New iron and vitamin D supplement launched for children’s health boost
Around 40% of children under 5 are low in iron, according to the World Health Organisation1, which may affect their energy levels and optimum immune function.
New Active Iron Kids can help provide a solution to low iron levels in children, helping restore energy. The new one-a-day blackcurrant flavoured chew will please both parents and children, especially those who are fussy eaters.
It's not always easy for children to get the nutrition they need, especially the picky eaters who don't eat a varied diet, Eimear Daly, Medical Marketing Manager for Active Iron, and a qualified nutritional scientist, says.
“Growing children need to get iron from the foods they eat, ideally with a varied diet and a healthy lifestyle. If they don’t eat iron-rich foods, and need help fighting tiredness, or are frequently unwell, then supplementing iron with a child-friendly chew makes sense.”
Adequate iron intake is essential for normal growth and development, but because children have rapid growth requirements, iron is the most common micronutrient shortage in children, Eimear Daly adds.
Fresh meat, especially beef, lamb, pork and poultry, is a good source of iron, which children ideally need three or four times a week. Other sources are eggs, peas, beans and lentils, and green leafy vegetables, such as spinach and broccoli. Breakfast cereals with added iron also help, and can be topped with berries or orange segments, containing vitamin C, to help absorb the iron.
Active Iron Kids also contains vitamin D, which is essential for keeping bones, teeth, and muscles healthy and helping support healthy immune system function in children.
Limited sunlight, sunscreen use, and spending a lot of time indoors, especially in winter, impact children’s ability to produce vitamin D naturally.
Most young Irish children do not get enough vitamin D through their diet alone, especially in the winter when they cannot get extra from the sun3. A recent study found that up to 1 in 4 children in Dublin were Vitamin D deficient.
Pharmacist, mum and wellbeing authority, Jess Redden, says children’s meals should include good sources of iron such as meat, fish, eggs or beans.
“Children’s iron levels can be maintained with good quality animal and plant-based sources of iron. Adventurous children may appreciate some fish, green veg, spinach or butter beans, however for fussy eaters it can be a challenge to get iron into their diet.
Traditionally, few options have been available for those showing signs of tiredness, lack of energy, or a weakened immune function. The new Active Iron Kids supplement of iron and vitamin D will help increase iron levels as well as support the healthy development of bones and teeth. “
Active Iron is a leading nutrition supplement for adults, from a Cork-based healthcare development company. The new Active Iron Kids formulation is similarly kind on the stomach, while helping support iron levels. Each one-a-day blackcurrant chew contains 7mg of non-constipating iron, plus 10µg vitamin D, providing important nutritional support to children.
Suitable for children aged 4+, Active Iron Kids, produced by Solvotrin Therapeutics, is available in pharmacies, or on activeiron.com/product/active-iron-kids/, priced from €19.99 for a thirty-day supply.
Visit activeiron.com to learn more. Food supplements are not a substitute for a varied diet and a healthy lifestyle.