Traditionally, nutritional supplements referred to vitamins and minerals. But in a rapidly expanding market, it has come to mean herbs and other botanical products, enzymes, animal extracts and more. The need for vitamins and minerals are nutrients that are necessary for life and are widely available in food. Sometimes, though, nutrients must be consumed as supplements to treat or prevent nutritional deficiencies. For most healthy children who eat a variety of foods, experts generally agree that dietary supplements beyond a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement are not necessary, let alone safe or effective. Many of the products being marketed for kids have not been adequately tested in children to determine their safety and value.

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