Doctors and health experts worldwide have unanimously agreed that Vitamin D is one of the most crucial vitamins required by the human body. However, it is the only vitamin with limited or scarce food sources. Babies should receive this vitamin immediately after birth, with specific dosages, due to its importance for their health and development. Breast milk, though rich in various nutrients, is particularly low in Vitamin D, which is why it is essential for pediatricians to recommend supplementation early in life.
In a special interview with "Seda and Child," Dr. Khawla Khalil, a specialist in therapeutic nutrition, highlighted the importance of Vitamin D for children, as well as how to obtain it naturally, its food sources, and the recommended daily dosage to ensure healthy growth, immunity, and development for your child.
What is Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is often referred to as the "sun vitamin" because the body can only utilize it when exposed to direct sunlight. Sunlight helps convert a chemical in the skin into an active form of Vitamin D known as "calciferol." The amount of Vitamin D the skin produces depends on several factors such as geographic location, season, and skin pigmentation. Therefore, early exposure to sunlight is vital for newborns.
Vitamin D exists in two forms: Vitamin D2, which is found in plants and yeast, and is often used to create high-dose supplements, and Vitamin D3, which is produced in the skin when exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D3 is also found in foods like cod liver oil, egg yolks, fatty fish, and animal liver.
Benefits of Vitamin D for Children
Vitamin D is essential for maintaining healthy bones and teeth in children. It facilitates the eruption of teeth during teething and helps children with basic physical activities like eating and walking. This makes it critical for their development. Vitamin D plays a dual role by boosting calcium levels in the body. Without sufficient Vitamin D, the body cannot effectively absorb calcium, which is essential for strong bones and teeth from an early age.
In addition to bone health, Vitamin D significantly strengthens the immune system in both adults and children. It aids in the absorption of zinc and phosphate, minerals that are important for boosting immunity. A deficiency in Vitamin D can lead to respiratory issues in children, particularly affecting the upper respiratory system. In many cases, doctors may treat breathing problems like sinus infections without first checking the child's Vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D also prevents dental deformities during teething, such as cavities or defects that are difficult to treat. It contributes to spinal health, preventing spinal curvature, and helps avoid uneven walking due to Vitamin D deficiency. It also reduces the risk of rickets and bone softening, especially during the toddler stage when children begin to walk. Moreover, it protects against bone fractures during play and alleviates leg and elbow pain during growth phases.
Vitamin D helps maintain the integrity of the pelvic bones, preventing deformities that can lead to walking difficulties, and it safeguards the child's skull and chest from deformities that may affect posture and overall appearance.
In infants, Vitamin D also plays a role in reducing the symptoms of psoriasis, a persistent skin condition that requires long treatment periods.
Natural Sources of Vitamin D
While Vitamin D is one of the vitamins with limited natural food sources, you can still include certain foods in your child's diet to meet their Vitamin D needs. These sources include egg yolks, some types of fish, yogurt, milk, and animal liver.
How to Provide Vitamin D to Your Child
For infants who are breastfed, Vitamin D should be provided in the form of drops starting at the second month of life and should not be delayed beyond the fourth month. The recommended daily dosage is 400 international units (IU). The dosage increases as the child grows: for children aged 1 to 2 years, 600 IU per day is recommended. For children over the age of 9, the daily Vitamin D dosage should not exceed 4000 IU.
For infants who are formula-fed, Vitamin D supplementation should be introduced later, as infant formula already contains a fixed amount of Vitamin D. Formula-fed babies typically receive around 20% to 37% of their daily Vitamin D requirements from formula.
It is important not to administer Vitamin D to your child before bedtime, whether in drops, liquid, or capsule form, as it can interfere with sleep patterns by affecting melatonin production, the hormone responsible for regulating sleep cycles.
Even when your child is sick, continue providing them with Vitamin D. Some parents mistakenly stop giving it during illness, thinking it will not be absorbed properly. However, continuing Vitamin D supplementation is crucial as it supports the immune system during illness and helps in faster recovery.
After the age of 2, it is also beneficial to give your child a daily dose of magnesium, as magnesium enhances the absorption of Vitamin D. Ensure that your child receives the correct magnesium dosage, as recommended by a doctor, and choose an appropriate supplement.
Conclusion
Vitamin D is a vital nutrient for the overall health and development of your child. Its benefits range from strong bones and teeth to boosting the immune system and preventing various health issues. By providing Vitamin D through appropriate dietary sources or supplements and ensuring proper exposure to sunlight, you can help ensure your child grows up healthy and strong.
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