Kids Multivitamins | IDLife Kids Nutrition - Product Review

There are many kids / children's multivitamins on the market and it's difficult to determine the best kids vitamin. IDLife Kids Nutrition is a high quality vitamin for ages 2 and up. This review will show you how IDLife is creating a standard that other companies are striving to meet.

IDLife has formulated a vitamin that covers antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, the basic nutrients for bone development, nervous system, cardio vascular development, but more important, brain (neurodevelopment, memory development) and vision (eye/retina development).

The safety of the product, the healthy levels of ingredients, the quality... nobody has a product like this on the market, it simply didn't exist until now. IDLife is creating a benchmark for other companies to try to achieve (and this applies to all of their product lines, not just IDLife Kids Nutrition). IDLife Kids Nutrition is the leading vitamin for children, and I'm going to show you why, so let's dig into the details...

Background on IDLife Kids Nutrition and Competition

About 14 months ago IDLife starting looking at nutrition for kids. They looked at what was currently available from competitors and what science was available. Unfortunately, not many studies are out there, and what is available, has your standard recommendations between 11 to 18 minerals (think of the cartoon character that drives the stone car). They wanted to find out what was good out there and what they should include in their formula.

They were mortified by what was available. These other companies selling nutrition products for kids to caring parents to supplement diets from fast foods and non-nutritious foods... giving them a vitamin expecting all bases to be covered. These vitamins have labels promising health and vitality and it's just plain deceptive. Why? Most of those vitamins with the standard 11 nutrient formula have no minerals. There is one that has no B1, B2, or Vitamin K. Another had a moderate level of iron (which for children under 6 can have a danger of poisoning!). Many had no calcium or manganese.

The "Bad Stuff"

Many kids vitamins contain artificial ingredients; chemical forms of sweeteners, synthetics, artificial flavoring, preservatives, and other additives - all of the "bad things". Others have label paint, a lot of ingredients listed that impress people thinking that they have plenty of coverage. But when you look at the amounts, the levels of those ingredients, they do not meet what science indicates as being efficacious.. required by the body. They end up being sub-potent and do not meet the bodies requirements.

"Unlike most children’s vitamins that contain artificial ingredients and fillers, IDLife Kids Nutrition offers a formula that will ensure your child is getting the best ingredients available with no artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, preservatives or additives. Boasting 24 vitamins and minerals, these easy-to-chew tablets deliver all the necessary ingredients that your child needs to fill their nutritional gaps with a great taste that will have them begging for more." - IDLife

IDLife Kids Nutrition Ingredients

So what is IDLife's philosophy on a good kids vitamin? I mentioned some of the bad stuff that may be in your kids vitamins. Or simply the lack of what should be included. Paul Sullivan, the Chief Formulator, for IDLife decided that the vitamin should include, what he calls, the three "A's" and two "P's".

The three A's.

1. Anti-inflammatory
2. Anti-neurotoxic
3. Antioxidant (read about free radicals and oxidants here)
   

The two P's

1. Pro brain development
2. Pro eye development

Many focus on the A's, but everyone misses on the P's.

"Kids, like adults, are deficient in certain vitamins and minerals due to a number of contributing factors. To address these nutritional gaps, IDLife has developed a fun and great tasting chewable packed with 24 vitamins and minerals designed just for kids." - IDLife

Cofactors

IDLife included cofactors in their vitamins which many others lack. Cofactors are basically an insurance factor that helps with metabolism and absorption, cellular absorption as well; they are complimentary to the vitamins. And nobody else does it to the extent that IDLife does.

So, let's take a look at some of the ingredients (vitamins, minerals, and cofactors) that are in IDLife Kids Nutrition.

Methylfolate and Methylcobalamin

They mandated two ingredients, methylfolate and methylcobalamin. I've mentioned folic acid and the associated dangers in a previous post, and many of you probably have heard of the MTHFR gene abnormality (having this marker hampers the process to properly absorb folic acid). Why is this important? Not a single kids vitamin has methylfolate and nobody has requested to use it, which is shocking. Both of these ingredients are so critical to overall health.

