Greens Today Children's Formula Chewable Vitamins

Our assessment

The evidence shows that Greens Today Children's Formula Chewable Vitamins provide calcium, a mineral critical for your child's development. Our assessment: this product can support bone health, but you need to be aware of the specific risks and interactions associated with calcium supplementation.

How it works

Think of calcium as the building block for strong bones and teeth. It works through bone mineralization, helping deposit minerals to support bone density. It also supports neuromuscular relaxation, which helps your child's muscles relax and nerves signal properly [NIH ODS].

Safety profile

For this specific product, data on side effects is not available. The FDA has received a total of 592,059 adverse event reports across all supplement categories. From the ingredient data, high calcium intakes might increase the risk of heart disease and prostate cancer. High levels of calcium in the blood and urine can cause poor muscle tone, poor kidney function, low phosphate levels, constipation, nausea, weight loss, extreme tiredness, frequent need to urinate, abnormal heart rhythms, and a high risk of death from heart disease [NIH ODS].

Our recommendation

Start by checking the exact calcium dose per chewable on the product label. Be aware that calcium can reduce the absorption of several medications, including bisphosphonates, tetracycline antibiotics, fluoroquinolone antibiotics, levothyroxine, and phenytoin [NIH ODS]. If your child takes any of these medications, separate dosing times by at least two hours. We recommend consulting your pediatrician before starting this supplement to ensure the dose is appropriate for your child's age and diet [NIH ODS].

Supplement labels contain several key sections regulated by the FDA:

• Serving Size — The recommended amount per dose. Always check this — some products require multiple capsules per serving.
• Amount Per Serving — Shows the quantity of each nutrient in the product, typically in IU (International Units), mg (milligrams), or mcg (micrograms).
• % Daily Value (%DV) — Indicates how much a nutrient in a serving contributes to a daily diet. 5% DV or less is low; 20% DV or more is high.
• Other Ingredients — Lists inactive ingredients like fillers, binders, and capsule materials (e.g., gelatin, cellulose, magnesium stearate).
• Suggested Use — The manufacturer's recommended directions for taking the supplement, including timing and dosage.

Source: FDA Dietary Supplement Labeling Guide