Vitamins and minerals are necessary for your body to perform essential functions; from growing hair and skin cells to protecting you from diseases. While the best way to obtain vitamins and minerals is to eat a healthy, varied diet, many people feel more comfortable taking vitamin supplements and providing them to their children. Herbal remedies can also be part of a healthy approach to living, although you should discuss any herbs with your child's pediatrician before giving him a dose.
Vitamin Supplements for Kids
For most children, vitamin supplements are not necessary. According to the website BabyCenter.com, the American Academy of Pediatrics states that because most foods are enriched with vitamins, supplements are only needed if they are recommended by your pediatrician. However, the AAP does explain you are free to provide supplements as long as you do not exceed the recommended daily allowance of each nutrient. If your child has specific needs, such as food sensitivities, you should discuss these with your pediatrician in determining which supplement to give. For example, children who are vegetarians may need supplements of vitamin B-12, as it is only found in animal foods.
Alternative Medicine and Kids
Complementary and alternative medicine, sometimes called CAM, encompasses most health practices that are not necessarily taught at traditional Western medical schools, like acupuncture, herbal medicine, chiropractic and holistic healing. While CAM is becoming more and more accepted by both traditional physicians and insurance companies, you should still exercise caution in opting for CAM treatments for your child. Herbal remedies, while they are easy to obtain at health food stores, drugstores and even over the Internet, are not regulated for purity, quality or effectiveness by the Food and Drug Administration.
Cost and Benefits of Alternative Therapies
According to an article published in the April 2001 issue of the "Western Journal of Medicine," many parents opt for CAM or herbal treatments for their child because they are under the impression that these therapies are lower in cost and provide more benefits to the child's health. Unfortunately, there is no evidence that this is the case, and the article's author states that evidence has actually shown that alternative treatments actually increase health care costs because they tend to be used in addition to traditional treatments. The article's author suggests that, in order to best address your child's health needs, you should be upfront with her pediatricians about any CAM treatments or herbal remedies you are pursuing.
Warnings
Vitamins and herbal remedies can be part of a healthy preventative regimen for your children, but exercise caution at all times. You should never rely on vitamin supplements to replace foods themselves -- if your child is eating poorly, consult a professional. Take care to never allow your child to have more than the recommended dosage of multivitamins each day, or toxicity could result.
Since herbal remedies are not regulated by the FDA, the actual amount of herbs in each product can vary. Some parents feel like herbs are safe because they are natural, but that is not the case at all. Many prescription drugs are manufactured from herbs because of the strength of the effects they can cause. Never exceed the recommended dosage of an herbal remedy, and be sure that you have an accurate dosage for your child's size. Overdosing on herbal remedies can be deadly.
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