multivitamin syrup

A multivitamin syrup is a combination of different Vitamins and Minerals that are used to supplement the diet. Multivitamin syrup benefits are many and they are the best way to add health and vitality to life. Syrups are generally given to children who cannot swallow pills and capsules. The nutrients are also found in food in its natural state, but various reasons may lead to an inability to access them through food.

Illness, poor nutrition, pregnancy and digestive issues may cause you to be unable to absorb the nutrients leading to Vitamin deficiencies. The therapeutic and maintenance need for a multivitamin is to make the vitamins available to the body in case of a deficiency.

What are Multivitamins?

An optimal mix of vitamins in a medicine form is what goes into multivitamin syrup. Vitamins A, B complex, C, D, E, and K are needed by the human body in calibrated amounts to keep it healthy. Most multivitamins also contain minerals that are needed by the body to help it function smoothly.

Multivitamin syrups are generally advised to children. They keep the child safe from any nutrition deficiencies. They boost immunity and aid growth. You need to ask your doctor to prescribe the one suited best for your child. It is not wise to take the medication without medical advice as an overdose of certain vitamins and minerals can cause toxic reactions in the body.

Syrups that are formulated for children are different from the ones produced for adults. Adults need a different dose than children and so the formulation is very different vis-à-vis the amount of the vitamins and minerals present in the medication. Each individual needs to take a specific combination that suits their requirement. Only a doctor can prescribe the cocktail of nutrients that are suited to you or your child.

What are the rules that govern multivitamin syrup usage?

Your doctor will advise you on the exact dose that you need when you start multivitamins. Some generic multivitamins are available over the counter. You should take them for maintaining good health strictly as advised on the label of the bottle.

Always take the recommended dose as being overzealous about taking multivitamin syrups can lead to dangerous results. It is never advised to take more than one multivitamin formulation as even small amounts that are duplicated may lead to overdose. There can be toxicity and severe side effects in such cases. It is especially true for Vitamins A, D, E and K as they are fat soluble.

Many brands contain minerals like calcium, potassium, zinc, potassium, magnesium, and iron. Some minerals can also cause toxicity when taken in larger doses. Stomach irritation, nausea, increased urination, teeth staining; muscle weakness, blurred eyesight and even arrhythmia can be the end results of vitamin and mineral overdose. It cannot be stressed enough that you must take a multivitamin syrup only after proper medical advice.

Other factors that you need to take care of when taking your daily health booster are:

  • Drinking a tall glass of water along with your multivitamins is highly recommended.
  • It is not advisable to mix the syrup in milk or juice.
  • It is better to use a dosing syringe or measuring spoon to dole out the multivitamin syrups. A kitchen spoon is often inaccurate. It can lead to overdosing or under-dosing a small child.
  • It is vital that you take the multivitamin regularly as per prescription. Multivitamin syrup benefits health only if you are regular with its use.
  • The bottle should be stored away from direct sunlight and at room temperature. Try and keep it away from moisture too!
  • The bottle should be kept intact. Do take care not to pour out the syrup into another bottle as it may ruin the efficacy.
  • Never take calcium rich foods or dairy with your vitamins. Calcium may make absorption of other vitamins and minerals difficult and you will not get the same result.
  • The multivitamin syrup uses can be benefitted from only if you use the bottle within the expiry date. It is crucial that you check the label for ‘best before date’ when you buy it.
  • Organic and natural multivitamin syrups made without added sugar and color are the best.
  • Always look for well-packaged syrups. A bad packing may indicate poor quality and inadequate labelling.

How do Multivitamin syrups keep you healthy?

Multivitamin syrups uses are multiple. They supply you with all the nutrients that your body needs to be healthy. They also provide antioxidant properties to the body that reduces free radical damage and improves immunity. A robust immune system is the best way to ward off diseases. If your child is not prone to infections, you will find their growth is also optimal. You will find extra reserves of energy in your child as he/she becomes more active.

Surprisingly, multivitamin syrups are very helpful when you are trying to lose weight.  Modern day children tend to gravitate towards fast food that makes them put on excess weight. Specific vitamins curb the appetite and help you shed the extra kilos more easily.

You might find that memory is enhanced when you are ingesting the right multivitamin syrup. This fact is especially true for children. Some vitamin deficiencies may aggravate memory loss. Adequate amounts of vitamins, iron and magnesium in the diet, supplemented with prescription multivitamins can be a memory booster.

Children are often fussy about food and may be eating fewer fruits and vegetables than they ideally should. Supplementary multivitamin syrups can be the perfect answer to a well-balanced diet. 

