Pixie Vites

Key Ingredients

Vitamin D3

Benefits: Once thought to be important only for calcium absorption and bone health, scientists have now found that vitamin D has important actions throughout the body, and low vitamin D levels are associated with diminished immune function, several cancers, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and autoimmune diseases.

Why we should supplement: Many people have insufficient vitamin D levels. Even children who spend a lot of time outside might not have adequate vitamin D levels, since sun protective clothing or sunscreen is necessary to protect their skin. Supplementing is the best choice for achieving adequate vitamin D levels. Pixie Vites supplies vegan vitamin D3; D3 is more effective than D2 for raising 25(OH)D levels.

About our D3: The vegan D3 in Pixie Vites is derived from lichen sourced from the UK.

Folate (not folic acid)

Benefits: Folate is important for DNA synthesis, cell division, and amino acid metabolism.

Why kids should supplement: Since many children likely don't eat sufficient green vegetables to provide adequate folate, a natural form of folate is included in Pixie Vites.

About our folate: Tetrahydrofolates are the biologically active forms of folate. Synthetic folic acid, on the other hand, is not an active form, and must be modified before it can be used by the body as folate. Pixie Vites supplies 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, a common form of folate found in natural foods and circulating in the blood.

Vitamin B12

Benefits: Vitamin B12 is required for red blood cell production, nervous system function, and DNA synthesis. Deficiency in B12 can cause a variety of health problems, including anemia, depression, confusion, fatigue, digestive issues, and nerve damage.

Why kids should supplement: Since B12 isn't naturally present in plant foods, children on plant-based diets should supplement.

About our B12: We use methylcobalamin, one of the natural forms of B12 used in the body. Since research suggests we absorb only a small proportion of the B12 ingested, Dr. Fuhrman recommends taking a larger dose than the DV.

Vitamin K2

Benefits: Vitamin K drives chemical reactions that control bone formation, and getting sufficient vitamin K may help to maintain bone mineral density. Vitamins K1 and K2 share those functions, but there is some evidence that K2 is more bioavailable, and has higher functional activity than K1, particularly for functions outside of blood coagulation, such as those related to bone and cardiovascular health.

Why kids should supplement: Vitamin K2 is produced by bacteria and is low in most plant foods, in contrast to K1 which is abundant in green vegetables. Children on plant-based diets likely benefit from supplemental K2.

About our K2: Our vitamin K2 is made from flower extracts and is sourced from Norway.

Iodine

Benefits: Iodine is required for the body to produce thyroid hormones.

Why kids should supplement: Most plant foods are low in iodine, and iodized salt is the main dietary source. If you and your children follow a vegan or near-vegan diet, especially if you avoid adding salt to your food, your iodine intake is probably low.

About our iodine: Our iodine is derived from Atlantic kelp sourced from Canada.

Zinc

Benefits: Zinc is essential for immune function, growth, and reproduction, and supports hundreds of chemical reactions.

Why kids should supplement: Zinc is abundant in whole plant foods but is not readily absorbed. Beans, whole grains, nuts, and seeds contain zinc, but also contain substances that inhibit zinc absorption. Zinc intake and circulating zinc levels are lower in vegetarians and vegans, and zinc requirements for those on a completely plant-based diet are estimated to be about 50 percent higher than the standard recommendations.

About our zinc: Pixie Vites supplies zinc as zinc picolinate and zinc amino acid chelate. Chelated forms such as these increase zinc absorbability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which vitamins and minerals might be harmful when taken as supplements?

There is evidence that too much synthetic folic acid, which is more bioavailable than natural folate, has cancer-promoting effects. Since many children may not eat sufficient green vegetables, a natural form of folate is included in Pixie Vites. High doses of supplemental beta-carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin E have each been linked to an increased risk of death in several studies. There is also evidence that supplemental vitamin A contributes to osteoporotic fractures. Importantly, folate, vitamin E, and beta-carotene (a precursor to vitamin A) are all easy to obtain from vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds. A small dose of vitamin E as mixed tocopherols is included to assure adequate intake for children. Anyone following a healthful diet does not need to supplement with these nutrients. Dr. Fuhrman also recommends avoiding copper and selenium as supplements, and only taking iron if necessary. Children and pregnant women, especially thos on plant-based diets, typically require supplemental iron.

Do I really need a multivitamin if I eat healthfully?

You need a multivitamin designed to complement your healthful diet. Vitamins and minerals are the foundations for our body's essential everyday functions, like energy metabolism, immune system function, bone strength, muscle contraction, and brain function Health-promoting plant foods provide us with vitamins, minerals, and beneficial phytochemicals, and eating more plant protein and less animal protein is linked to longevity. But reducing animal foods also reduces our intake or absorption of vitamin B12, vitamin K2, zinc, and iodine.

