About one third of children in this country take a daily multi-vitamin. The question is are they really necessary? Anyone who has children knows that they can be picky eaters. Our children also grow up eating a lot of processed and junk foods that have little or no nutritional value. Others spend little or no time in the sunlight or eliminate entire food groups such as fruits and vegetables from their diets. Children who are lactose intolerant or just do not like to drink milk may be lacking in vitamin D. It was recently reported that as many as 70% of children under the age of 21 are vitamin D deficient in the United States. There is serious concern about the affects of this on their bone health later in life. Other children may have a chronic disease that may deplete them of essential vitamins and nutrients that they need. If you child falls into any of these categories it is probably a good idea to consider vitamin supplementation. If your child is eating a balanced diet and getting enough fruits and vegetables it is probably not necessary. They are probably getting all of the nutrients needed from the foods they are eating. Always consult with your doctor to see if he or she thinks a vitamin supplement for your child is appropriate.
If you decide to give your child a multi-vitamin, what should you be looking for? Always look for a vitamin that is formulated specifically for children. Having smaller bodies they do not require the same amount of vitamins and nutrients as an adult would. One study recently done concluded that too much iron can be harmful to growing bodies. Also for the same reason you what to follow the recommended dosages of the manufacturer. This is important whether you are a child or an adult. Never let a child administer their own vitamins, even if you believe they are responsible enough to do so. A lot of manufacturers will make their product to taste good to children for obvious reasons but you need to let your child know that this is not candy. Vitamins and nutritional supplements should always be administered under adult supervision. When reading the manufacturers label there are certain vitamins and nutrients that you may want to check for. We have listed some of the more important ones below.
* Vitamin A - This primarily comes from milk and infant formulas. Some children with fat malabsorption can show signs of vitamin A deficiency. Also children with poor diets.
* Vitamin C - Although uncommon in this day and age lack of vitamin C can cause scurvy in children under the age of one year. Vitamin C is good at preventing colds and upper respiratory infections.
* Iron - This is critical for the manufacture of blood and also develops muscles.
* Calcium - We all know that calcium in needed for strong bones and teeth. It is also needed for contraction of muscles and the secretion of hormones and enzymes. This is the most abundant mineral in our bodies due to its importance.
* Vitamin K - This is essential for proper blood clotting. Some infants that did not receive vitamin K shots or those that are exclusively breast feed can be deficient.
* Fluoride - Tap water is an excellent source of this. Children that only drink bottled or well water can be deficient. If this is the case you may want to speak to your doctor about supplementation.
* Zinc - This is a mineral that becomes more important during adolescence as it promotes sexual maturity.
As parents we need to be aware of our children's nutritional requirements during different stages of their lives. Making sure that your children are receiving the proper vitamins and minerals through diet and supplementation can sometimes be a confusing task. Speak with your health care provider about supplementation if you have any concerns.
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John Bradstreet is an experienced Biochemist with extensive knowledge in nutritional supplementation. He is committed to a healthy lifestyle through natural means. To learn more about
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