Hiya's Formulation: For Children, Not Grown-Ups
Hiya Health was founded in 2019 with a specific goal: to create a children's multivitamin that was healthier than the sugar-filled gummy alternatives flooding the market. The result is a line of chewable, sugar-free supplements formulated by a team of pediatricians and nutritionists. The ingredients are derived from whole foods and tested by third-party labs for purity and potency.
The formulation reflects pediatric nutritional guidelines, providing a balanced, but age-appropriate, set of vitamins and minerals. For example, the Kids Daily Multivitamin contains 15 essential nutrients and a blend of 12 fruits and vegetables. The dosages are carefully calibrated for a child's smaller body and lower daily requirements.
Can Adults Safely Take Kids' Vitamins?
Because Hiya vitamins have low doses tailored for children, taking one chewable tablet as an adult is generally safe and not a cause for concern. The primary issue is not toxicity but ineffectiveness. A single Hiya tablet will not provide the necessary daily vitamins and minerals to meet an adult's nutritional needs.
To consume an effective dose, an adult would have to take multiple Hiya tablets, which is not only impractical but also economically unfeasible given the subscription-based model and price per serving.
The Difference in Dosage: Adult vs. Child Needs
Adults and children have different Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for vitamins and minerals, which is why supplements are formulated differently for different age groups. Taking a children's multivitamin as an adult means missing out on the optimal, higher potency doses you need. For example, an adult's daily need for Vitamin E is 15 mg, while Hiya's multivitamin provides 3.5 mcg for kids.
The Issue of Missing Ingredients
Beyond just dosage, adult multivitamins often contain ingredients that are important for grown-ups but not included in children's formulas. For example, adult women's formulas often include more iron, which is crucial due to menstruation. Children's vitamins, including Hiya, often contain no or limited iron due to different needs. Additionally, adult formulas may include nutrients or compounds not found in Hiya, such as omega-3s, which are essential for adult heart and brain health.
Hiya vs. Adult Multivitamins: A Comparison
To illustrate the significant difference in nutritional content, let's compare the dosage of key vitamins in Hiya's Kids Daily Multivitamin (ages 4 and up) with typical adult RDAs, based on information from Hiya Health's website and reputable sources like the National Institutes of Health.
| Nutrient | Hiya Kids Daily Multivitamin (Ages 4+) | Typical Adult RDA | Significance for Adults |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin D | 25 mcg (167% DV for kids 4+) | 15 mcg | In this case, Hiya provides an adequate amount, but it's not higher than necessary. |
| Vitamin C | 40 mg (267% DV for kids 4+) | 75-90 mg | An adult would need at least double the dose. |
| Vitamin B12 | 2 mcg (222% DV for kids 4+) | 2.4 mcg | Hiya is close but slightly under the adult requirement. |
| Iron | Not included in the daily multivitamin | 8-18 mg | Critical for adult women, completely missing in Hiya's standard multi. |
| Calcium | 20 mg (3% DV for kids 4+) | 1,000-1,200 mg | Extremely low and ineffective for adults. |
| Zinc | 3 mg (100% DV for kids 4+) | 8-11 mg | Well below an adult's requirement. |
Considerations for Adult Usage
Dosage Inadequacy
The most significant drawback is the low dosage of many key nutrients. While some water-soluble vitamins like vitamin C and B vitamins will simply be excreted if consumed in excess, under-dosing on essential nutrients like iron and calcium is a real concern and will fail to close any nutritional gaps you might have as an adult.
Cost-Effectiveness
Hiya's vitamins are not sold in stores and require a subscription. At a typical price of over $1 per serving for children, taking enough tablets to meet adult RDAs would be very expensive. Purchasing a purpose-built adult multivitamin would be more cost-effective and provide the correct nutrient levels.
Specialized Adult Needs
Adults have different needs depending on gender, age, and lifestyle. For instance, women require more iron and different ratios of certain vitamins. Seniors may need specific nutrients to support bone density or eye health. Adult-specific multivitamins are designed to cater to these unique requirements. Using a children's vitamin ignores these important physiological differences.
Conclusion: Better to Opt for an Adult-Specific Supplement
In short, while an adult can technically ingest a Hiya vitamin without immediate harm, it is not an effective or sensible way to supplement one's diet. The product is meticulously formulated for the developmental needs and smaller bodies of children, resulting in inadequate dosages for adults. Furthermore, the cost is prohibitive for a multi-tablet-per-day regimen.
For adults looking to supplement their nutrition, the best course of action is to choose a multivitamin specifically formulated for adults. For any significant dietary concerns or health questions, including whether supplements are necessary, it is always recommended to consult a healthcare professional or registered dietitian. A comprehensive and personalized approach is far more beneficial than relying on a child's supplement.
Hiya Health's FAQ on their multivitamin for children Innerbody Research's comprehensive review of Hiya vitamins
