When a Vitamin Supplement May Help
Kids and teens need vitamins and minerals to keep their body healthy. For example, vitamin D keeps their teeth and bones strong,3 and vitamin C helps them heal and fight off infections.4
Healthy snacks and meals are the best way for children and adolescents to receive all the vital nutrients they need.1 If your child has a well-balanced diet based on the Food Guide Pyramid recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, then he or she may not need a supplement.2
If your child has an alternative diet such as vegetarianism or veganism, a vitamin supplement may be a consideration. Before deciding, be sure to consult with your child’s doctor. Follow label instructions about serving size and dosage instructions. Stick to dosage recommendations to avoid problems.1,4
1 “Giving Your Child the Best Nutrition.” American Academy of Family Physicians, Am. Fam. Physician. 2006 Nov 1;74(9):1533-1534 www.aafp.org/afp/2006/1101/p1533.html Accessed 2010.
2 “Chapter 2: Adequate Nutrients Within Calorie Needs.” Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005. U.S. Department of Agriculture, July 9, 2008. www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/document/html/chapter2.htm#table1 Accessed 2010.
3 “Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin D.” National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements, April 18, 2008. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamind.asp Accessed 2010.
4 “Vitamin C.” American Cancer Society, May 25, 2010. www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/vitamin-c Accessed 2010.