Helping Kids Acquire the Sunshine Vitamin

Have Fun in the Sun

Vitamin D is essential for bone health and calcium balance in human body and deficient vitamin D levels (predominantly present in patients with chronic illness, dark-pigmented skin, poor nutrition and exclusively breastfed infants) manifests in the form of hypocalcemia, rickets and osteomalacia in children and adults.

Vitamin D promotes the absorption of calcium and phosphorus depositing these minerals in bones and teeth to make them stronger and healthier. Have a close look at the healthy sources of calcium from the website www.firsteatright.com. It also helps in improving heart health and fighting infections. Kids drink milk (at least most of them) and cow’s milk is fortified with vitamin D. This fortification almost zeroes down the risk of vitamin D deficiency in them. But, the growing consumption rates of juice and soft drinks instead of milk and absence of much outdoor activity (most kids are glued to their gaming sets or Internet) increases the chances of vitamin D deficiency in kids which can result in poor bone growth or rickets.

Vitamin D Levels Needed as Per Age

Every individual needs vitamin D to sustain his/her bone health. It is the quantity of vitamin D that changes as someone ages. The required levels are mentioned in international units (IU). Babies younger than 1-year old need 400 IU per liter. If your infant drinks only breast milk, it is essential that you talk to your healthcare provider about giving your baby supplements for vitamin D. Kids older than 1 year need 600 IU or more of vitamin D (almost around 1,000 IU) daily.

Children who might require a greater quantity of vitamin D include those with certain medical problems such as obesity, cystic fibrosis, celiac disease or multiple fractures, those recovering from a bone surgery or those taking medications that hinder body’s use of vitamin D.

Sunlight is the main source of vitamin D. Food sources include fortified milk (one cup of fortified milk contains 100 IU), fortified breakfast cereals, fortified non-dairy milk, egg yolk and fish such as salmon, mackerel and tuna. Encourage your child to drink a glass of vitamin D-fortified milk along with every meal as lack of this nutrient compels healthcare providers to prescribe supplements to manage daily required levels.