Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.
I’m a strong believer in the abilities of Echinacea, vitamin C, and zinc to boost your immune system before and during a cold. For years now, I’ve reached for the three when I’ve felt a cold coming on. Except for the very occasional strong bug, I rarely get sick, and if I do, I usually recover very quickly.
There are other factors, of course, but I do believe taking vitamins helps. Some people may disagree with me, but there is plenty of research showing that zinc does shorten the duration of a cold and reduce symptoms (if taken immediately). If taken in safe dosages, it’s certainly not going to be harmful, so why not?
When given the chance to review a bottle of Natural Dynamix’ Gummy Cuties vitamins, I immediately chose the Echinacea + Vitamin C and Zinc blend. They also have a multi-vitamin, an Omega-3 DHA/EPA, and a Calcium + Vitamin D blend.
I was tempted by the DHA vitamins, but figured that this time of year, the vitamins with zinc would be most beneficial for Baby J. When the bottle arrived it said these vitamins are for ages 4 and up, so I was a little disappointed. Most of the kids vitamins I’ve seen (all, until now, actually) are for ages 2 and up. I thought about giving these vitamins to Baby J anyway, because I think he could chew them fine, but then I realized the dosage might be designed for older children. So I’ve been eating them!
Here’s the nutritional info and the ingredients:
Amount/Serving |
% Daily Value | |
| Calories | 15 | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 4 g | 1% |
| Sugars | 3 g | ** |
| Vitamin A | 3334 IU | 67% |
| Vitamin C (as Ascorbic Acid) | 80 mg | 133% |
| Vitamin E (as Vitamin E Acetate) | 20 IU | 17% |
| Zinc (as Zinc Sulfate Monohydrate) | 2.5 mg | ** |
| Echinacea (Echinacea Purpea) serial parts 1-4 extract | 12.5 mg | ** |
*Percent Daily Values are based upon a 2,000 calorie diet
**Daily Value Not Established
Ingredients: Glucose Syrup, Sugar, Gelatin, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Colors Added (Black Carrot Juice Concentrate, Tumeric, Annatto), Natural Flavors, Fractioned Coconut Oil, beeswax
I was curious about the use of glucose syrup, so I did some research. In order to have the “gummy” texture, only certain types of sweeteners or sugars can be used. Natural Dynamix maintains they only use “real” sugar and no artificial sweeteners in their products. They do not use high fructose corn syrup. You can read more about their decision to use glucose syrup HERE. I know people fuss over sugar used in vitamins, but my toddler isn’t going to eat vitamins that aren’t sweetened. Vitamins don’t exactly taste good on their own. I’ve never been a fan of swallowing pills (terrible gag reflex), so I’d rather eat gummies. Also, our diets are already very low in sugar and processed foods, so I don’t have any problems with 3 grams of sugar in a daily serving.
By the way, these vitamins are Made in the USA and (according to the manufacturer) free of yeast, wheat, milk or dairy, egg, tree nuts, peanuts, shell-fish, gluten, artificial colors and flavors, salicylates, and preservatives.
I was happy to see that Natural Dynamix uses naturally derived things like carrot juice, tumeric, and annatto instead of artificial food coloring. A bottle retails for $14.99 and contains 30 servings (60 gummies).
So how do they taste? They definitely still have a “vitamin” taste to them, but the sugar makes them not too bad…I’d say more than bearable. I wouldn’t snack on them like candy, but they’re quite tasty for vitamins with a sweet and sour flavor.
Visit the Natural Dynamix website to see their Gummy Cuties, as well as adult vitamins and sports nutrition.
Note: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
I received both Altrient C and Altrient ME, a vitamin B complex that dispenses energy without the means of caffeine or sugar. Each box contains 30 little packets, and each packet contains the vitamins in a gel form. Simply tear the package and squeeze the Altrient into a cold beverage of your choice. To enter the bloodstream more quickly, Altrient C and Altrient ME should be taken on an empty stomach, but you can eat as soon as 15 minutes afterwards. Since Altrient products don’t contain sugar, caffeine, or gluten, they are suitable for Paleo, Zone, and Vegan diets.