"Folate deficiency in the periconceptional period contributes to neural tube defects; deficits in vitamin B₁₂ (cobalamin) have negative consequences on the developing brain during infancy; and deficits of both vitamins are associated with a greater risk of depression during adulthood." - Journal on the Effects of vitamin B12 and folate deficiency on brain development in children.

Methylfolate alone may help in clinical depression. Folate (B9) is an essential nutrient that is required for DNA replication, it cannot be synthesized by the body, it can only be obtained from diet or supplementation. Methycobalamin (Methyl B12) rescues neurons from cell death due to excess homocysteine (toxic to neurons). It has also been shown to help with Autism. There are many other benefits as well.

Choline

Choline is essential for the integrity and signaling functions of cell membranes. It's primarily for brain and memory development. Some prenatal vitamins even lack this critical nutrient, so the child is pretty much depleted of that nutrient right out of gate. It helps develop those neurotransmitters, the signaling pathways within membranes in the brain. It also helps methlyfolate to develop cells and DNA in a healthy manner.

"Choline is critical during fetal development, when it influences stem cell proliferation and apoptosis, thereby altering brain and spinal cord structure and function and influencing risk for neural tube defects and lifelong memory function." - Journal - Choline: Critical Role During Fetal Development and Dietary Requirements in Adults

Inositol

Inositol works closely with Choline for nerve cell communication. And it can help fight depression in children as there is evidence that depressed kids have lower levels of inositol. Adults as well.

"A double-blind controlled trial of 12 g daily of inositol in 28 depressed patients for four weeks was performed. Significant overall benefit for inositol compared to placebo was found at week 4 on the Hamilton Depression Scale." - Controlled trials of inositol in psychiatry.

It's also beneficial for the eye membranes.

Lutein

There are few vitamins out there for kids that have ingredients to help the eyes. Lutein is essential to both the brain (helps improve neurons) and retina. They also have zeaxanthin and carotenoids listed in their ingredients. For a child's first 4 years these nutrients are important, eye development is very rapid in the first year. Long term cognitive performance, learning and memory all are impacted by these nutrients.

"Oral supplementation with the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) formulation (antioxidant vitamins C and E, beta carotene, and zinc) has been shown to reduce the risk of progression to advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Observational data suggest that increased dietary intake of lutein + zeaxanthin (carotenoids), omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (docosahexaenoic acid [DHA] + eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA]), or both might further reduce this risk." - Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 Research Group.

These are the basic nutrients for bone development, nervous system, cardio vascular. But more important, brain and vision. Before the child can even speak they use their vision to learn.

And it's not just for children. I take a zeaxanthin supplement (EyePromise Restore) as I have a low MPOD (Macular Pigment Optical Density) score, which as seen above, can lead to macular degeneration when you are older.

Other Vitamins and Minerals

• Vitamin A deficiency can result in poor immune function. Infant impaired neural cognitive development is another result from a deficiency in Vitamin A. It promotes normal growth and development; tissue and bone repair; healthy skin (inside and out), eyes, and immune responses. It also helps protect against many forms of cancer. 
• Zinc is used in over 200 enzymes in the body. It promotes a healthy nervous system and brain, especially in the fetus. 
• Calcium for building strong bones, contracting muscles, teeth health, clots blood. 
• Vitamin D helps maintain healthy and strong bones by retaining calcium. 
• Vitamin K for metabolism pathways in tissue and bone. It can reduce neural damage and stop free radicals. Also controls blood-clotting.
• Vitamin E is an important antioxidant. It protects the cells from damage. It prevents blood clots, improves wound-healing, it's good for the skin, and helps against cancer.
• Vitamin B1 (aka thiamine) is essential for energy function and intellectual development (brain function). It helps the body make use of protein. 
• Riboflavin (aka B2) is also used for energy (by converting fats, protein, sugars), healthy skin repair and maintenance, used for hair, nails, eyes. Also important to help protect against free radacals. 
• Niacin (B3) helps lower cholesterol levels and balance blood sugar. Also helps with diarrhea. 
• Pantothenic Acid (B5) controls fat metabolism, creates anti-stress hormones, helps with immunity. 
• Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) has been shown to help with protein digestions, brain function, hormone production, help balance sex hormones (more useful in older individuals with PMS and menopause), used as a natural anti-depressant, and known to help with allergic reactions. 
• Biotin (B7) is particularly important for children to prevent pain and fatigue in muscles, that ache from physical activity. 
• Vitamin B12 is essential for energy, it helps to carry oxygen in your blood. Also helps with allergens and deals with toxins. It's also essential for the nerves. 
• Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) - What doesn't this remarkable nutrient do? It's a very important antioxidant that strengthens the immune system. It fights pollutants, helps to protect the heart from disease, it protects against cancer, turns food into energy, helps making those anti-stress hormones, keeps joints, skin, and bones firm by making collagen. 
• Selenium is another antioxidant that helps protect the body from free radicals. It can also reduce inflammation, fight infections, and helps the Vitamin E's processes. 
• Manganese is important for the thyroid and calcium absorption. It helps cartilage formation, tissues, nerves, stabilizes blood sugars, promotes healthy RNA, and is important for insulin production. 

