Vitamin D Supplements

A new nationally representative study suggests that millions of children in the US between the ages of 1 and 11 don't have enough vitamin D, and that non-whites, such as black and Hispanic children are especially at risk.

The National Institutes of Health funded study, which is considered to be the most up to date analysis of vitamin levels in American children, was led by Dr Jonathan Mansbach of Children's Hospital Boston, and colleagues from the University of Colorado Denver and Massachusetts General Hospital, and is published in the November issue of Pediatrics.

Children need vitamin D in their early years to develop strong bones and may help prevent many childhood diseases such as asthma and colds and flu.

"There are a lot of studies demonstrating associations between low levels of vitamin D and poor health. Therefore, we believe many US children would likely benefit from more vitamin D," he added.

"Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels Among US Children Aged 1 to 11 Years: Do Children Need More Vitamin D?"
Jonathan M. Mansbach, Adit A. Ginde, and Carlos A. Camargo, Jr.
Pediatrics, Nov 2009; 124: 1404 - 1410.
DOI:10.1542/peds.2008-2041

Source: Written by: Catharine Paddock, PhD
Medical News Today Read more here

One way to ensure children get enough vitamin D each day is by giving them a liquid vitamin D supplement. This way they get what they need no matter what; in addition to what they may or may not obtain from food and sunlight.