The Truth on Chewables Recommended for Children
When I was a kid, I did not like peas. I couldn't leave the table until I ate every last one. The answer I was always given as to why I had to eat my peas was a stern, “because they are good for you”.
Yet, as a child, the understanding of “good” related to the flavor rather than the healthy nourishment. My mother would tell us each time we had peas, “You are going to like these ones, they are a new kind.” And to her credit, there may have been a few times I actually did enjoy the various preparation that she would deliver. I just never gave-in and told her. The truth of the matter was, as great as she made them taste, I had to eat them no matter what, because they were what my parents deemed “good” for me.
Just as when I was a child, today’s kids driving force for eating certain foods is always the taste. Pharmaceutical supplement manufacturers know this and found a convenient way to entice children to like taking their daily vitamins at the same time satisfying the parent’s need for “good” healthy nourishment. They created chewables, they created gummies; all designed to taste “good” and even marketed as good for the body too! However, there seems to be no regard or concern about what actual chemicals are being used for vitamins and minerals, including the artificial preservatives and artificial colors. These are all just thrown into to make one big sugary treat.
These products are sold, regardless of whether or not the products are actually “good” for the children.
Here are a few examples of the top selling “chewables”, in the forms of “Gummies”:
Flintsones® vitamins Gummies (Made by:Bayer ®)
INGREDIENTS:
Glucose Syrup, also known as “corn syrup”, usually GMO corn sugar
Sucrose - purified or refined sugar
Gelatin - Gelatin is a product obtained by the partial hydrolysis of collagen derived from the skin, white-connective tissue and bones of animals.
Ascorbic Acid- synthetic processed from hydrogenated sugar and acetone. (Usually GMO corn sugar)
Citric Acid- synthetic preservative also used as an anti-caking agent
D-Biotin - Phytin hydrolyzed with calcium hydroxide and sulphuric acid.
FD&C Blue #1, FD&C Blue 1 is a synthetic dye produced from petroleum – The EPA cites: one or more animal studies show classified as toxic effects at moderate doses may contain up tp 10ppm of lead and arsenic
FD&C Red #40- a synthetic dye produced from petroleum- FD&C and D&C colors are coaltar (bituminous coal) derivatives that are continuously tested on animals due to their carcinogenic properties. May contain up tp 10ppm of lead and arsenic
FD&C Yellow #6, a synthetic dye produced from petroleum- FD&C and D&C colors are coal tar (bituminous coal) derivatives that are continuously tested on animals due to their carcinogenic properties. (Source for FD& C synthetic colors: EWG.org) may contain up tp 10ppm of lead and arsenic
Folic Acid - Processed with petroleum derivatives and acids; acetylene
Iodine as: Potassium Iodide - made from HI and KHCO3 by melting in dry hydrogen and undergoing electrolysis. It is used to make photographic emulsions and as an expectorant
Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride) - Petroleum ester processed with Hydrochloric Acid and Formaldehyde
Vitamin A Acetate - Vitamin A acetate is from methanol, it is a retinol which is crystalline in structure
Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)- Cobalamins reacted with Cyanide
Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol or D3) is isolated from irradiated animal fats such as cattle brain/spinal cords or is solvently extracted from lanolin, which is pressed wool grease.
Vitamin E (Acetate) – most often used as a preservative in the food industry
Zinc Sulfate - can be a rock processed with sulphuric acid. It is used as a corrosive in calico-printing and to preserve wood.
Li'L Gummies® by Mother's Select®(Amazon top seller)
INGREDIENTS:
Vitamin A Palmitate - Methanol, benzene, petroleum esters; acetylene; refined oils- Known human reproductive toxicant (FDA) , Produces excess reactive oxygen species that can interfere with cellular signaling, cause mutations, lead to cell death and may be implicated in cardiovascular disease, One or more animal studies show tumor formation at very low doses, Uncertain environmental toxin and uncertain persistent or bioaccumulative (Environment Canada Domestic Substance List)
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) - synthetic processed from hydrogenated sugar and acetone (Usually GMO corn sugar)
Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol or D3) - is isolated from irradiated animal fats such as cattle brain/spinal cords or is solvently extracted from lanolin, which is pressed wool grease.
