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.

Autism and Vitamin D Deficiency – Could a Children’s Vitamin D Supplement Help?

In a study conducted at Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute (CHORI), vitamin D was shown to play a role in three brain hormones that affect social behavior. Autism, which is characterized by abnormal social behavior, has been linked to low serotonin and vitamin D levels. This research is shedding new light on the benefits of children’s vitamin D supplements.

In the study, researchers discovered that vitamin D activates a gene that helps to produce serotonin in the brain. This hormone plays a big part in social behavior. This lack of activation of the gene helps to explain many of the not understood facts about autism including:

1. Autistic children have low levels of serotonin in the brain.
2. Males are more likely to be autistic. Estrogen helps to boost brain levels of serotonin.

The study also suggests that dietary intervention with vitamin D, tryptophan, and omega 3 fatty acids would help boost brain serotonin concentrations to help prevent some symptoms associated with autism without side effects. Because there is little vitamin D found in most common foods, a children’s vitamin D supplement is an inexpensive solution that can help raise vitamin D levels.

Of course, it’s important to discuss the addition of any new therapy, including kids vitamin D, with your pediatrician. Monitoring of vitamin D levels should be monitored closely, and it is becoming increasingly clear that the vitamin should be an important part of prenatal care such as folic acid.