How Much Iron Is in a Flintstone Vitamin?
Iron is a very important mineral for growing to children because it is essential for the production of red blood cells that carry oxygen around the body. The World Health Organization reports that as high as 80 percent of the population may be iron deficient with 30 percent having iron-deficiency anemia.
Iron is a very important mineral for growing to children because it is essential for the production of red blood cells that carry oxygen around the body. The World Health Organization reports that as high as 80 percent of the population may be iron deficient with 30 percent having iron-deficiency anemia. Children are particularly prone to iron-deficiency anemia because they tend to eat more processed meats and fruit as opposed to natural red meats and leafy green vegetables which contain iron. This is where a supplement such as Flintstones may be warranted.
Different types of Flintstones Vitamins
Bayer Health Care has formulated a line of four main types of Flintstones vitamins for children at different ages and eating habits. Not all Flintstones products contain iron. For example My First Flintstones and Flintstones Gummies are devoid of this mineral. For support of healthy immune function, Flintstones Plus Iron has 15 milligrams of iron, and Flintstones Complete has 18 milligrams -- 100% of the daily requirement for a child age 4 years and up. Before giving this supplement to your child, read the label. Children age 2 to 3 years old require only half a tablet per day. Consult your pediatrician or registered nutritionist if you are unsure if your child needs a supplemental source of iron.
Signs of Iron Deficiency
Dietary iron exists in two forms, heme and non-heme. Heme iron from red meat, organ meats, egg yolks, dark poultry meat and some shellfish is more bioavailable than non-heme iron from beans, seeds and nuts, and leafy green vegetables. Low dietary intake of iron is associated with iron-deficiency anemia, a common health issue in children. A child who may anemic due to lack of iron feels tired and often has decreased attention and ability to do well at school. They may also be more susceptible to infections such as colds and flu.
Forms of Supplemental Iron
In supplements, iron is either in ferrous or ferric form. Ferrous iron includes ferrous fumarate,the form of iron found in Flintstones. This form of iron is highly absorbed, but absorption decreases as the dose increases. Hence, less is more, and breaking a vitamin tablet, and splitting up the full dosage is highly recommended.
Toxicity
Iron supplements should only be taken under the advise of a physician because it is possible to cause permanent damage to organs through iron overload.