Should Kids Take Vitamins? What You Need to Know
It's normal for parents to question whether their children require vitamins for proper growth and wellness.
With such a wide range of vitamin supplements available, it can be hard to determine which, if any, you need for your little one.
There is so much contradictory information about whether kids need vitamins.
Some believe that a balanced diet should supply all that a child needs, but others argue that modern diets and lifestyles are often inadequate.
In this article, we’ll define whether or not kids need vitamins, when to supplement, and what to look for in a good vitamin supplement.
Why Kids Might Need Vitamins
Vitamins are vitally important to a child’s overall health and include everything from growth to immune function to brain development.
Vitamins are important nutrients that are needed to maintain the body’s important functions.
They can help children grow and develop properly and resist illnesses.
Although a healthy, balanced diet should offer most of the nutrients kids need, some children may need vitamin supplementation for different reasons.
Vitamins like vitamin A, D, and C are especially important for a child’s growth and development (1). Vitamin D significantly impacts immune and bone health.
Vitamin A ensures vision and the skin is healthy, while vitamin C ensures tissue repair and immunity.
These vitamins, among others, help a child to grow physically, cognitively, and emotionally.
Moderate consumption of fruits, vegetables, protein, and healthy fats can supply most of the children’s vitamins.
Nonetheless, some children may still be deficient in certain nutrients if their diet is not varied.
Common Deficiencies in Kids
Some of the vitamins are more likely to be lacking in kids because of their diet or lifestyle.
Vitamin D deficiency is especially common in children who do not receive enough sunlight or fortified foods (2).
A deficiency in vitamin A may also occur, particularly in children who do not consume enough of colorful vegetables or dairy.
Another prevalent issue that leads to anemia, a disorder that causes exhaustion and developmental issues, is iron deficiency.
If your child is not eating a variety of nutrient-rich foods, he or she may not be getting the full range of vitamins and minerals necessary.
Vitamin Supplements for Healthy Kids?
A healthy, balanced diet is adequate to provide most children with their vitamin requirements.
However, certain children may need vitamin supplements because of dietary restrictions, health conditions, or other reasons.
When Are Supplements Necessary?
Supplements might be needed if a child is not ingesting a certain vitamin adequately from their diet (3).
For example, picky eaters may have trouble eating sufficient fruits and vegetables, and will be deficient in vitamin A or C.
Children with a vegetarian or vegan diet may require extra vitamin B12, iron, a nd omega-3 fatty acids.
A vitamin D supplement may be important for children who don’t receive sufficient sun exposure.
Even though nutritional gaps may be filled by supplements, supplements should not replace a healthy, balanced diet.
Signs that Your Child May Need a Vitamin Supplement
Certain indications that a child may need a vitamin supplement include:
- Fatigue or lack of energy
- Frequent illnesses or infections
- Poor growth or developmental delays
- Pale skin or brittle nails
- Dry hair or skin
If your child is exhibiting any of these symptoms, your pediatrician may be worth consulting about supplements.
Are Multivitamins a Good Choice for Kids?
Multivitamins are frequently labeled as the answer to everything when it comes to children’s nutrition.
But are they the right choice for your child?
Multivitamins may be helpful in some cases, but they’re not always needed for each child.
Multivitamins vs. Individual Vitamins
The purpose of multivitamins is to deliver a broad range of vital vitamins and minerals in a single dosage.
This might be useful for children who are at risk of deficiencies because of a bad diet or poor health.
However, for children who only need one particular vitamin, taking a multivitamin is not the best option.
For instance, if a child is lacking vitamin D but has plenty of other vitamins, a vitamin D supplement may be more advisable than a multivitamin.
If you want to give your child a multivitamin, then it is important to find one that will meet their individual needs.
Find a multivitamin that is age-appropriate and devoid of artificial fillers, sweeteners, and additives.
It’s also important to ensure that the vitamin levels are not too high, which can be toxic.
Always consult your children’s doctor before your child takes any new supplement.
What Happens if a Child Doesn’t Take Vitamins?
Numerous health problems, some temporary and others permanent, can affect children who are vitamin deficient.
Possible Health Effects of Vitamin Deficiencies
The lack of vitamin A can cause vision problems, while the lack of vitamin D can cause rickets (4), a condition that weakens bones.
