Natures Plus Source of Life Animal Parade Children's Chewable Multi-Vitamin & Mineral Supplement Natural Grape Flavor

Our assessment

Our assessment: The evidence shows that this supplement provides calcium, a mineral essential for bone health. However, we must be clear about what the data does and does not tell us. The provided data for this specific product is limited to its ingredient list; we do not have specific dosage information per serving from the data given. For the ingredient calcium, the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements confirms its role in bone mineralization and neuromuscular function [NIH ODS].

How it works

Think of calcium as a building block for your child's bones and teeth. It supports bone density and mineral deposition, which is critical during childhood growth [NIH ODS]. It also plays a key role in neuromuscular relaxation, helping muscles relax and nerves send signals properly [NIH ODS]. Because this is a multivitamin, you are getting calcium alongside other vitamins and minerals, which can support overall health, but we lack specific data on the other ingredients' amounts or benefits.

Safety profile

The safety profile is important to understand. The FDA has received a total of 592,059 adverse event reports across all supplements, but specific report counts for this product or for calcium alone are not available in the provided data [FDA data]. For calcium specifically, the NIH ODS warns that high intakes might increase the risk of heart disease and prostate cancer [NIH ODS]. Very high levels of calcium in the blood can cause serious side effects including constipation, nausea, weight loss, extreme tiredness, abnormal heart rhythms, and a high risk of death from heart disease [NIH ODS]. Additionally, calcium can reduce the absorption of medications like tetracycline and fluoroquinolone antibiotics, levothyroxine, and phenytoin [NIH ODS]. You should consult your pediatrician before starting any supplement, especially if your child takes any prescription medications.

Our recommendation

Our recommendation: Because we do not have the exact dosages of calcium or other ingredients in this specific product, we cannot verify that it meets or exceeds your child's needs. The data confirms that calcium is important for growing children, but safety depends entirely on the dose [NIH ODS]. We recommend speaking with your child's healthcare provider to determine if a multivitamin is necessary and, if so, to review the label's exact nutrient amounts to ensure they are appropriate and safe. Without complete data on the product's formulation, we cannot confidently recommend this specific supplement.

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