Vitamins are essential for children. There is some debate about the necessity of vitamins in a child’s diet, so it is important to know that they can be very beneficial.
Vitamins help with development, growth, and immunity. They also help to maintain healthy skin and hair. Most importantly, though, taking vitamins promotes brain health, leading to improved cognitive functioning later on in life.
So, now the questions are should kids take vitamins, or do they even need them? Let’s get started with the kids specialist doctor
Do kids need Vitamin Supplements?
The answer is yes, and that’s what the specialist agrees on. The ideal scenario would be for children to obtain their vitamins from a varied, nutritious diet that included everything listed above:
- All the dairy products include cheese, yogurt, and milk.
- A lot of fresh green vegetables and fruits.
- Whole grains such as oats, brown rice, wheat, etc.
- Other proteins include fish, meat, chicken, and eggs.
Do Kids Need Vitamins Supplements or Food Sources Alone?
While many children get their daily dose from their food, it can sometimes still benefit your child to take a multivitamin supplement.
The recommended dosage of vitamin supplements depends on age and gender. So, always check with a kids specialist doctor before giving one to your child.
But you can’t just start giving vitamins to your kids. Instead, you should consult with a doctor to see if your child needs any at all.
In general, most children get enough vitamins from their regular diet, so taking a supplement might not be necessary. However, you should still consult with the pediatrician before making this decision, especially when kids are sick or need special diets.
Which Kids Need Vitamin Supplements?
Given the fact that time-crunched parents may not always be able to provide well-rounded, home-cooked meals. That’s why pediatricians might recommend a daily multivitamin or mineral supplement for:
Those who aren’t eating balanced meals made from fresh, whole foods might miss out on essential nutrients.
If your kid is a picky eater who doesn’t eat enough food.
- Children who consume a lot of fast food, prepared meals, and other processed foods
- Vegetarian and vegan children (might require an iron supplement), dairy-free children (who may require a calcium supplement), and another restricted diet.
- Children who consume a lot of fizzy beverages, which can remove vitamins and minerals from their systems.
Top 8 Vitamins and Minerals for Kids
Here are a few of the vitamins and minerals for kids that are necessary for their health and daily growth.
1- Vitamin A
This vitamin helps the cells build proteins necessary for good eyesight (in children) and their immune system’s ability to fight off infection. This vitamin also contributes to bone growth and reproduction.
2- Vitamin B
This vitamin supports a healthy nervous system and digestion. Vitamin B usually comes with other nutrients, such as biotin and riboflavin. Lack of this vitamin can lead to issues like low energy levels, muscle pains, and anemia. Niacin helps the body convert carbohydrates into usable fuel, while pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) enables proper metabolic functions in children’s bodies.
3- Vitamin C
Vitamin C is necessary for various aspects of growth and development within the child’s body. It contributes to blood vessel building, healthy gums, and teeth, strong bones, wound healing, and much more.
4- Vitamin Bs
Vitamin B complex comprises 8-12 water-soluble vitamins found in meat, dairy products, and yeast. They help the body convert carbohydrates into usable energy while promoting healthy skin, nerves, appetite, digestion, and immunity.
5- Vitamin D
Children need Vitamin D to absorb calcium for strong bones and teeth; it helps prevent rickets in kids who lack this unique vitamin! Vitamin D also aids in blood clotting (preventing excessive bleeding), muscle movement (including the heartbeat).
6- Calcium
We have all heard about calcium for building strong bones and preventing osteoporosis. Besides that, it is also used for muscle contraction, blood clotting nerve conduction, cell membrane function, hormone secretion, enzyme activity, and intracellular signaling.
7- Iron
Iron is also a quite crucial mineral for your kid as it helps to build muscles and hemoglobin. It is also a cofactor for many enzymes, including those facilitating cellular energy production and antioxidant defense mechanisms. If your kid is deficient in iron, then they will be tired all the time and suffer from headaches because anemia has set in.
8- Potassium
Potassium is another mineral that your kid needs to grow up healthy! It does so much for your body, like regulating the water balance (maintaining proper hydration), facilitating nerve conduction, muscle contraction (including the heartbeat), and heart function. Potassium supplements are recommended for kids with chronic diarrhea or vomiting due to some medications or other medical conditions.
How to know if your kid has Vitamin Deficiency?
Here are a few of the signs that indicate vitamin deficiency in your kids:
1- Overall, many of the symptoms associated with anemia can negatively impact a child’s development -> Fatigue and cognitive impairment are just two examples.
2- Iron deficient children may have tiredness, poor cognitive function, hair loss, brittle nails, or pallor, as just a few of the problems they might see.
3- Impaired growth and aches in bones.
4- Less or poor appetite and more often infections and illness.
Are you noticing any of these symptoms in your kids? Call the kids specialist doctor or you should visit the pediatric kids specialist in Dubai immediately. The doctor would analyze the dietary pattern of your kids and suggest the vitamins accordingly.