Anemia can result from iron deficiency, and it causes fatigue, poor concentration, and developmental delays.
Rare in developed countries, vitamin C deficiency may cause scurvy, a disease that affects the skin, joints, teeth, and blood vessels.
It is critical that children get the nutrients that will help them avoid these health problems.
The Significance of the Balanced Diet
Although supplements can help, the best way to ensure that your child gets the vitamins he needs from his diet is through a balanced diet.
Most of their meals should be filled with fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.
Introducing colorful foods in their daily meals would help them to take different essential vitamins and minerals.
Best Vitamins for Kids: What to Look For
In choosing vitamins for kids, it is important to know the nutrients that would be most beneficial for their growth and health.
Best Vitamins for Immune Support, Growth, etc.
Vitamin D plays an important role in supporting a healthy immune system and bone growth (5).
Vitamin C also enhances immunity and tissue repair, and vitamin A supports vision and skin.
Iron is necessary for healthy blood cells and energy, while B vitamins are needed for both metabolism and the brain.
Best Practices for Supplementation
Never give your child a vitamin supplement without consulting your pediatrician.
They can assist in determining whether or not any vitamins are needed at all, depending on the child’s diet, age, and health requirements.
If you do choose to provide your child with a supplement, make sure you are using the recommended dosage and timing.
It’s usually better to take vitamins with food to help with absorption.
Final Thoughts
Overall, while most kids can access the nutrients they need from a balanced diet, some children may need vitamins for growth and development.
Supplements can help to cover nutritional gaps for picky eaters, children with special diets, or those who have certain health needs.
It’s important to speak to a pediatrician before incorporating any new vitamins into your child’s routine to make sure they are receiving the correct nutrients in the correct amounts.
A nutritionally balanced diet is still the key to good health, and the use of vitamins should not be necessary.
If you are in search of healthy, natural supplements to assist your child’s health, consider investigating the offerings of Wild Foods’ vitamin annutrient-enhanced products.
🌟 Give Your Kids a Boost! Fuel their growth with our Wild Kids Multivitamin Gummies and support their strong, healthy development! 🍇
FAQs on Should Kids Take Vitamins
Are kids really in need of vitamins?
It is not necessary for all kids to take vitamins when they are on a balanced diet. However, children who are picky eaters or those who have limited diets may benefit from supplementation.
How old should my child be before I start giving him or her multivitamins?
Multivitamins can be introduced at age 2 or 3, but before that, you should consult with a pediatrician because you want to make sure the nutritional needs of your child are being met.
Does vitamin A benefit kids?
Indeed, vitamin A is necessary for growth, immunity, a nd vision. It’s especially important for children in their developmental years.
What if a child does not take vitamins?
Lack of vital vitamins may cause children to suffer from fatigue, impaired immunity, dwarfism, or other developmental problems.
When should kids take vitamins?
It’s usually better to give kids their vitamins in the morning or with food to aid absorption and prevent stomach upset.
Related Studies
1. Title: Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and Vitamin C in Child Growth and Development
This study emphasizes the biological roles of vitamins A, D, and C in supporting children's growth, cognitive development, and immune system, highlighting their importance for both illness prevention and healthy development.
Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6893768/
2. Title: Vitamin D Food Fortification and Nutritional Status in Children
Vitamin D-fortified foods successfully raise serum vitamin D levels in children ages 2–11, lowering the high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency brought on by inadequate sun exposure and nutritional intake, according to this systematic review of randomized clinical trials.
Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6893768/
3. Title: Appropriate and Inappropriate Vitamin Supplementation in Children
This study reviews the effectiveness and recommendations for vitamin supplementation in children with dietary deficiencies, emphasizing vitamin D supplementation to prevent rickets and support immune function, especially in at-risk populations.
Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7288613/
4. Title: Vitamin D Deficiency in Kids: Signs, Symptoms, and More
This article highlights the serious health dangers of low vitamin D levels by outlining the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency in children, such as rickets, immunological dysfunction, delayed growth, and bone abnormalities.
Link: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-d-deficiency-in-kids-and-teens
5. Title: Vitamin D and Immunity in Infants and Children
This comprehensive review discusses vitamin D’s role as a key regulator of immune function and bone health in children, showing how vitamin D supplementation reduces infection rates and supports both innate and adaptive immunity.
Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7282029/
