Parents warned about giving kids supplements

Federal officials are warning parents to beware of certain dietary supplements that are being marketed toward children. One Iowa expert says kids who want to stay healthy or lose weight need to learn how to eat right, not how to take drugs.Cindy Conroy is a registered licensed dietician at the Iowa Heart Center in Des Moines. She says in addition to better nutrition through cutting fried food and sugars in favor of fruits and vegetables, another big step toward health is exercise for those couch potato kids. She says you need to find an activity that your child likes to do.Just because something is “natural” doesn’t mean it’s safe. Some herbs can have powerful drug-like effects. Conroy says a one-a-day, chewable multi-vitamin is all most kids need. She says parents can give their kids a sense of self-direction which can help to put them on the right track. Conroy says let the kids help plan menus and pick out what type of food you are going to eat. She says this gives them education in managing their diet.The federal advisory says many dietary supplements, especially herbal products, have not been tested in kids to determine safety or effectiveness. It adds, dietary supplements in the U-S are NOT held to any set of federal standards for quality or purity.