"Liquid Health"

[Carrieskids]

I unfortunately have 2 children who are "unable" to swallow pills so I have been in search of a good liquid vitamin. I have come acrossed this Liquid Health which have Children's Multi and a liquid called "Attention". The ingredients look better to me then most MVI's I have seen. Has anyone seen or used these products? We received them in the mail yesterday and surprisingly they both like it ( that is a miracle!).
Carrieskids

[catatonic]

For those who want to take a look:

"Attention"
www.suncoastherbs.com/liquid-health/attention.asp

"Children's Multiple"
www.suncoastherbs.com/liquid-health/childrens-multiple-vitamin.asp

Both of these look like solid supplements. A couple of things you might want to keep in mind (not that any of them are necessarily problems, just things to consider)...

On the Children's Multiple:
-- the essential fatty acids come from borage oil. That means they are all in the short-chain form and the body must build long-chains from them.
-- zinc-to-copper ratio is a little off. Recommended is 15mg zinc to 1mg copper. This contains 5mg zinc to 1mg copper.
-- Vitamin E is low at 60IU. You'd probably want to use a separate Vitamin E in addition.
-- unlike the "Attention" supplement, this one does not say "Contains no artificial colors or flavors." Does this mean there are artificials in it? (I don't know.)

On the "Attention":
-- as with the Children's Multi, the essential fatty acids here are from borage oil, short-chain.
-- excellent magnesium chelate content
-- there is no Vitamin E in here. You'd need a separate Vitamin E.
-- trace minerals are lacking

I agree that these both look better than most of the children's formulas out there. Let us know how your kids do on them.

[Kimmers]

Cat-

These look awesome and I would definitely consider using them! However, I would have a couple of questions first:

1. How would you suggest getting the right fatty acids? Is there something you can give that will help them convert them into long-chain if they can't do it on their own or would you just give an extra supplement like fish oil?

2. How would you alter the zinc to copper ratio? Would you just give an extra zinc supplement?

3. If the two were given together daily, would the Children's Multiple then make up for the trace minerals that are lacking?

4. What other things would you keep giving or add in addition to, that these products are lacking? According to the things my son is taking now, we could eliminate ALOT of things. For instance, right now we could get rid of:

* (3) Fish oil capsules, considering that he could convert his own fatty acids and we wouldn't have to give anything else to compensate
* (2) Magnesium tablets
* (1) Tyrosine capsule
* (1) EPO capsule, since the GLA is included in the Children's Multiple
* (1) Multi-vitamin tablet (obviously)
* (1) Vitamin C tablet
* (1) Lecithin capsule

That would be an elimination of 10 pills a day-that would be AWESOME! He would then only need to keep taking 3 pills a day-he would SO love me for that.

The one drawback would be if the Multiple does in fact contain artificial colors and preservatives. No-no on Feingold! Also the cost-these 2 products would be about double what we are currently spending. (Roughly $60 every 2 months as opposed to $60 a month for these.)

I guess I am just interested in your opinion Cat (or anyone) on the things I had asked-

Thanks!
Kimmers

[Carrieskids]

F.Y.I.- Getvitamins.com has them cheaper. The bottle says it has "Natural Flavorings". We aren't doing the Feingold so I don't know what is considered good or not. They do recommend that if you take the Attention that you should also take the Multi.

[Kimmers]

Carrieskids-

I couldn't find the products at getvitamins.com-doyou have a link that will take you right to the products?

I also found a good price at www.enknatural.com although I have never ordered from this company so I don't know what kind of service they offer. I just might order from them though if I don't find something cheaper.

Childrens Multiple
store.yahoo.com/enkuerosnet/300068.html

Attention
store.yahoo.com/enkuerosnet/300066.html

Kimmers

[catatonic]

Kimmers,
If it were me using these vitamins, I'd continue to use fish oil as well. Maybe try it for a month without any additional fish oil, or with just one additional fish oil capsule each morning, and see what happens.

The rest of the supplements you list -- you certainly could get rid of them. And if you're using the two together, then the lack of minerals in one isn't a problem since they're in the other one.

As to the zinc/copper problem, I guess you'd just have to live with it. Unless your child has elevated copper it shouldn't pose too great a concern. You could add a separate zinc tablet, although I don't think I'd bother. Typical zinc tablets are 50mg and that's too high for a routine supplement.

I would check with the manufacturer to make sure that the Children's Multi liquid is indeed free of artificials.

I think that if the cost doesn't put you off, these are very kid-friendly.

[DenverSarah]

Just in case these don't work for you there is a capsule from Freeda that is tiny. If the size is the issue when it comes to swallowing this may be another option. They are called vitalets and are about 1/2 the size if a tic tac (but round instead of oval).

[Kimmers]

Thanks Cat,

Just what I needed to know. BTW, I went to Liquid Health's website and it says the Children's Multiple IS free from all additives, etc. which is good, good news!

To check for yourself:
www.liquidhealthinc.com/products.htm

I think this is worth a shot for us. Since we are seeing results that are fair to party cloudy, I am not afraid to change things. If we were doing very well, I definitely would not be looking to change anything! Thanks Carrieskids for sharing the info!

Kimmers