Is Pixie Vites gluten-free? Allergen-free?

Pixie Vites does not contain soy, wheat, gluten, dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, or sesame. Pixie Vites is not manufactured in an allergen-free or gluten-free facility. Our manufacturing facility has an allergen control program in place designed to properly handle, store and use materials in production to eliminate the risk of cross-contamination, in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).

What is xylitol?

Pixie Vites uses xylitol as a sweetener instead of added sugar. Xylitol is naturally found in small amounts in plant foods, such as vegetables and berries, and is also produced by the human body as a part of normal metabolism. Xylitol is used in many toothpastes because it may help prevent tooth decay.

What ages do you recommend Pixie Vites for?

Pixie Vites is designed for children aged 1-10 years. Children 1-3 years should take one scoop daily, and children 4-10 years should take 2.

What research went into this product?

Below are the studies that informed the development of this product:

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2. Charoenngam N, Shirvani A, Holick MF. Vitamin D for skeletal and non-skeletal health: What we should know. J Clin Orthop Trauma 2019, 10:1082-1093.

3. Wacker M, Holick MF. Vitamin D - effects on skeletal and extraskeletal health and the need for supplementation. Nutrients 2013, 5:111-148.

4. Tripkovic L, Lambert H, Hart K, et al. Comparison of vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 supplementation in raising serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status: a systematic review and meta-analysis. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2012.

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9. Carmel R. How I treat cobalamin (vitamin B12) deficiency. Blood 2008, 112:2214-2221.

10. Schurgers LJ, Teunissen KJ, Hamulyak K, et al. Vitamin K-containing dietary supplements: comparison of synthetic vitamin K1 and natto-derived menaquinone-7. Blood 2007, 109:3279-3283.

11. Akbulut AC, Pavlic A, Petsophonsakul P, et al. Vitamin K2 Needs an RDI Separate from Vitamin K1. Nutrients 2020, 12.

12. Halder M, Petsophonsakul P, Akbulut AC, et al. Vitamin K: Double Bonds beyond Coagulation Insights into Differences between Vitamin K1 and K2 in Health and Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2019, 20.

13. Beulens JW, Booth SL, van den Heuvel EG, et al. The role of menaquinones (vitamin K(2)) in human health. Br J Nutr 2013, 110:1357-1368.

14. Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health. Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Iodine [http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iodine-HealthProfessional/]

15. Eveleigh ER, Coneyworth LJ, Avery A, Welham SJM. Vegans, Vegetarians, and Omnivores: How Does Dietary Choice Influence Iodine Intake? A Systematic Review. Nutrients 2020, 12.

16. Foster M, Chu A, Petocz P, Samman S. Effect of vegetarian diets on zinc status: a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies in humans. J Sci Food Agric 2013, 93:2362-2371.

17. Saunders AV, Craig WJ, Baines SK. Zinc and vegetarian diets. Med J Aust 2013, 199:S17-21.

18. Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health. Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Zinc [http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/]

19. Frassinetti S, Bronzetti G, Caltavuturo L, et al. The role of zinc in life: a review. Journal of Environmental Pathology, Toxicology and Oncology 2006, 25:597-610.

20. de Bortoli MC, Cozzolino SM. Zinc and selenium nutritional status in vegetarians. Biol Trace Elem Res 2009, 127:228-233.

21. Barrie SA, Wright JV, Pizzorno JE, et al. Comparative absorption of zinc picolinate, zinc citrate and zinc gluconate in humans. Agents and Actions 1987, 21:223-228.

22. Lönnerdal B. Dietary Factors Influencing Zinc Absorption. The Journal of Nutrition 2000, 130:1378S-1383S.

23. Ulrich CM. Folate and cancer prevention: a closer look at a complex picture. Am J Clin Nutr 2007, 86:271-273.

24. Mason JB. Folate, cancer risk, and the Greek god, Proteus: a tale of two chameleons. Nutr Rev 2009, 67:206-212.

25. Patel KR, Sobczynska-Malefora A. The adverse effects of an excessive folic acid intake. Eur J Clin Nutr 2017, 71:159-163.

26. Bjelakovic G, Nikolova D, Gluud C. Meta-regression analyses, meta-analyses, and trial sequential analyses of the effects of supplementation with beta-carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin E singly or in different combinations on all-cause mortality: do we have evidence for lack of harm? PLoS One 2013, 8:e74558.

27. Schwingshackl L, Boeing H, Stelmach-Mardas M, et al. Dietary Supplements and Risk of Cause-Specific Death, Cardiovascular Disease, and Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Primary Prevention Trials. Adv Nutr 2017, 8:27-39.

28. Crandall C. Vitamin A intake and osteoporosis: a clinical review. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2004, 13:939-953.