Which nutrients should your multivitamin syrup have?

The first step is to see whether your chosen multivitamin has the necessary certification that classifies it as genuine. Every country has its own certification body. Do not be fooled by the labelling. Some companies do not clarify what is the exact amount of each vitamin in the formulation. It is better to avoid such medicines. The Food and Drug authority along with other boards are the regulatory bodies that determine the efficacy and safety of these multivitamin syrups.

You must check the amount of each nutrient against the daily recommended value of the same. Choose one that gives you close to 100% nutrition value as per the guidelines set. Do not be over zealous and try to choose a brand that gives you more than the recommended amount. That could be dangerous as over the recommended dose of some vitamins can actually do more harm than good.

Your age, gender and weight determines the amount of multivitamin syrup needed. The dietary requirements of a 35 year old cannot be the same as an active 25 year old. The need of the nutrient also depends on the state of physical health of the individual. It is best left to a doctor to ascertain which multivitamin you need on a daily basis. The doctor will also be able to guide you on how many days the course should be continued.

Essential Vitamins and minerals

A healthy body needs nutrients in balance. There are some major nutrients and some trace minerals that are necessary for optimal health. The multivitamin syrup benefits are enhanced when your bottle contains the following:

  • Folate
  • Thiamine
  • Niacin
  • Riboflavin
  • Vitamin B6
  • Vitamin B12
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin D3
  • Vitamin A or Beta Carotene
  • Vitamin E
  • Vitamin K
  • Calcium
  • Potassium
  • Magnesium
  • Iron
  • Selenium
  • Zinc

It is vital that you have the supplement along with a balanced and wholesome diet, plenty of fiber and stay hydrated for best results. Some more trace minerals and nutrients are available in the supplements and you can ask your doctor which one suits you the best. Multivitamin syrups can be synthetically prepared or you can also choose natural ones prescribed by Ayurveda.

Multivitamin syrup uses cannot be disregarded whether you need it as a therapeutic or as a maintenance dose to keep your system buzzing.

What are the side effects of multivitamin syrups?

The side effects of over dose of multivitamins are well documented. There can be other lesser known side effects too. Some individuals may be allergic to specific vitamins. Some of the known symptoms of an allergic reaction are hives, swelling of throat, lips and tongue. In severe cases there may be difficulty in breathing.

Gastrointestinal complaints are more common, but usually settle down within a week or so. If your complaints persist, it is best to see the doctor to check if your multivitamin syrup is the cause. The syrup may also give a metallic or unpleasant taste to your mouth. Headaches have also been reported in some cases.

There might be other mild reactions to multivitamins too. It is advised that you get medical help as soon as you see any issues when you start a new medication. It is best that you tell your doctor about all the prescription medicines you are taking regularly. Some Vitamins and minerals may interfere with the absorption of medications and cause health issues.

As with any other medication, it is very important that you start any multivitamin syrup only after consulting with a doctor.

Conclusion

The jury is still out on whether multivitamin syrups are needed by all. Many studies show that poor nutrition due to lack of a well-balanced diet is rampant across the globe today. Many foods that we consume are also not up to par in the nutritional content due to quality issues. This is truer in developing nations as farming techniques are quite antiquated and over farming may rob food of the nutrients it is purported to deliver.

Children need adequate nutrition in the growing years. Fussy eaters may develop vitamin and nutritional deficiencies that may stunt growth and cause other health issues that arise out of malnutrition.

It can be safely concluded that it is a good idea to add the multivitamin syrup benefits to your daily routine after consulting with your medical practitioner.

FAQ

1. How should I take multivitamins syrup?

Take multivitamin syrups as prescribed by the physician. Avoid mixing with juice or milk. It is better to have a glass of water along with the supplement. It is best to take the supplement after food.

2. What should I avoid while taking multivitamins oral?

If your multivitamin syrup contains potassium it is best to avoid salt substitutes in your food. If you take a salt restricted diet it is a good idea to check with your doctor before taking a new multivitamin or mineral supplement. Calcium, dairy and antacids may also obstruct the absorption of the vitamins in your system. It is best to check with your doctor about any specific dietary restrictions that you need to observe with a specific multivitamin.

3. Does multivitamin oral interact with other drugs?

Some multivitamins can affect the absorption of bisphosphonates like alendronate, quinolone, levodopa, penicillamine, thyroid medications, and some antibiotics like levoflaxin, ciproflaxin and others. Tetracycline based drugs like doxycycline and minocycline absorption can also be hampered by some multivitamin syrups. Always check with your doctor when you add a supplement to your regime.

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