With the bewildering number of vitamin and herbal supplements out there, I am often confused as to a product’s exact ingredients, and sometimes its basic purity and safety. And as long as a supplement does not claim to “diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease,” its label can make claims of almost any sort, e.g. giving your kids straight A’s.
It is up to us then, parents and pediatricians, to do our best in deciding which supplements are necessary, in what amounts, and which products are safe, pure, and actually deliver what is on their labels. I thought it might be helpful to share those resources which I use regularly, are generally highly regarded, but about which some parents may be unaware.
The excellent Dietary Supplements Labels Database maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine is a solid resource with an exhausting list of specific brands of vitamin and herbal supplements, including their ingredients and manufacturer information, along with very informative data sheets for many specific vitamins, the data sheet on Calcium being an excellent example. The Product Information page will also list whether it has passed independent product review testing by ConsumerLab.comor USP. The Environmental Defense Fund provides an additional resource discussing the safety of fish oil supplements.
Please feel free to discuss any medications or supplements your child is taking with your doctor anytime, and remember to include these and over-the-counter medicines in your child’s medication list if seen away from home. (March 2018)
Dr. Sky Pittson
