Originally, gummy vitamins were made to be more palatable as a way to get children to take nutritional supplements. They were made for people who find it hard to take a pill or are feeling nauseous. As time went by, these sweet, chewable supplements became more popular, not only to children but also to adults.
However, improving the taste of supplements come with a price. Supplements that taste like a treat come with the risk that people will overeat them. These supplements also have some sugar in them. (Related: Children's vitamins largely made of sugar and corn syrup.)
If people would treat gummy vitamins as a treat and eat too many of them, there is a tendency that they may overdose on vitamins, which could be dangerous. Experts recommend a minimum and ideal daily intake of different vitamins and minerals for this reason. In the U.S. alone, more than 60,000 cases of vitamin toxicity are reported each year.
Overdosing on vitamin C can result in severe diarrhea, with symptoms of stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting. This could also occur if there is too much iron and magnesium. Too much selenium or vitamin A causes hair loss and dry skin.
Overdosing on vitamin D can lead to more serious side effects, making it one of the most highly toxic nutrients when ingested in excess amounts. It could result in hypercalcemia, which can potentially cause kidney stones and cognitive problems.
Most forms of B vitamins may be safe in excess levels, except for vitamin B6 and vitamin B3 (niacin). Too much vitamin B6 may lead to nerve damage, while excess vitamin B3 may result in flushing of the skin, in which the skin becomes red, warm, and has a burning feeling.
Dietitian and nutrition blogger Abbey Sharp suggested focusing only on a few essential nutrients that may be lacking in your diet, such as vitamin D and omega 3, instead of taking various gummy vitamins for taste.
Tips on choosing the right supplements
There are many varieties of supplements in the market, but which type or brand should you choose? Here are some tips on choosing supplements:
- Avoid supplements that contain both calcium and iron: Calcium and iron are best taken separately. This is because calcium can affect the absorption of iron. Therefore, it is best to choose a supplement or multivitamin that contains just one of these minerals. You can take an additional supplement containing the other at another time.
- Select those with activated forms of nutrients: It is better to take nutrients in their active form because the body would not have a problem converting them into their activated forms. In addition, they are often better absorbed in their active forms.
- Avoid synthetic folic acid: When choosing supplements, pick the one that contains natural folate instead of synthetic folic acid.
- Select multivitamins that have a vitamin E complex: There are many types of vitamin E: alpha, beta delta, and gamma. To make sure that you are getting every type of vitamin E, check the label if vitamin E is labeled as mixed tocopherols.
- Check for additives and fillers: Avoid buying supplements that contain added synthetic colors, fillers, and ingredients that you don’t recognize or understand as these can be harmful to health. It is best to buy clean and natural products instead.
Read more news stories and studies on nutritional supplements by going to SupplementsReport.com.
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