According to the Office of Dietary Supplements at the National Institutes of Health, vitamin B12 helps in forming red blood cells and synthesizing DNA. The only natural sources of vitamin B12 are foods from animals, and so vegan children might need to take a B12 vitamin supplement. Note: the body can absorb only about ten micrograms of vitamin B12, or about 170 percent of the daily value for vitamin B12, from a supplement, so you probably do not need to find a supplement with excessive vitamin B12.
Centrum
Centrum Kids Complete is a multivitamin and mineral supplement that claims to provide more vitamins and minerals than other leading brands. This supplement provides 100 percent of the daily value for vitamin B12 in the form of cyanocobalamin, which the body converts to the active methylcobalamin form of vitamin B12. It supplies 13 percent of the daily value for vitamin K, 70 percent of the daily value for vitamin A and 100 percent of the daily value for the other essential vitamins as well as some minerals. This chewable supplement comes in cherry, orange and fruit punch. Centrum states that the iron and zinc are for healthy growth and development; and the antioxidant vitamins C, E, and A aid in immunity. The Food and Drug Administration has not verified these claims.
Mercola
Mercola's Children's supplies the essential vitamins as well as some minerals and antioxidants. The vitamins and minerals in this supplement are in chelate complexes along with amino acids. This molecular structure improves absorption rates. Each two-tablet serving of this supplement provides 100 percent of the daily value for vitamin B12 as methylcobalamin, which is one of the biologically active forms of vitamin B12 in the body. To avoid the risk of poisoning, this tablet does not contain iron. This supplement is allergen free and contains no artificial sweeteners. Instead, it is natural, with orange-mango flavoring, and sucrose as a sweetener. They also have citrus bioflavonoids, which are antioxidants and may have health benefits. These supplements conform to U.S. Pharmacopeia Specifications. The Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated the health benefits or safety of this supplement.
Vitamore
Vitamore is an international company that supplies natural herbal supplements in addition to vitamins and minerals. The Vitamore USA Children Ultra Chewable is a multivitamin and mineral supplement in the form of tablets. Each tablet provides 100 percent of the daily value for vitamin B12 as cyanocobalamin, so the child's body can convert it to active vitamin B12.The tablet also provides 100 percent of the daily value for several essential vitamins and minerals, including iron. It also has ten percent of the daily value for calcium. The Ultra Chewables come in an orange flavor. This supplement is from an Asian facility that the Food and Drug Administration has inspected, although the FDA does not inspect the final product since it is a dietary supplement.
References
- National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements: Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin B12
- Centrum: Centrum Kids Complete
- Mercola: Do Your Kids Even Need Multivitamins and Minerals Supplementation?
- Mercola: Multivitamin: Children's Chewables: Supplement Facts
- Vitamore USA: Children's Health: Children's Ultra Chewable
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