Vitamin E (Dl-alpha tocopheryl Acetate) -Trimethylhrdroquinone with isophytol; refined oils- most commonly used as a synthetic preservative in the food industry
Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride) - Petroleum ester processed with Hydrochloric Acid and Formaldehyde
Folic Acid- Processed with petroleum derivatives and acids; acetylene
Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) - Cobalamins reacted with Cyanide
D-Biotin Phytin hydrolyzed with calcium hydroxide and sulphuric acid.
Pantothenic Acid (Calcium D-pantothenate) - is made synthetically by condensing isobutryaldehyde with formaldehyde
Iodine as: Potassium Iodide - made from HI and KHCO3 by melting in dry hydrogen and undergoing electrolysis. It is used to make photographic emulsions and as an expectorant
Zinc (zinc citrate) is smithsonite processed with citric acid. It is used in the manufacture of some toothpaste.
Glucose Syrup, also known as “corn syrup”, usually GMO corn sugar
Sugar (refined white sugar)
Dextrose, Sweetener products made by cornstarch hydrolysis (usually GMO corn)
Corn Starch Modified, Corn Starch Modified is a calcium salt of the ester formed from the reaction of3-(dodecenyl)dihydro-2, 5-furandione and corn starch in which the degree of substitution per glucose unit isless than 0.1. It is used primarily as an: Absorbent; Film Former; Skin-Conditioning Agent - Miscellaneous; Viscosity Increasing Agent
Gelatin, - Gelatin is a product obtained by the partial hydrolysis of collagen derived from the skin, white-connective tissue and bones of animals.
Malic Acid, - used as a Fragrance Ingredient; pH Adjuster; BUFFERING – general concerns as a skin irritant according to Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments
Sodium Citrate - used mostly in cosmetics as a pH Adjuster; BUFFERING; CHELATING; MASKING
Natural flavors - unless defined source, these are “artificial” sourced flavors used to replicate “natural” flavor-
Natural colors - unless listed from food sources, natural colors are mostly “artificial” dyes to appear as “natural” colors.
After analyzing the composition of ingredients found in these “good” children supplements, it seems as though the only thing good about it, is the fact that children will actually eat them.
Although there are only 2 sources of gummies listed for comparison, all of the “gummies” will all contain similar, if not identical ingredients. Aside from the chemical sweeteners and artificial colors, the actual sources for vitamins and minerals are in their isolated or synthetic form; unrecognizable by their little bodies as nutritious. They are chemicals and the body treats them as such!
When you consider the wholefood option, with Grown By Nature's Children's Multi-Vitamin & Mineral, the focus was first placed on wholefood organic ingredients that are in fact “good and healthy” for the children. Not only do their bodies recognize the ingredients as wholefoods, the Re-Natured ® nutrients are proven to be far better absorbed, retained and most importantly utilized, without toxic side-effects.
Here is a link for your comparison: http://www.grownbynature.com/#!online-store/c1t5i/!/Childrens-Multi-Vitamin-&-Mineral-Re-Natured%C2%AE/p/29767390/category=7020071
Sources:
2)http://gbn.grownbynature.com/truthinsupplements.pdf (Merck Index: an encyclopedia of drugs, chemicals and biologicals. 1996)
3)http://labeling.bayercare.com/omr/online/flintstones-gummies.pdf
4)https://www.mothersselect.com/lil-gummies-multi-vitamin.html#horizontalTab2
*Special Note: Re-Natured® is a registered trademark belonging to the Grow Company, Inc.wiith all rights reserved. www.growco.us **These Products, statements, and Programs have not been evaluated by the FDA. These Products and Programs are not intended to treat, cure, or prevent, or diagnose any diseases. As with all of our products and programs, you should always consult with a physician before taking on any new health program or using any new dietary supplement.
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