetite, which could make it harder for them to get enough calories and nutrients like fats and proteins. This way, their growth and development can suffer.

Since most children are picky eaters, they tend to prefer processed meals over healthy food. They may also not like eating certain healthy food like fish or vegetables. If children are vegan or vegetarian, they may lack vitamin B12, iodine, calcium, zinc, and iron in their diet. Some children may be suffering from chronic health issues such as digestive problems that can make absorption of some nutrients difficult. This is when multivitamins can help meet their nutrient needs.

How Are Vitamins for Kids Different from Vitamins for Adults?

The daily nutritional needs of children are different from adults. The nutrition that children may need per day may be far less than that of adults. If children take adult-specific vitamins, this may lead to toxicity or overdose. If adults take vitamins made for children, it may not harm them, but it won’t provide any benefit since they will still lack the daily nutritional requirement.

Vitamins for children are designed in a child-friendly manner. You will notice the packaging has different cartoon characters to entice kids to take their daily vitamins. In addition to the look, kids’ vitamins come in different forms. As it’s hard for kids to swallow pills, their vitamins are either gummies or chewable tablets. That makes them easier to eat while giving the feel of candies. Vitamins for kids are also available in the form of effervescent tablets, so you can mix them in water or juice to help them get their daily intake.

What Vitamins Should Kids Take?

You will mostly find these vitamins in multivitamins for kids to facilitate their growth and development.

* Calcium – for bones and teeth.
* Zinc – to maintain healthy skin, nails, hair, and bones.
* B vitamins – for energy metabolism and normal nervous system functioning.
* Iron – for cognitive development and transportation of oxygen in the body.
* Vitamin A – for healthy vision and immune system.
* Iodine – to aid normal growth in kids.
* Vitamin C – to keep bones, gums, skin, and teeth normal.
* Vitamin D3 – to maintain healthy teeth and bones, immune system, and functioning of muscles.

Conclusion

In addition to the form and look, vitamins for children are also different in dosage because their daily nutritional requirements are lower than those of adults. Children should only be given supplements after consulting with a doctor. Never give them vitamins made for adults, as this can lead to vitamin toxicity or overdose.