I get asked this question a lot. I guess the reason why we question whether or not children need a multivitamin is because, in general, kids are pretty healthy. We usually do not start thinking about taking a multivitamin until we start feeling less than young.

The best way for me to answer this question is by having you ask yourself a number of questions. First, why would you take a multivitamin in the first place? The answer is that you take one to supplement your intake of nutrients from the foods you eat just in case you have a hidden deficiency that could lead to a health problem down the road. The development of these deficiencies depends on a great number of factors including your diet and toxic exposures (pesticides in foods, preservatives, chemicals, etc), to name only two.

So, the second question is: Do your children eat a diet high in vitamin and mineral rich fresh vegetables and fruits? (Fruit flavored juice boxes do not count!) The answer for the vast majority of us is that our kids live on tasty cereals, Mac N’ Cheese and hot dogs. I think that most would agree that their nutrient intake is typically less than optimal.

The third question is: Are your children exposed to toxins from such things as carpeting, plastics, pesticides in food, preservatives, food colorings, room deodorants, lawn fertilizers, prescription & over-the-counter drugs, etc, etc? They most certainly are exposed and the body uses large amounts of vitamins and minerals to detoxify these substances from our system. This creates a condition where the need for proper nutrient intake is increased.

The final question is: Would the majority of children be well served taking a multivitamin? I know what my answer is.