Does your neon yellow pee glow in the dark thanks to your daily multivitamin? Do you often wonder if you are simply shelling out money to color your urine or if you are actually getting any good from your supplements? You are not alone in your dismay and wonder. In addition many of you may be uncertain if you should or should not be giving your children vitamins. Let’s chip away at this supplement conundrum once and for all ladies!
If you are like me and many of my patients, you want to be healthy, and you want a happy healthy family. This is even more important as we enter the flu season. Stacking your immunologic deck from the start is the best way to ensure that if you or your family gets sick; your illness course will be brief and uncomplicated.
The individual cards in your deck will be built from good nutrition and a strong immune system. Bar none, the best place to get proper nutrition is from food, not supplements. Unfortunately, this is not always possible especially for your all too picky toddlers, pizza loving teens, and crazy busy schedules. Case in point, my middle son may in fact be the pickiest child to ever walk the earth.
Dr. Rebecca Muminovic
I have been in the “green stuff” battle with him for all four years of his life. In fact, he eats the least varied diet and tends to be the sickest of my children. (Thank you sweetheart for proving mommy’s point.) I have learned not to push him too much and he ventures out some now on his own, but in the meantime he gets a daily multivitamin.
So if getting nutrients and vitamins from food is the best, then what is the best diet?
A Mediterranean diet rich in super foods is the best diet for overall health including immune system strength. Dark leafy greens and bright fruits and vegetables all are packed with essential nutrients and should be part of your daily intake. Remember also that raw or steamed foods have a higher nutrient content than heavily cooked foods, and frying should be avoided like the plague. Varying your diet is the key and filling it with whole grains, lean protein, and yummy super foods will lead you and your family down the path of good health. Here is a link for a Mediterranean food pyramid I like, and here is a link to find more about super foods.
I of course realize that most kids no matter what age are not going to care about super foods and whole grains. If you feel that your child is not eating a rich varied diet then find a good supplement that is age appropriate. Stay away from gummy vitamin preparations which have a higher rate of dental decay. Keep in mind, smoothies are a good way to get super fruits and some disguised super vegetables in. Be creative and sneaky! Mauahhhh!
For adults, a multivitamin will not in most cases harm you. However, it is important to check with your doctor before starting any supplements. Depending on your individual needs a multivitamin may not be rich enough in certain nutrients your body needs. Some examples include vitamin D, calcium, and omega 3 oils which usually fall short in multivitamins. Take the time to touch base with your health care provider to get a place to start from and do not blindly believe that a multivitamin will cover all the important bases. Very often they do not. Of course if you are planning a pregnancy or are breastfeeding be sure to take a prenatal vitamin daily.
Other key points that bear mentioning and will help keep you healthy this flu season are:
-Always wash your hands and your children’s hands prior to eating
-Wipe down the grocery carts and high chairs in restaurants
-Avoid fast food and mall type play centers during flu season
-Use common sense with your own family if one of them is sick.
Having stayed at home with my eldest son, I know the lure of a play date or birthday party to give you a much deserved break, however if your child is sick, stay home. A case of the sniffles in your child that is playing with a full deck of nutrients thanks to their proactive mom, may be a full blown case of the flu in another child. Lastly and very importantly, have all members of your household immunized for influenza. This is important for all families but is critical for those with very small infants not old enough for the vaccination themselves.
As always, I will shout it from the mountain top…TAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF! If you don’t take care of yourself first you cannot take care of others. Taking care of yourself body, mind, and spirit will teach your children to do the same as they grow into accomplished fulfilled adults.
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