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Maintaining and strengthening the health of a child is perhaps one of the most important tasks of literate parents. A weakened body cannot resist seasonal diseases, and frequent colds lead to decreased performance at school and serious complications. In order to provide a child with full protection from the negative effects of the environment, strengthen his immunity, raise him healthy, and help him cope with stress, parents need to take care of his nutrition, physical, mental, and mental development from a very early age.
But if parents have the opportunity to control the diet of a preschooler, then it is much more difficult to do this with a schoolchild - the child receives pocket money, spends more time outside the home, often satisfying his hunger with fast food, snacks, washing it all down with carbonated water or energy drinks. It is clear that a diet in which the body does not receive the vitamins necessary for schoolchildren cannot be called complete.
However, modern living conditions do not allow our children to receive a sufficient amount of organic elements even with healthier food: for example, frying vegetables leads to the destruction of 85% of the micronutrients contained, and the use of fertilizers and pollinators when growing vegetables and fruits no longer gives urban children a chance to try 100% natural products.
The addiction of baby food manufacturers to chemical sweeteners and synthetic ingredients in the manufacture of quick breakfasts, as well as other products so beloved by our children, leads to the gradual displacement of truly useful and healthy foods from the child’s diet.
But it is not only poor nutrition that causes decline in the health of schoolchildren. Their quality of life is negatively affected by factors such as:
- air pollution;
- stress, fast pace of life in big cities;
- lack of sufficient physical fitness;
- increased mental stress at school;
- unsanitary conditions;
- acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections suffered "on the feet".
All this contributes to the fact that the vast majority of modern children, by the time they enter adulthood, have some kind of chronic inflammatory disease (tonsillitis, bronchitis, rhinitis). Disturbances in the formation of the skeletal system (scoliosis, osteochondrosis), allergies, and poor vision are also common.
Why are vitamins needed?
It so happens that modern people are not very inclined to eat healthy food. That is, we are sometimes ready to eat a salad, but flavored with mayonnaise or ketchup. And we eat a piece of meat with so many seasonings that all its value is lost. And if you remember how much we love fast food, juicy whites, pies and cakes! How our mouths water from smoked meats and pickles! There is no need to argue here that our body is categorically lacking in vitamins. But the body does not give up and stubbornly fights the external environment, reacting to excess fatty and sweet foods with an allergic rash, spots or heartburn. Therefore, a sane person takes time to purchase vitamins and take care of himself.
Versatile choice
Many children choose Pikovit. Can adults take this product? Let’s say right away that there are no contraindications for anyone to take vitamins if the composition satisfies the person’s wishes. But in children's vitamins the doses are much smaller, and therefore the effect from them will be hardly noticeable. Roughly speaking, an adult can take a handful of vitamins for children at once, and nothing will happen to him, since he will barely get the dose required by his age and weight. However, a child cannot do this, since an overdose of vitamins and minerals can have an unpredictable effect. Then the baby will feel bad. He will begin to develop toxicosis and show all the symptoms of poisoning. Sometimes an overdose of vitamins can result in a rash and allergies.
Why Pikovit?
For adults, a proven solution for improving the health of a child’s body is the vitamins that they themselves took in childhood. And most often they like Pikovit. Why is that? Yes, it’s just a multivitamin with macroelements, which includes as many as 10 of the most important vitamins, calcium and phosphorus. That is, it is simply a killer weapon in the fight against viruses and pathogenic bacteria. Let's try to break down Pikovit into its components.
It's easier to learn with Pikovit Forte!
Many parents consider the drugs marketed under the Pikovit brand to be the best vitamins for schoolchildren. This is not surprising, because they are produced in compliance with all safety requirements, have a pleasant taste, but most importantly, they contain useful micronutrients necessary at each stage of development. Especially for children over 7 years old who constantly face stress caused by increased workload, KRKA specialists have developed the Pikovit Forte complex, the composition of which is enhanced with increased doses of B vitamins.
Taking the drug as recommended by a pediatrician helps increase memory abilities and improve the general condition of the body, including the nervous and immune systems. "Pikovit Forte" takes its rightful place among children's vitamins for improving memory and attention! The drug is produced in the form of lozenges with a pleasant tangerine taste and contains 11 essential vitamins for children over 7 years old, does not contain sugar.
How much?
Pikovit is full of B vitamins. In particular, B1, B2, B6, B12, as well as pantothenic acid and nicotinamide. They are involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. But the folic acid in the composition is not so active, but already in the body it turns into a biologically active coenzyme necessary for the biosynthesis of nucleic acids. This coenzyme accelerates the maturation of red blood cells and enhances their growth. Folic acid also forms and regenerates platelets.
