Gummy bears, invented by Hans Riegel, and produced in Germany in the 1920s, soon evolved into Gummy Worms and a variety of gummy candy shapes and sizes. It didn't take long for several companies, including Northwest Natural Products, to figure out that children loved these chewy candies, so integrating a vitamin base into a gummy candy would encourage children to take their vitamins. Northwest Natural Products owns and operates the only manufacturing facility in the world, designed specifically to manufacture gummy-based vitamins and supplements. Most gummy vitamins contain the same micronutrients, though the amounts may be different.
Vitamin A
Gummy vitamins contain vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin also known as retinol, axerophthol, biosterol and the anti-infective vitamin. This vitamin is used as a food fortification as retinyl palmitate and retinyl acetate. Vitamin A supports sight, skin, mucous membranes, protein synthesis, and bones; it is the anti-anemia vitamin and supports growth.
Vitamins B3, B3, B5, B6 and B-12
Gummy vitamins contain vitamins B2, B3, B5, B6 and B-12, all water-soluble vitamins. Vitamin B2, or riboflavin, supports metabolism and energy production. Vitamin B2 supports growth, reproduction, vision and the repair and maintenance of body tissues and mucous membranes. Vitamin B3, or niacin, produces energy from sugars, fats and protein and maintains healthy skin, nerves, brain, tongue and digestive system. Vitamin B5 helps the body metabolize fats, proteins and carbohydrates, as well as supports growth and development. Vitamin B6 supports the immune, cardiovascular and nervous systems. Vitamin B-12 supports red blood cells and the synthesis of DNA.
Biotin
Biotin is a member of the vitamin B complex. This vitamin functions as a coenzyme in a wide variety of body mechanisms including energy production and the maintenance of healthy skin, hair, sweat glands, nerves, bone marrow and sex glands. A coenzyme is a molecule or substance that works in tandem with another substance and serves as a catalyst to initiate a reaction.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C, a water-soluble vitamin, also known as L-ascorbic acid, functions as an antioxidant and promotes iron absorption from food. Vitamin C maintains healthy collagen, provides resistance to infection, controls blood cholesterol levels and makes folic acid active. Vitamin C also produces anti-stress hormones and brain and nerve substances.
Vitamins D, E and K and Folic Acid
Gummy vitamins contain vitamin D, which supports calcium and phosphorus absorption, normal growth and development of bones and teeth, and it supports a healthy immune and nervous system. Vitamin E, a fat-soluble vitamin, is an antioxidant; it reduces oxygen needs of the muscles, is an anti-blood clotting agent, blood vessel dilator and maintains healthy blood vessels. Vitamin K controls blood clotting. Folic Acid supports blood formation, metabolism of RNA and DNA, and builds resistance to infection in newborns and infants.
Minerals
Gummy vitamins also contain magnesium, calcium, iodine and zinc. Magnesium supports energy production and cell replication and nerve impulse transmission. Calcium is essential in the growth and maintenance of bones and teeth, and nerve and muscle function. Iodine supports normal thyroid and cell function and supports healthy skin, nails and hair. Zinc aids in digestion, cell reproduction and tissue repair and growth. Zinc also supports the immune system.
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