I was disappointed to hear the results of a new study about vitamin D levels in our children. Researchers found that about 70 percent of U. S. children have low levels of vitamin D, a problem that puts them at higher risk for bone and heart disease – among other things. Some groups were even more susceptible to insufficient levels of the sunshine vitamin, including girls, African- and Mexican-Americans, obese kids, kids who drank milk less than once a week, and kids who spent more than four hours per day engaged in couch potato-type activities like watching TV, playing video games or using computers. The researchers called the results “shocking,” but I can’t say I’m surprised. It’s tough for our kids to get enough vitamin D. Our body can produce it when our skin is exposed to sunlight sometime between the hours of about 10 am and 3 pm, but today’s kids are often indoors most of the day. And when they are outdoors we parents do a great job of using sunscreen to prevent dangerous burns, which creates a barrier to the vitamin D production. Most foods do not contain a significant amount of vitamin D, and it’s hard to ingest enough vitamin D-fortified milk, yogurt, cereals, and breads to get the recommended 400 IU/day that the American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends for kids (Read more about their recommendations). Kids can get a full day’s supply from just one 3. 5-oz serving of a fatty fish such as catfish and salmon, but eating too much fish has its own risks, and despite the many benefits of fish, the way we have polluted our waters has prompted the FDA and EPA to recommend that young children only get two meals a week of fish or shellfish low in mercury. One easy and efficient way to ensure your kids get the vitamin D they need is to give them a multivitamin supplement every day with 400 IU of vitamin D. The study showed that kids who did take supplements were less likely to be deficient in vitamin D, but only 4 percent of the kids in the study took supplements! I hope the findings of this study and the increased attention to kids’ nutrition will encourage more parents to safeguard their children’s vitamin levels with a good multivitamin. Read more about choosing the right supplements…2004 EPA and FDA Advisory: What You Need to Know About Mercury in Fish and ShellfishBy following these three recommendations for selecting and eating fish or shellfish, women and young children will receive the benefits of eating fish and shellfish and be confident that they have reduced their exposure to the harmful effects of mercury. 1. Do not eat Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel, or Tilefish because they contain high levels of mercury. 2. Eat up to 12 ounces (2 average meals) a week of a variety of fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury. o Five of the most commonly eaten fish that are low in mercury are shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, and catfish. o Another commonly eaten fish, albacore (”white”) tuna has more mercury than canned light tuna. So, when choosing your two meals of fish and shellfish, you may eat up to 6 ounces (one average meal) of albacore tuna per week. 3. Check local advisories about the safety of fish caught by family and friends in your local lakes, rivers, and coastal areas. If no advice is available, eat up to 6 ounces (one average meal) per week of fish you catch from local waters, but don’t consume any other fish during that week. Follow these same recommendations when feeding fish and shellfish to your young child, but serve smaller portions. For more information visit, http://blogs. drgreene. com/blog/2009/08/12/health-check-are-your-kids-getting-enough-vitamin-d/
Posts Tagged ‘Multivitamin’
Are Vitamins Really Necessary for our Childrens Health and Good Nutrition?
October 20th, 2009As every parent knows children can be very picky eaters and can consume junk foods that have little nutritional value. Does this mean that every child should be taking a multivitamin? The answer to this question is not necessarily, as long as the child is getting a balanced diet he or she can receive the nutrients and vitamins they need through food intake. The problem arises when a child is eliminating a whole food group from their diets, suffers from a chronic disease, is not getting the proper amount of sunlight in their daily activities or does not drink vitamin-D fortified milk. This is when supplementation is probably a good idea. You should always consult your physician before starting your child on a multivitamin.
What Should You Look for in a Childs Multivitamin?
You should always choose a multivitamin that is specifically formulated for children. Giving a child a supplement formulated for an adult is not a good idea. Children have smaller bodies and require fewer nutrients. For example, studies have shown that too much iron can be harmful to developing bodies. You need to be aware and follow the recommended daily dosage and remind the child that this is not candy. Always administer vitamin supplements under the supervision of a parent, even if the child is responsible enough to do it themselves.
What Vitamins and Minerals are Important to Your Child’s Health
Vitamin A – Milk and infant formulas are a very important source of vitamin A. A deficiency can occur in children with fat malabsorption or a very poor diet
Vitamin C – Many parents provide too much vitamin C to prevent colds and upper respiratory problems. Lack of vitamin C can cause scurvy which is uncommon but can occur in children under the age of one year.
Iron – This is important in a child’s growth because it promotes strong muscles and blood production. It is good to feed children a diet high in iron.
Calcium – This is a very important mineral for producing and maintaining strong bones. It is also an important mineral in preventing the onset of osteoporosis as we age.
Vitamin K – This is important in proper blood clotting. It can be deficient in newborns that did not receive a vitamin K shot or are being exclusively breast feed.
Fluoride – Children need fluoride after the age of six months to prevent cavities. Normally tap water is a good source of fluoride. If a child is only drinking bottled water or well water you may want to talk to your doctor about supplementation.
Zinc – This is a very important mineral for adolescents as it promotes sexual maturity.
In conclusion, it is very important that we, as parents, are aware of the nutritional requirements of our children during different stages of development. A decision needs to be made if the child is receiving proper nutrition through their diets or there are holes in the eating habits which would better be dealt with through supplementation. Remember to always consult your child’s doctor before putting them on any supplements.
By: John Bradstreet