Wait, No Iron?

You may have noticed there is no Iron. This was an executive decision by IDLife, and included many many long conversations. Why? Because under the age of 6 it’s a big danger. There should be a warning on vitamins that contain iron. Just imagine if you had an open bottle of delicious candy (to your 1 or 2 year old) laying around. They could ingest far too much and cause iron poisoning.  If they are over 6, you can probably add iron. But IDLife decided against adding iron, especially since they wanted to create a vitamin for children as young as 2 (like my son in the picture at the beginning of this post). They did find safer versions of iron that could possibly work, but it's a risk they do not want to take.

Summary

With the risks we are seeing today, such as the dangers from sugar (primarily fructose) and associated cancer risks from processed meats, it's your duty as a parent to make sure your children are meeting their requirements to live long healthy lives. It can be difficult to determine if they are getting their required essential nutrients. It's more difficult to find a high quality product that doesn't contain artificial ingredients (colors, preservatives, additive, sweeteners).

The intentions and the way IDLife designed their kids nutrition product should tell you that it was a labor of love. The science behind it, which keeps changing, is solid (and they will reformulate as the science evolves). IDLife has created a product line that nobody else has, it simply didn't exist at this quality. It will help to develop your kids immune system, help protect them from everything they are exposed to, they'll be healthiest kids on the block.

Order IDLife Kids Nutrition <-- CLICK HERE!
30 DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE

FAQ

Q: When should my kids switch to IDLife Nutrition?

A: At the age of 12+ and 100 pounds healthy weight, once they have reached maturity.

Resources:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3218540/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3137939/
http://www.clinicaleducation.org/2011/11/01/methylfolate-and-methyl-b12-play-a-profound-role-in-health/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2441939/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3607807/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3140638/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inositol
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9169302

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23644932

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2699988/

Conference call with Paul Sullivan - October 2015 

Champion Barbell Revolving Multi-Exercise Bar - Product Review

The Champion Barbell Revolving Multi-Exercise Bar is awesome! I love this thing! I use it primarily for three exercises:

- Overhead tricep cable pushdowns (like this dude here).
- Standard tricep cable push-downs.
- Low seated cable rows (youtube example).

It's quite versatile, solid, sturdy, and heavier than I expected. You can also use it for bicep curls, pull downs, etc. I paid $30.77 at the time. Of course, you'll need a cable pulley machine of some sort.

Also, in my research, I purchased this over the rubber coated CAP version (CAP Barbell Deluxe Multi-Exerciser). I didn't like the idea of thick rubber for hand grips, and I usually wear gloves (except bench and dead lifts)... Yes, I wear gloves. I have a wife too. If that makes sense, and you want a nice pair of gloves, check out Harbinger 155 Power StretchBack Glove.

Overall, it's heavy duty and well made for the price! You can purchase the Champion Barbell Revolving Multi-Exercise Bar here.

Can't sleep?, Sleeping Tips, and IDLife Sleep Review

Do you have insomnia, toss-and-turn at night, simply can’t sleep, maybe have trouble falling asleep, or even trouble just staying in a deep sleep? Maybe you have all of the above. Or maybe your mind is too active at night which prevents you from falling asleep? Or you're just not tired?

If so, then you are not alone.

I take melatonin to help me fall asleep, which I’ve been doing since 2010/2011. Lately I’ve had to increase the amount of melatonin to help me fall asleep. Unfortunately, it won’t help me STAY asleep and feel refreshed in the morning. Here are some tips and tricks I've used to fall asleep.

