Kids vitamins are supposed to be healthy, right? Well, not when it comes to the #1 pediatrician recommended brand – Flinstone vitamins. Made by the billion dollar drug company Bayer, this ultra popular brand uses a shocking list of unhealthy ingredients. These vitamins are very toxic and harming your kids.
TOXIC INGREDIENTS IN FLINTSTONE VITAMINS:
Active Ingredients: Per Tablet: Total Carbohydrate < 1 g; Vitamin A (33% as Beta-Carotene) 3000 IU; Vitamin C 60 mg; Vitamin D 400 IU; Vitamin E 30 IU; Thiamin (B1) 1.5 mg; Riboflavin (B2) 1.7 mg; Niacin 15 mg; Vitamin B6 2 mg; Folic Acid 400 mcg; Vitamin B12 6 mcg; Biotin 40 mcg; Pantothenic Acid 10 mg; Calcium (Elemental) 100 mg; Iron 18 mg; Phosphorus 100 mg; Iodine 150 mcg; Magnesium 20 mg; Zinc 12 mg; Copper 2 mg; Sodium 10 mg; Choline 38 mg; Sorbitol; Dicalcium Phosphate; Magnesium Phosphate; Choline Bitartrate; Sodium Ascorbate; Ferrous Fumarate; Gelatin; Natural and Artificial Flavors (Including Fruit Acids); Pregelatinized Starch; Vitamin E Acetate; Stearic Acid; Carrageenan; Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (Soybean, Castor); Magnesium Stearate; Zinc Oxide; Niacinamide; Calcium Pantothenate; FD&C Red 40 Lake; D-Calcium Pantothenate; FD&C Yellow 6 Lake; Xylitol; Aspartame** (a Sweetener); Xylitol; FD&C Blue 2 Lake; Cupric Oxide; Pyridoxine Hydrochloride; Sucrose; Thiamine Mononitrate; Vitamin A Acetate; Monoammonium Glycyrrhizinate; Potassium Iodide; Magnesium Oxide.
SORBITOL
Sorbitol is a synthetic sugar substitute which is classified as a sugar alcohol. It should never be a part of anybody’s diet much less a child’s. The consumption of higher amounts have been linked to gastrointestinal problems from abdominal pain to more serious conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome.
MAGNESIUM STEARATE
Magnesium stearate is a synthetic additive and due to this fact, the body does not have a natural mechanism in place for utilizing it. It can cause liver toxicity and skin irritation.
CARRAGEENAN
In studies of animals, carrageenan was found to cause cancers and ulcers in animals. More studies showed that it can also contribute to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and breast cancer.
Artificial Colors
Flintstone Vitamins contain multiple artificial colors. The worst two are Red#40 and Yellow #6. In the UK, artificial colorings are actually banned, and in the EU foods with artificial colors have to have a warning label saying that they “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.”
HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OIL (SOYBEAN, CASTOR)
These are highly unstable, highly inflammatory oils. Hydrogenated oil may cause cancer, obesity, asthma, diabetes, heart disease, decreased immune system, increased bad cholesterol and reproductive problems. Many of these issues are directly related to the trans fats that remain in the partially hydrogenated oil.
What kind of vitamins should I give my children?
Do your due diligence and make sure every ingredient is safe. However, eating whole foods gives your child a much better source of nutrients than synthetic forms of vitamins and minerals.