Vitamin D recommendation for kids is doubled

The American Academy of Pediatrics today recommended a doubling of the amount of vitamin D children receive. The doctors, meeting this week in Boston, said infants, children and teenagers should get 400 international units of vitamin D each day, up from 200 IU that had been prescribed in the past.

The recommendation probably means that kids who don't already take a daily vitamin supplement will have to start. "Supplementation is important because most children will not get enough vitamin D through diet alone," said Dr. Frank Greer, chairman of the AAP Committee on Nutrition.

The new recommendation is aimed at preventing the bone-softening disease rickets in children. Adequate vitamin D intake, however, may also help prevent the future development of osteoporosis and other diseases. Research in adults shows vitamin D plays a key role in preventing infections, autoimmune diseases, cancer and diabetes.

The guidelines emphasize that infants who are breast-fed should begin receiving vitamin D supplements in the first few days of life because many women do not get enough vitamin D and their breast milk may be deficient. Non-breast-fed babies and older children who do not drink one quart per day of vitamin D fortified milk should also receive a supplement.

The full report on the new vitamin D guidelines is available from the AAP.

-- Shari Roan

Photo credit: Jessica Tefft / AP

Comments

[deralaand]

A recent Star Tribune article:
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/health/28701254.html?elr=KArks7PYDiaK7DUvDE7aL_V_BD77:DiiUiacyKUnciatkEP7DhU

Dr. Greg Plotnikoff indicates that we need to be getting far more than the 400 I.U. recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

any thoughts?

[naturalhealthedge.com]

From a natural health perspective it is often the case that our modern, refined and processed Western diets and the soils in which our foods are grown are often deficient in the level of nutrients required for optimal health.
It is easy to increase Vitamin D in your childs diet with a supplement of cod liver oil. One tablespoon of medicinal cod liver oil contains 2271IU of Vitamin D.
However, more is not better and the recommended 400IU should not be exceeded. Too much Vitamin D will adversely interact with the balance of other nutrients in the body and can have toxic side effects such as itching skin, vomiting, diarrhea and fatigue.
To get adequate amounts through the diet alone, some of the best foods to include are canned salmon, 100g (624IU), Canned tuna, 1 can (404IU), whole milk & chocolate milk, fortified (93IU), Corn flakes, 30g (42IU) and egg yolk, 1 large (25IU).
Another natural solution is to allow your children 20 – 30 minutes sun exposure daily.