Research shows that Vitamin D helps the absorption of Calcium for stronger bones and a healthy immune system. Are you and your Kids getting enough D3?
Vitamin A 25,000iu with D-400iu, is a commonly used formula that provides added benefits such as supporting the formation of bone and cells and helping support the body's immune system. The nations leading pediatricians group says children from newborns to teens should get double the usually recommended amount of vitamin D because of evidence that it might help prevent serious diseases.
To meet the new recommendation of 400 units daily, millions of children will need to take daily vitamin D supplements, the American Academy of Pediatrics said. That includes breast-fed infants - even those who get some formula, too, and many teens who drink little or no milk.
Baby formula contains vitamin D, so infants on formula only generally dont need supplements. However, the academy recommends breast-feeding for at least the first year of life, and breast milk is sometimes deficient.
Most commercially available milk is fortified with vitamin D, but most children and teens dont drink enough of it - four cups daily would be needed - to meet the new requirement, said Frank Greer, the reports co-author.
The new advice is based on mounting research about potential benefits from vitamin D besides keeping bones strong, including
suggestions that it might reduce risks for cancer, diabetes and heart disease. But the evidence isnt conclusive, and theres no
consensus on how much of the vitamin would be needed for disease prevention.
The new advice replaces a 2003 academy recommendation for 200 units daily. Thats the amount the government recommends for children and adults up to age 50; 400 units is recommended for adults age 51 to 70 and 600 units for those age 71 and older.
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The Institute of Medicine, a government advisory group that sets dietary standards, is discussing with federal agencies whether those
recommendations should be changed based on emerging research, said spokeswoman Christine Stencel. Besides milk and some other fortified foods like cereal, vitamin D is found in oily fish including tuna, mackerel and sardines. But its hard to get enough through diet; the best source is sunlight because the body makes vitamin D
when sunshine hits the skin. It is believed that 10 to 15 minutes in the sun without sunscreen a few times weekly is sufficient for many, but people with dark skin and those in northern, less sunny climates need more. Because of sunlights link with skin cancer, "vitamin D supplements during infancy, childhood and adolescence are necessary," the academys report says. Recent studies have shown that many children dont get enough vitamin D, and cases of rickets, a bone disorder often associated with malnourishment in the 1800s, continue to occur.
Nutritional supplementation information is not intended
to be used in lieu of standard recognized Medical protocol but
rather is intended to provide the body with recognized essential nutrients
that may benefit tissue building and repair,
and metabolic function in conjunction with recognized Medical treatment
and with the approval of a patients current Medical provider.
If you have or suspect an illness or have a health concern, always consult with
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