Sleeping tips and tricks:

• Eat your last meal at least 3 hours or more before bed (less chance of heart burn at night).
• Have a small protein snack before bed (for example; almond butter, or a handful of nuts).
• Exercise every morning. 
• Read a book/turn off blue light electronics an hour before bed.
• Keep the temperature between 66 and 69 Fahrenheit.
• Melatonin 20 to 40 minutes before bed (helps to fall asleep).
• ZMA (Zinc Monomethionine Aspartate, Magnesium Aspartate and Vitamin B6): supposedly some studies say it helps the body with deeper levels of REM sleep. It didn’t work for me, just gave me a headache before bed. But may be worthwhile to research and look into. See below for what I recommend.
• iOS sleep apps that monitor and track sleep (useful to see how you sleep and when you wake up or move).

All of the above are helpful in getting to sleep. But they do not help with staying asleep. I've been prescribed Ambien in the past, but I disliked how I was forced to fall asleep, it didn't feel natural.

Speaking of Ambien, In 2011, 60 million prescriptions were written for sleep medication. In 2006, 47 million. It looks like we are getting less sleep every year!

What has helped me the most is the following product.

At the time of writing this, I've been taking SLEEP for 2 months. I'll take it about 30 minutes before going to bed. It's a mint flavored strip that you dissolve on your tongue. It'll make you feel sleepy after 20 to 30 minutes (the melatonin). It has a tri–phasic approach to help in falling asleep and staying asleep. So far, it has worked for me!

In all disclosure, I make a commission off of SLEEP, but I have yet to find anything that works as well. I recommend giving it a try. See if it helps with your sleep. SLEEP is by far the best product I’ve tried to date that helps me fall asleep and STAY asleep.

>> Purchase sleep here <<

If you have any questions, please comment below or send me an email.

Barefoot Running - Vibram Five Fingers Review

I just purchased a new shoe that gets a lot of strange looks, comments, and questions.

Vibram FiveFingers KSO (Men's) and
Vibram FiveFingers KSO (Women's).

I needed a pair of shoes for my upcoming Hawaii trip that would work in different environments. Sand, lava rock, rivers, reefs, general walking, and running come to mind. I looked at several different water shoes and Sandals (both full toe heel strap ones to the thongs). I stumbled across the Vibram FiveFingers Shoes. It's primarily designed for running and they make different types depending on if you are running summer/winter or trail running. But it forces you, more or less, to run natural.

When you run barefoot you land on the ball of your foot. It comes natural (after awhile), otherwise your heel will hurt, especially on concrete! With the amount of force applied to your heel, It's like hitting the heel of your foot with a hammer! When you run barefoot you put the forces on your calf muscles rather than joints (knees and hips). You also use more of your quads when you run this way.

Do a few searches on google, you'll see that a lot of runners are using these today or running barefoot, even Olympic athletes.

They also help with certain issues such as over-pronation. I have flat feet, I over-pronate when I step heel to toe. These "shoes" should help resolve that. I also workout barefoot daily. I'll add these to my routine.

From what I've read they shouldn't be used in lateral movements, such as those found in tennis and racket ball. You need more side-to-side support in those sport and the foot may slide in the five fingers. They are best for walking and running.

The Vibram FiveFingers Shoes Trek just came out as well. I'm not sure if it's available in most stores yet. It's approximately $125. The trek has a lot more grip and would be better if it's wet or if there are rocks (more protection) but may not be so good for in the house working out or running.

To get the right measurement, take a ruler (and don't forget they usually do not start right at the very edge), place your heel against the wall and slide the ruler under your foot. Measure to the longest toe and that is the size in inches. Mine are 11.25 or so, which is a size 44 according to Vibram's sizing chart. You want your toes very close to the end but do not want them to be too tight, or feel like your toes are jammed against the toe socket (the 43's were way too tight for me).

You may find that you are between sizes. If that is the case consider a woman's size. They are more narrow but come in 1/8" sizes I believe.

For a video on barefoot running, check this out:



Here is a link where you can purchase Vibram Five Fingers. There are no local stores in my area that carry them.

Vibram FiveFingers Shoes:
Experience the barefoot revolution!