For vision, the composition contains retinol, or vitamin A, and for the mineralization of bones and teeth - vitamin D, or colecalciferol, as well as calcium and phosphorus. The element most beloved by children, ascorbic acid, accelerates the absorption of iron. There is no sugar in Pikovit, so you can be doubly calm about your children’s teeth. The sweeteners maltitol and mannitol are responsible for the sweetness. Agree, the composition is wonderful not only for children. So why not recommend Pikovit for adults?!
Vitamins and minerals for appetite
Of particular importance in the formation of the desire to eat food are:
Vitamin/mineral | Function | Sources in products | Signs of Deficiency |
A | supports the health of mucous membranes, helps strengthen the immune system | broccoli, carrots, liver, eggs, milk | susceptibility to infectious diseases, decreased night vision, flaky skin |
Group B (B1, B2, B6, B3, B5, B7) | play a vital role in the body’s production of energy, help maintain a smooth emotional background, and regulate the functioning of the nervous system | brewer's and bread yeast, cereals, nuts, liver, meat | decreased appetite, chronic fatigue, cardiac dysfunction, irritability |
C (ascorbic acid) | Boosts immunity, helps release energy from fats | citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, most berries, fruits | bleeding gums, decreased immunity |
Zinc | has a positive effect on the body’s defenses, participates in carbohydrate metabolism | beef, crab, oysters, whole grains | decreased concentration, excess weight gain |
Prebiotic (oligofructose) | promotes the growth of healthy microflora in the intestines, normalizes the functioning of the immune system and digestive tract | only drugs | digestive disorders - diarrhea, constipation, bloating |
Magnesium | helps produce energy from glucose, reduces sugar levels | whole grains, nuts, legumes | disorders of carbohydrate metabolism, the occurrence of insulin resistance syndrome |
Pharmacology
So, let’s take a look at the Pikovit vitamins. For adults, not only appearance is important, but also indications for use. But these are very cheerful tablets in appearance - biconvex rounds in a yellow, orange, green and reddish shell. Moreover, the color may be completely uneven. What does Pikovit promise to bring to the human body? For adults, it will become a real antioxidant shield, and it will protect not only the epithelium, but mucous membranes, vision, and increase immunity at the cellular level. Due to the presence of vitamin D, the balance of calcium and phosphorus in the body will be maintained. But with a lack of calcium, rickets develops.
Vitamin B ensures carbohydrate metabolism and normal functioning of the central nervous system. It also promotes tissue regeneration and takes part in the formation of hemoglobin. Vitamins of group C are the very monsters of the antioxidant process, helping to absorb iron from the intestines, neutralize toxins and strengthen blood vessels. It’s not for nothing that mothers give their children the famous ascorbic acid. This is the right answer to all diseases and reliable prevention. It is clear that children need Pikovit vitamins. Can adults take this product? Certainly! The versatility of the product is evidenced by the presence of folic acid in the composition, which, by the way, is called essential for pregnant and lactating women. This ingredient is involved in hematopoiesis and improves the synthesis of acids and proteins.
Analogs
Every parent wants to find the best vitamins for children so that they are harmless, balanced, and suitable for that particular child. The ideal solution would be to structure the daily menu in such a way that the food contains everything necessary for the growth and development of the child. But it is not always possible to ensure the supply of necessary substances with food. But multivitamin complexes are always at hand. It is only important to choose products from reliable companies that have been producing products for a long time and have long-term feedback from consumers.
In addition to Pikovit, the following are popular among parents: vitamin complex Alphabet, Multi-tabs, Alvitil, Beviplex, Biovital, Vitamult.
An analogue for Pikovit Omega-3 will be the usual fish oil or multivitamins Univit Kids and Supradin Kids with Omega-3 in the composition.
How to take vitamins?
Children are rarely punctual when it comes to taking pills and vitamins. Yes, and adults sometimes sin by forgetfulness. Therefore, it was very right to make “Pikovit” for adults. Instructions for use, by the way, do not differ at all depending on the age of the person. If the choice falls on Pikovit syrups, then 5 ml per day is enough. An exception will be syrup for infants up to one year old. They can be given 5 ml of syrup twice a day. This fact is explained by the fact that the concentration of the active substance is much reduced.
If vitamins are taken in tablets, then the dosage varies depending on the selected product line. For babies, one tablet per day may be enough, but sometimes the recommended dose reaches 7 (seven) pieces. If you take too much, you can get very unpleasant consequences in the form of diarrhea and diarrhea.
It is acceptable for an adult to take more tablets than a child, and an overdose is unlikely. Even if you take the drug three times higher than the recommended dose, you will experience an excess of vitamins A, D and E, since other ingredients do not accumulate in the body and are excreted in urine and feces.
And who should drink them?
