What Parents Should Know About Vitamin D Supplementation
Many parents want to give their children vitamin D supplements, but they may not know if their child is actually deficient in vitamin D or how much is the right amount. Let's discuss the important points about supplementing vitamin D for children.
What is Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is a nutrient that is essential for building and maintaining healthy bones.
What is the Role of Vitamin D?
Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, which is a key component of bones. It also regulates many other cellular functions in the body.
Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency
- Poor Sleep Quality Vitamin D promotes calcium absorption and helps regulate the nervous system. A deficiency in vitamin D can increase nervous excitability, leading to poor sleep quality in children.
- Poor Bone Development Long-term vitamin D deficiency in children can lead to poor bone development and bone deformities, such as bow legs (O-shaped legs) or knock knees (X-shaped legs).
- Weakened Immune System If a child has a long-term deficiency in vitamin D, it can result in a weakened immune system, making them more susceptible to respiratory infections, pneumonia, and other illnesses. It's recommended that children engage in regular outdoor activities, such as jogging or playing badminton, to strengthen their bodies and boost their immunity.
In addition, children with vitamin D deficiency may also experience symptoms such as lethargy and loss of appetite.
How to Supplement Vitamin D
- Sunlight Exposure When exposed to sunlight, the skin converts 7-dehydrocholesterol into vitamin D. However, if sunlight is filtered through glass, some of the ultraviolet rays are blocked, reducing the amount of vitamin D synthesized by the skin and affecting calcium absorption. Outdoor activities can also help strengthen the body and boost immunity.
- Dietary Sources It is recommended that children include foods rich in vitamin D in their daily diet, such as milk, eggs, fish, and shrimp.
- Supplements If necessary, vitamin D supplements or multivitamins containing vitamin D can be used under the guidance of a doctor. Vitamin D is sometimes labeled as vitamin D3.
