Health professionals would agree that the years between 4 to 12 are crucial to a child’s healthy growth. As parents, it is only fitting that you are watchful of what and how much your child consumes. You ensure that they get the nutrients that their body requires to ward off any illnesses that may disrupt their quality of life.

Vitamin D is one of the essential nutrients that is given top priority by pediatricians when it comes to the prevention of childhood diseases. For this reason, you may be on the lookout for the best Vitamin D supplement for your kids.

Once you understand its importance to the body, getting adequate Vitamin D for your child will become easier than you think.

In this article, we will get a grasp on what Vitamin D is, its functions, sources, and how much is required for children. We will also talk about making sure their body gets the right amount of Vitamin D, the best time to introduce supplements, and choosing the best vitamin D supplement for your kid.            

Vitamin D is one of the four fat-soluble vitamins (along with Vitamin A, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K). As such, it is absorbed by the small intestines and formed into a micelle along with fat.

Furthermore, vitamin D is best known for its anti-rachitic properties due to its role in preventing rickets among children.

It can be found in two forms: ergocalciferol (Vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3). Vitamin D3 is produced by the human body while Vitamin D2 comes from plants.

The mineral calcium is often the one most associated with bone health. However, one should know that Vitamin D plays a key role in the absorption of calcium. A deficiency in Vitamin D can lead to serious health risks among children. Vitamin D is important for calcium absorption and bone mineralization.

Vitamin D promotes the intestinal absorption of calcium and facilitates its entry in the bones.

Vitamin D is also vital to calcium and phosphorus balance. When blood calcium levels are low, Vitamin D3 is converted to calcitriol.  The kidneys are then prompted to increase calcium reabsorption to be released into the bloodstream. At the same time, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitriol stimulate bone calcium and phosphorus resorption.1

Now that we have seen its importance in building and maintaining healthy bones, low levels of Vitamin D can lead to serious health implications.

Rickets is one of the diseases closely associated with Vitamin D deficiency among young children. Rickets is a rare bone disease characterized by weak and soft bones as a result of prolonged low levels of Vitamin D. This causes the bone to undergo resorption where calcium is released.  The bones which are typically affected are the ribs and legs which appear to be bent or deformed.

Aside from building strong bones, other health advantages of sufficient Vitamin D intake include resistance to infections and a reduced risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

Natural Sources

Getting your child’s daily dose of Vitamin D is not hard as you think. In fact, time outside on a sunny day is more than enough for a child’s needs.

Children and adults alike benefit from sunlight exposure. As the skin gets exposed to ultraviolet B rays,  the body produces an active form of Vitamin D called cholecalciferol.

In foods, fatty fish (such as salmon, tuna, and sardines), eggs, and liver contain small amounts of Vitamin D. Fortified milk, orange juice, and breakfast cereals are also common dietary sources of Vitamin D.

Supplements

More Vitamin D dosage can be found in nutritional supplements. These can be bought over the counter and may be in the form of liquids, pills, chewable, gummies, and sprays.

Multivitamins with Vitamin D and combined calcium and Vitamin D are also available as supplements.

You may want to know how much Vitamin D your child should get in a day. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 600 international units (IU) per day for young children aged 3 up to the pre-adolescent age of 13 years.

However, there are some factors that should be considered in meeting your child’s Vitamin D needs. As mentioned, exposure to direct sunlight plays a role in the production of Vitamin D in the body.

Vitamin D intake may be reduced for children residing in tropical countries. Those who spend less time outside or are usually wearing clothes covering the skin may find themselves with a higher Vitamin D requirement.

Special cases may also drive parents to supplement their kids’ diet with Vitamin D. Parents need not worry of overdosage as most Vitamin D supplements for kids contain safe amounts that are within the recommended daily intake.

Healthy Diet

Proper diet and some time outdoors will ensure that your child gets enough Vitamin D.

Getting your children to eat a balanced diet may be one of the challenges that you have faced as parents. We have seen the various sources of Vitamin D so this will not be much of a hassle.

Morning Sunshine

As much as protection from harmful UV rays is vital, a healthy amount of time (10-15 minutes) under the sun can already do wonders. It might sound like a comedown but setting breaks from gadget use can actually be healthy.

Vitamin D-fortified Products

Most children are picky eaters and not all kids would be delighted to have that fatty fish on their plate. This is why most milk found in the market is fortified with vitamins and minerals as children make up the majority of the milk consumers.

Food products commonly consumed by kids are also fortified such as orange juice and breakfast cereals.

Vitamin D Supplements

If you still don’t think they are getting enough, then Vitamin D supplements are also a healthy choice.

Available in different shapes, sizes, and flavors, manufacturers have found plenty of ways to make these nutritional supplements as child friendly as possible.

It is important to get your child adequate Vitamin D to protect them from diseases such as rickets. The adoption of a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle for your kids is a step towards a good quality of life for them.

Moreso, vitamin D supplements are a healthful choice to ensure that their needs are met.

In some cases, there are children with special needs (Down Syndrome and autism spectrum disorder among others) whose nutrient intakes are closely monitored.

In addition, there are children with health conditions who take medications. For these instances, supplements help meet the increased need for Vitamin D.

Observe your child. And see if:

1. Do they consume little Vitamin D-fortified milk?
2. Do they spend most of their time indoors?

With a “NO” answers to these question, maybe it’s time to provide them with Vitamin D supplements.

Vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol is the ideal form of Vitamin D found in supplements. In the market, there are Vitamin D supplements suitable for different age groups.

Vitamin D supplements for kids usually contain 200-400 IU, depending on the brand. Most of these supplements no longer need a prescription. However, it is recommended to consult with a pediatrician to avoid overdosing.  

Nuzest’s Kids Good Stuff is a delicious nutrient-dense nutritional support that your kids can greatly enjoy while growing healthily from the inside out!

In every serving of the Kids Good Stuff, your child can get up to 10mcg of Vitamin D3!

Here’s more about our Kids Good Stuff:

• Low sugar | Vegan | Gluten-free | Dairy-Free | Nut-Free | Non-GMO
• Made from real food including 11 different fruit and veg
• Vitamin and mineral boost helps to fill any nutritional gaps in their diet
• Good for everyone for all ages from 4 and up
• For happier insides with pre-and probiotics
• Supports healthy bones with 200mg calcium per serve 
• Aids growth and development with 8g of plant-based protein per serve
• Nurtures learning and focus through brain-supportive nutrients
• Provides long-lasting energy to help them live, learn, grow and play

Disclaimer:

The information provided on Nuzest is for educational and informational purposes only. The information provided on this site is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional advice or care. Please speak to your qualified healthcare professional in the event that something you have read here raises questions or concerns regarding your health.