Thinking of offering a vitamin C supplement to your little one? We put together a simple guide about everything you need to know about it.
We’re no strangers to vitamin C supplements – it’s one of the most popular supplements in the market, after all. Healthcare experts say that food is still the best source for both adults and children to get the vitamins their bodies need. However, vitamin C supplements can be used to fill in any nutritional gaps should you or your child need to abstain from certain food types due to allergies or conditions.
So should I still offer my healthy child vitamin C supplements?
Technically, a healthy child doesn’t necessarily need supplements. A Senior Dietitian from KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital encourages parents to help their children obtain good nutrition through food rather than supplements.
Supplements may be recommended in the event that a child isn’t getting all the nutrients their body needs from different food groups. This is usually the case if a child is a fussy eater, is on a strict vegan diet, or doesn’t have enough healthy and balanced meals. The latter can be a common occurrence in the busy world we live in, where we sometimes have to rely on quick meals or simple takeaways. Vitamin C supplements may also be taken to boost immunity when we’re unwell, helping to speed up the recovery process.
What are vitamin C supplements for kids made of?
Generally, there are two types of vitamin C supplements: natural and synthetic.
Natural vitamin C supplements are concentrated vitamin C derived solely from natural ingredients. These are mainly obtained from fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C. As the vitamin C is derived from whole foods, natural vitamin C supplements are nutrients that are recognised by our bodies and easily absorbed. These supplements also contain other beneficial co-factors (such as antioxidants, flavonoids, and phytonutrients) that are naturally present in the food source. For example, MadeFrom’s All Natural Vitamin C Gummies for Kids sources vitamin C from acerola cherries.
On the other hand, synthetic vitamin C supplements are composed of concentrated vitamins that are created in a lab. These are often in amounts that are much higher than what our bodies actually need. Synthetic vitamin C also comes in the form of chemical solvents and ascorbic acid. Many vitamin C supplements in the market are made from synthetic vitamin C. Though some may boast of containing vitamin C sourced from natural ingredients, these are usually in very small amounts.
It’s also worth noting that some vitamin C supplements may contain ‘extras’ – like artificial sweeteners and colouring – to make them look palatable to kids. You can do a simple check by looking at the ingredients list on the labels. Naturally, these are things that you don’t want in a product that’s supposed to be healthy for your kids.
I’m considering offering my child vitamin C supplements – but how do I pick the right one?
Most vitamin C supplements for kids that are available over-the-counter are made in child-friendly dosage. Having said that, health experts recommend that you consult your paediatrician before grabbing one, as each child’s needs are different. For instance, a fussy eater may have different needs from a child with food allergies. Your paediatrician will be able to advise on the required dosage, or offer a prescription-only option if needed.
But you can’t go wrong with too much vitamin C, right?
It’s true that vitamin C is good for you – but too much of anything is never a good thing. According to a Senior Pharmacist from Singapore General Hospital, the water-soluble vitamin C can be harmful if a healthy person consumes it in excessive amounts over a long period of time. Potential health risks include diarrhoea and kidney stones.
Are there natural vitamin C supplements for kids that don’t contain any artificial ‘extras’?
Yes! MadeFrom, a New Zealand-based kids supplement company, recently launched its All Natural Vitamin C Gummies for Kids in Singapore. As its name suggests, everything in this bottle of goodness is made from natural ingredients: from its vitamin C source to its colouring. What’s more, the vitamin C derived entirely from acerola cherries are gentle on the little ones’ tummies, and easily absorbed too. But that’s not all – MadeFrom’s vitamin C supplement is vegan-friendly as the gummies are made from a plant-based thickening agent (some supplements use bovine or pork gelatin), and has no added sugar. Plus, did we mention that it tastes great as well?
Want to find out more about MadeFrom’s All Natural Vitamin C Gummies, or ready to snag one for your kids? You can check it out on MadeFrom’s website!
This post is in partnership with MadeFrom.