Top Selling Supplements for the Winter

For many, winter can mean long cold weather, little sunshine, and less exercise—all of which can affect a person’s immune system negatively. That’s why supplement distributors will often see changes in product sales patterns as their customers make an effort to meet the special nutritional needs of the season.

During colder months, consumers are likely to seek supplements that improve immunity, protect hair and skin from extreme conditions, and assist with weight loss. Distributors who can fulfill these special demands will soon discover that their sales and profits will see significant growth, resulting in stronger return on investment (ROI) for their business.

Although single letter vitamins such as vitamin C can be effective in warding off winter illnesses, a multivitamin provides comprehensive support and ultimately offers better convenience for the end user. In developing a multivitamin product, distributors are advised to consider formulations that contain unique ingredients to differentiate themselves from competitors. For instance, a multivitamin with herbal extracts sourced from ginseng or ginko can help a supplement stand out in the marketplace.

Aside from selling unique multivitamins, partnering with a leading vitamin manufacturer is the surest way to rise above the competition. For more information on winter’s top-selling supplements, call these manufacturers today.

Get to Know Vitamin B3

Vitamin B3 is one of the eight B vitamins. Also known as niacin, B3 is an essential vitamin because it helps in the proper breakdown of protein and fat. Higher amounts of niacin are known to improve cholesterol levels and minimize cardiovascular risks. The vitamin also helps the body produce various sex and stress-related hormones necessary for a healthy liver, skin, and eyes.

Although Vitamin B3 deficiency is rare in developed countries, the possibility remains. In the U.S., alcoholism is the number one cause of vitamin B3 deficiency. Symptoms of mild deficiency include canker sores, fatigue, vomiting, indigestion, and depression. Severe deficiency can lead to a condition called pellagra, which is characterized by cracked and scaly skin, diarrhea, and dementia. Symptoms of vitamin B3 deficiency can often be treated with proper diet and supplementation.

High doses of B3 are available by prescription. However, B3 can be toxic at extremely high doses. Individuals are advised not to take more than the recommended daily allowance (RDA) unless prescribed by a physician.

Vitamin B3 is available in different supplement forms including niacin, niacinamide, and inositol hexaniacinate. Supplements can be purchased in tablet or capsule form. Doctors recommend regular liver tests when the vitamin is taken in high doses.

Essential Vitamins and Minerals for Pregnant Women

It is no secret that a pregnant woman shares the vitamins and minerals she ingests with the child she is carrying. Therefore, it is important that a pregnant woman have a balanced and healthy diet. However, this is often easier said than done.

Fortunately, reputable vitamin manufacturers create vitamin supplements for pregnant women. These supplements help them get the vitamins and minerals they need to have a healthy pregnancy. Essential vitamins and minerals for pregnant women include:

Calcium

For the same reason children are advised to drink milk, pregnant women should consume calcium-rich food to help their child’s bones develop. Additionally, calcium helps muscle and nerve function in the child. Calcium also reduces the risk of blood clots.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is often associated with helping a person ward off illnesses. In addition to the immunity boost it provides, vitamin C helps a pregnant woman and her child absorb iron more effectively. This results in healthier blood cells and better oxygen flow.

Folic Acid

Folic acid helps prevent neural tube birth defects, a pregnancy threat that typically develops during the first 28 days after the baby has been conceived. A healthy amount of folic acid also helps support the placenta.

Tips on Selecting a Multivitamin for Your Child

Many children suffer from vitamin deficiency, thanks to their picky eating habits and unhealthy diets, among other reasons. Fortunately, children can make up for the vitamins they miss out on by taking vitamin supplements.

However, selecting a multivitamin can be difficult due to the many choices available. When checking the label of a multivitamin, remember to be on the lookout for the following details:

Content

Be sure to choose a multivitamin that is as complete as possible. At the very least, make sure that the multivitamin you get contains vitamin C, the different types of vitamin B, and vitamin K, as these are essential to proper growth and development.

Percentages

After checking the content of the multivitamin, check the percentage levels of each ingredient. These percentages often represent the daily value of each vitamin. Try to select a multivitamin that has 100 percent listed for the essential vitamins previously mentioned.

Extras

Most multivitamins will come with extras such as probiotics and antioxidants. While these extras are not essential, they offer several benefits, such as better digestion.

If you are unsure about what to choose among the vitamins available on the market, you can ask for a recommendation from a doctor. You can also look into contacting a custom vitamin manufacturer.

Common Vitamin Deficiencies in Children

Vitamin deficiency is a common problem among children in the United States. The following is a short list of common vitamin deficiencies that children develop:

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is oftentimes the vitamin that children lack the most. Many experts have pointed to the rise of video games as a reason why this is so, as children who remain cooped indoors playing these do not get enough exposure to sunlight, the body’s main source of vitamin D. Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include irritability and delayed growth.

Vitamin C

Insufficient amounts of vitamin C can cause children to have poor appetites, joint pain, and frequent nose bleeds. Severe vitamin C deficiency can cause scurvy. This problem can easily be prevented by eating vitamin C-rich foods such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, and broccoli.

Vitamin A

Children lacking vitamin A typically feel weakness and fatigue faster than children who receive adequate amounts of the vitamin. If vitamin A deficiency is left ignored, children can develop symptoms such as night blindness, scaling of the skin, and respiratory infections.

Unhealthy diets and picky eating habits are typically the main culprits in vitamin deficiency cases among children. Fortunately, using vitamin supplements can easily prevent them from developing any ill effects that a vitamin deficiency can cause. As such, be sure to give chewable multivitamins to your children to keep them happy and healthy.

Vitamin C—RDA and Deficiency

Vitamin C—a.k.a. ascorbic acid—is a water-soluble vitamin that is an integral part of the human diet. It is abundant in many fruits and vegetables, but fish, fresh milk and meats such as liver and kidney have it as well. With the vitamin so commonly and readily available, meeting the recommended daily allowance (RDA) shouldn’t be an issue.

RDA of vitamin C

The RDA of vitamin C for men is 90mg, and for women 75mg. Pregnant women, however, should take an additional 10mg, while breastfeeding women need to consume 45mg more of the vitamin daily. Current RDA guidelines require smokers to take at least 100mg of vitamin C per day.

Deficiency

Severe vitamin C deficiency results in scurvy—an illness characterized by bleeding gums and tiny pinpoint bruises. The disease can worsen to the point wherein it causes poor wound healing and abnormal bone and dentine formation. Since an intake of 10mg of vitamin C a day is enough to prevent scurvy, the disease is rarely seen today.

The adverse effects of mild vitamin C deficiency are yet unknown. Stored vitamin C in the body can be depleted within one to three months. People who are vitamin C-deficient may also have other vitamin deficiencies and malnutrition.