Kids Vitamin D Supplements: What Parents Need to Know

When it comes to nutrition, children frequently fall short on consuming enough vitamin D. This is especially true for kids that don’t drink milk. However, the impact of vitamin D on kids’ health is substantial. Because of this, kids vitamin D supplements are increasingly being prescribed by pediatricians.

Why Is Vitamin D So Important?
Vitamin D is an essential vitamin that helps the body balance calcium and phosphorus. Without sufficient levels of vitamin D, there is not enough calcium deposited into the bones to keep them healthy and strong. A deficiency of vitamin D can cause a variety of problems including bone diseases such as rickets, osteoporosis, and osteomalacia (a softening of the bones). Low vitamin D is also linked to other conditions including diabetes, ADHD, autism, heart disease, and depression. 

Studies have shown that up to 60% of children in the United States have insufficient vitamin D levels. Currently, the recommended amount of vitamin D is 400IU for babies under one year of age. For older children, this amount increases to 600 IU.

Sources of Vitamin D
Vitamin D fortified milk is the most common source of vitamin D. Salmon, tuna, and eggs also have measurable amounts of the vitamin. The body naturally produces vitamin D, as well, when the skin is exposed to the sun. Most experts believe that exposure 15 minutes, two to three times a week is beneficial in vitamin D production.

What Are the Best Kids Vitamin D Supplements?
Vitamin D3 is the most common type of the vitamin found in drops and chewables. Drops are the best option for infants, babies, and toddlers. For older children, a chewable supplement like Animal Parade Vitamin D3 is a convenient option that is both hypo-allergenic and vegetarian. Animal Parade has 500IU of vitamin D per chewable which is 125% of the daily value for children. When combined with a healthy diet and occasional sun exposure, kids vitamin D supplements can be a great solution for ensuring your child has sufficient vitamin D to support their long-term bone health and growing.

New Research Shows Vitamin D Supplements for Kids Could Help Combat Symptoms of ADHD

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common conditions among children. Characterized by an inability to focus and control behavior, the percentage of children with ADHD has steadily grown over the last two decades. Genes certainly play a role in this condition. However, diet may also be a factor. New research is showing that a deficiency of vitamin D could be a contributing factor when it comes to ADHD. And for some children, kids vitamin D supplements could be an important part of their treatment plan.

In a recent study from Qatar presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics Experience National Conference & Exhibition, findings showed a distinct link between vitamin D deficiency and ADHD. The research team evaluated more than 1300 children with ADHD and an equal amount without ADHD to serve as controls. Vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, cholesterol, and phosphorus were measured in each child. Those with a vitamin D deficiency had a significantly higher rate of ADHD than those that had average vitamin D levels.

Because children who have ADHD are also frequently sensitive to sugar, artificial colorings, and other additives, many nutrition and medical experts recommend natural vitamin D supplements for kids with ADHD. It’s important to note that most kids vitamin D supplements found on grocery store shelves contain additives that can increase symptoms of ADHD, so it is important to carefully choose a supplement that is free from these additives.

If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, speaking to your healthcare provider about vitamin D supplements for kids is a good idea as more research is being conducted regarding the link between the vitamin and the condition. Read more about the study conducted at the School Health and Primary Health Care Clinics, Qatar.

Kids vitamin D supplements May Help Kids Suffering from Eczema

Kids vitamin D supplements given on a daily basis may help children with eczema that flares up in the winter suggests a new study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 

Researchers who conducted the study found that vitamin D significantly reduced the symptoms associated with the chronic skin disorder that is characterized by itchy, inflamed patches of skin. A common treatment for winter-related atopic dermatitis is ultraviolet light which stimulates vitamin D production. In the study, they look at the possibility that the condition gets worse in the winter when there is less sunlight. Because sunlight exposure enables the body to produce vitamin D, there is a greater chance of developing eczema during the darker months of winter.

The study was conducted with the help of the Health Sciences University of Mongolia and involved 107 Mongolian children between the ages of 2 and 17 – all with atopic dermatitis that flared up in the winter months. One group of the participants was given a daily dose of vitamin D and the others received a placebo.

Of those who received the vitamin D supplement, there was a 29 percent improvement in symptoms. These findings will give new hope in treating this chronic condition. With kids vitamin D supplements, there may be a safe, affordable, and convenient treatment for kids suffering from eczema.

More studies will be conducted to determine if vitamin D supplements for kids could also be beneficial for those who suffer from year-round atopic dermatitis. In the meantime, it’s worthwhile to discuss the benefits of vitamin D with your child’s doctor to determine if kids vitamin D supplements are beneficial.

For more information about vitamin D, go to the U.S. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements website.

Tackling Childhood Obesity with Kids Vitamin D supplements

It has long been known that vitamin D is important for bone health – particularly for growing children. However, new research is showing a link between vitamin D and healthy weight in children. In a study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, vitamin D deficiency was found to be widespread in obese adolescents. This compelling evidence is prompting some healthcare professionals to recommend kids vitamin D supplements for children battling weight gain.

Dr. Ze’ev Harel, the author of the study, said, “It is possible that the association between obesity and low vitamin D status is indirect, arising from obese individuals having fewer outdoor activities than lean individuals, and therefore, less exposure to sun. Likewise, is it also possible that obese individuals do not consume enough foods that contain vitamin D?”

All individuals, regardless of their age, are at increased health risk with vitamin D deficiency. These health risks include higher rates of some types of cancer, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, and other diseases. Vitamin D, whether it is consumed in food or taken as children’s vitamin D supplements, is also beneficial in boosting the immune system.

Another theory linking vitamin D deficiency and obesity has to do with its role in the regulation of calcium. Calcium deficiency, which often goes hand-in-hand with vitamin D deficiency, increases the production of synthase, an enzyme that converts calories into fat. A calcium deficiency can increase synthase production by up to 500 percent. Vitamin D is also important in the regulation of blood sugar.

Children’s Vitamin D to Support Good Health
Kids vitamin D supplements are a quick and easy solution for ensuring your child is getting enough vitamin D to support good health. In a single chewable, a child can get enough supplemental vitamin D to support optimal health.

According to a study in the Archives of Internal Medicine, more than 75% of Americans, including teenagers, are deficient in vitamin D. More than 25% are obese. With additional research, the role vitamin D plays in obesity and weight loss will determine whether or not kids vitamin D supplements will be recommended to all children to ward off the risks of being overweight.