If you bought Pikovit for adults, how to take vitamins? And who should take them? It is hardly worth drinking a hundred different vitamins uncontrollably and hoping for the magical effect of all the remedies at once. If you take vitamins for prevention, you should still experience some symptoms, such as: lack of appetite, fatigue, increased physical or mental stress, monotonous or inadequate diet. In addition, Pikovit vitamins for adults can be taken to increase the body's resistance to infections, increase the effectiveness of antibiotics and facilitate the recovery period.
Indications
The drug is used to assist in normal growth and development, improve the functioning of organs and systems, and improve resistance to disease.
The list of indications looks like this:
- prevention of diseases of various origins;
- increased stress: physical, mental, emotional;
- age period of intensive growth and development;
- poor appetite, unbalanced diet;
- the period of convalescence and recovery after any illness;
- prevention during seasonal diseases: viral or infectious;
- antibiotic treatment;
- various chronic conditions in which nutrients are poorly absorbed or eliminated.
Additional vitamin supplements will be needed for children with a limited diet for various reasons. Some kids outright refuse a fairly large list of healthy foods, while others are ready to eat only four or five items from the proposed menu. In such cases, artificial multivitamins will prevent the body from becoming unbalanced and will prevent nutritional deficiencies.
They're not that harmless
Even vitamins may not be suitable for everyone. This does not mean that you need to limit yourself in healthy supplements. You just have to sweat in search of the ideal remedy to boost your immunity. In particular, when we are talking about Pikovit Forte for adults. These are biconvex round tablets of orange color. They contain maltitol and mannitol, aspartame, glycerol and even castor oil. The flavoring agent with the aroma of tangerine is especially touching. At the same time, one should not expect a sweet taste. Pikovit Forte even tastes bitter, however, like many multivitamins. There is no sharp change in condition after taking it, but many adults notice that the feeling of chronic fatigue disappears. That is, you may still be tired from work, but after a hard day you will find the strength to go to the slide or skating rink with your children.
Pikovit is prohibited for all those who have hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, possible hypervitaminosis. It is also better to give Pikovit vitamins with caution to children under 4 years of age.
But pregnant and lactating women should be careful not to take vitamins solely for preventive purposes.
Children under 14 years of age are allowed to take 1 tablet per day. Vitamins can be sucked or chewed. If there are side effects, they are visible almost immediately. This is a skin rash or itching. This type of vitamin has age restrictions. So, it should not be taken even before the age of seven. People with phenylketonuria are also at risk.
Use of the drug Pikovit syrup
For therapeutic purposes, children aged 1 to 3 years are prescribed 1 teaspoon of syrup (5 ml) 2 times a day, from 4 to 6 years - 1 teaspoon of syrup 3 times a day, from 7 to 14 years - by 1 teaspoon of syrup 3-4 times a day. To prevent hypovitaminosis, children aged 1 to 3 years are prescribed 1/2 teaspoon of syrup per day, 4–6 years old - 1 teaspoon of syrup per day, 7–14 years old - 11/2 teaspoon per day. day. The duration of taking the drug is determined individually; in case of decreased appetite, a continuous course of taking syrup is 1 month. The syrup is prescribed after meals in pure form or with tea, juice, fruit puree.
special instructions
It turns out that Pikovit vitamins are quite versatile. How to take for adults? The dosage may be adjusted depending on the individual characteristics of each person. In principle, there is nothing wrong if parents and children take the same type of vitamins. This is also very convenient, since children will never forget or refuse another vitamin, and adults will be able to attract the child by their example, which, as we know, is contagious.
But you need to know a few points that you should pay attention to when taking vitamins. For example, at this time the urine may turn yellow. This is a harmless phenomenon, which is explained by the presence of riboflavin in the composition of the drug. But high doses of glycerol may not be so peaceful. Because of them, a person may feel a headache and experience problems with the gastrointestinal tract, which is popularly called diarrhea. In addition, Pikovit contains azo dyes that can provoke an asthmatic reaction. You need to know that the drug contains lactose, sucrose, glucose and sorbitol, and therefore the drug is not recommended for children with intolerance to these ingredients.
It is worth talking about interactions with other medications. Since the vitamin contains calcium, it delays the absorption of antibiotics from the group of tetracyclines and other antimicrobial agents. If you have to combine the use of such drugs and vitamins, then you need to maintain at least a time interval between them of 2 hours or longer. And vitamin C in the composition enhances the effect of antimicrobial agents, but also increases the possibility of side effects.
Contraindications
Although vitamins are not a medicine, you should not prescribe them to your child yourself. Like any remedy, Pikovit has its contraindications:
- sensitivity to any of the constituent components;
- the syrup contains sugar, so it is not recommended for diabetes;
- if you are already using vitamin D for infants, then simultaneously starting a course of fortification with Pikovit can provoke hypervitaminosis D;
- The same goes for other vitamins for children's growth. It is strictly forbidden to take several complexes at the same time;
- Pikovit syrup is not recommended for children with fructose and glucose intolerance, since, according to the instructions, it contains both of these components.