VITAMINS & PROBIOTICS FOR CHILDREN
Winter is a challenging time for us all. The weather is cold, the mornings are dark, and children often find winter tough with coughs, colds, and viruses in the classroom and the creche. This year Covid 19 is a concern for all parents. You can help support your child’s health with vitamin and probiotic supplements this winter. We have a few favourite products that we recommend to parents to keep their small ones healthy and full of vitality.
Vitamins
Children are very energetic and grow rapidly, so extra demands are placed on their nutritional requirements. There is large variety of vitamins to choose from to suit your children’s needs.
Aya Kids Crunchy Multi
This Irish brand of multivitamin helps support the immune system and contributes to growth and development of children. The once daily dose has a chelated formula for enhanced absorption and is gentle on stomach. It provides 20 essential nutrients including 12 vitamins and 8 minerals. It is suitable from 3 years plus and comes in a chewable pleasant blackcurrant flavour. It is gluten free, dairy free and suitable for vegetarians. We often recommend this product to children attending school or creche and those who do not favour liquid formulations.
Vivio Junior
Vivio Junior provides 12 vitamins and 6 minerals at appropriate levels for children. We often recommend this for kids who are “picky” eaters or are recovering from illness as it has been shown to stimulate appetite. Vivio Junior also contains Vitamin D which is vital for supporting the immune system, for bone growth and health, especially with our lack of winter sunlight in Ireland which leaves our Vitamin D levels exceptionally low. This product is suitable from 12 months of age with a once daily dosage of 5mls at breakfast time.
Revive Active (Junior & Teen)
Revive Active is an Irish vitamin range for children from 5 years upwards. It comes in an unflavoured sachet that can be added to the child’s favourite drink or food, so making it easier to take. One sachet a day will provide for children’s needs for their developing immune systems, concentration levels, bone development and strength and overall health. Revive Active also contains Wellmune which provides probiotics for gut health and vitality. The sachets are also sugar free.
Sambucol
Sambucol is made with black elderberries and provides a boost for kid’s immune systems. It does this through its elevated levels of Vitamin C and Zinc in the liquid. Both are vital for a healthy immune system and help fight infection when the inevitable cough or cold takes hold in January. It provides a natural high dose of antioxidants which are hugely important for the immune system. The Sambucol range gives the option of a pleasantly tasting liquid or Kid’s Gummies, both of which are immensely popular with children. Sambucol liquid is safe for use from 12 months of age, while the Gummies are used from 4 years upwards.
Aya Kids Appletite
Periodically children can go through phases of having poor appetite. This can happen for numerous reasons or after an illness. Aya Kids Appletite was developed to improve appetite in children by stimulating the stomach to produce enzymes ahead of mealtimes. It contains nutrients to support digestion and has a great tasting apple flavour. It is suitable for vegetarians and is gluten free, alcohol free, colour free and lactose free. It is suitable for children 1year plus. If your child is having long term issues with appetite, please chat with one of our knowledgeable pharmacists.
Probiotics
Probiotics have become increasingly popular in Ireland in recent years, their projected health benefits are proving to be very impressive and beneficial in supporting the immune system and general wellbeing. Our favourite probiotics are listed below:
Pro-Ven Probiotics – Fit for School
This novel product has been shown to reduce absenteeism from school by up to 30per cent. It helps to boost the immune system and is clinically proven to reduce incidence of cough and cold by one third. As a result, visits to GP are reduced and requirement for antibiotic estimated to be reduced by 43 %. It is available in chewable tablets and sachets (Tablets 4 yrs. + and Sachets 1yr +) to suit all needs. Both products contain vitamin C and are Gluten and dairy free. Sachets are also vegan friendly to suit specific dietary requirements. These probiotics can be taken with other supplements and multivitamins.
Bio-Kult Infantis
Bio-Kult Infantis* is one of the top probiotics for kids available. It contains 7 strains of beneficial bacteria strains, Vitamin D which is vital for kids and Omega 3 oil. It comes in a 1g sachet which can be added to yoghurts or drinks for babies, toddlers, and children. It can provide benefits all year round, but especially effective for use in children after a course of antibiotics, those who suffer with thrush or whose immune systems are struggling in the winter.
Optibac for babies and children
This probiotic was created especially for new-borns, babies, toddlers, and children up to 12 years old. It is suitable when breast feeding your baby also and comes in an easy-to-use sachet containing 3 billion live cultures. It can be mixed with non-acidic foods and drinks. It is suitable for vegetarians and those with coeliac disease or a gluten intolerance and offers a natural source of fibre. It is a suitable alternative to friendly bacteria yoghurts and yoghurt drinks, which are often high in sugar. It is recommended for daily use and is suitable for children who are on longer term medications or treatments for eczema. There are a wide range of supplements available to support your children’s specific nutritional needs.
Do not hesitate to visit or contact your local Hickey’s Pharmacy and seek advice from one of our trained team members. We are here to help.
