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If I had to pick one topic that comes up most on the MTHFR Kids Facebook Group it’s multivitamins. It can be incredibly frustrating trying to find the right supplements for these MTHFR kiddos, and manufacturers and the FDA don’t make it easy on us.
Finding an MTHFR Kids Multivitamin
Many products contain synthetic forms of vitamins, which can be problematic for those with an MTHFR mutation. One of the most well known is folic acid, the synthetic form of folate (B9). Avoiding foods and supplements that contain folic acid is often the first thing people address because it’s an easy thing to identify. Usually.
What complicates matters is when supplement labels use the term “folate.” We love folate. We want folate. Folate is great! Except that is, when the folate is in fact folic acid. Boo!
The FDA currently allows companies to label synthetic folic acid as folate without any disclosure required to indicate that the source is actually folic acid. However, recently updated FDA regulations on food labeling have indicated that foods and supplements will all be labeled folate, and if folic acid is in the product it must appear in parenthesis alongside. This will make it much easier for those of us trying to avoid synthetic folic acid. (Manufacturers will have until July 26, 2018 to comply, and manufacturers with less than $10 million in annual food sales will have until July 26, 2019 to make the changes.)
Folate and Methylfolate
As I said above, folate is great. However! It’s not enough for those with this mutation to only consume folate. Remember, with an MTHFR mutation, the body’s ability to convert folate into a form it can use is reduced. Methylfolate is the form of folate that has already been converted and can be used by the body immediately. When looking for a vitamin, it’s important to look for one with an active form of folate/methylfolate.
A note on California Prop 65 Warnings
On the Facebook Group and through internet research, the subject of California Prop 65 Warning labels on these vitamin bottles occasionally comes up. California Prop 65 is a safe water and drinking act that is in place to notify consumers when harmful toxins or chemicals are in products or if they are released in an environment. (For example, the gym I go to has a warning notice posted on the wall.) The concern with these vitamins is that there may be heavy metals in them, specifically lead. I’ve included some resources at the bottom of the page for you to learn more. If you have questions about any of the products listed, contact the manufacturer directly.
List of Kids Multivitamins without Folic Acid
Note: Products regularly change and the information presented here is accurate to the best of my knowledge at the time of writing. These products are listed in no particular order.
Nature’s Plus Animal Parade
Perque Life Guard Chewables
Smarty Pants
Dr. Fuhrman’s Pixie Vites
Seeking Health Optimal Multivitamin
Pure Encapsulations Junior Nutrients
Ortho Molecular Springboard SuperNutes
Thorne Children’s Basic Nutrients
MetaKids Multi Soft Chew
Metagenics PhytoMulti Kids
Multigenics Chewable
Klaire Labs Vitaspectrum
Klaire Labs Ther-biotic Children’s Chewable
Xymogen ActivNutrients
The Honest Company Baby + Toddler Powder Packs
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive Kids
MaxGen Labs Multivitamin Powder
BrainChild Nutritionals
Earthley Nourish Me Naturally
Mary Ruth Organics
Resources
http://www.fdalawblog.net/fda_law_blog_hyman_phelps/2016/05/fda-announces-final-regulations-on-nutrition-and-supplement-facts-labels-and-on-serving-sizes.html
http://oehha.ca.gov/proposition-65/general-info/proposition-65-plain-language
http://www.seekinghealth.com/blog/cal-prop-concern/
