Important Vitamins For A Child's Development

 

Vitamins play an important role in the human body and when it comes to a child, it becomes immensely important. Vitamins are essential for proper growth and development in a baby.

Vitamins are organic compounds that are found in small amounts in natural foodstuffs. Vitamins are required by a person to sustain life. Vitamins also play an important role in normal metabolism process, growth and vitality. There are two types of vitamins:

  • Water-soluble - Water-soluble vitamins are not stored in large amounts in the body and any extra vitamin is lost through the urine. Water-soluble vitamins include vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, vitamin C, biotin and folate.
  • Fat-soluble - Fat-soluble vitamins can be stored in the body, but a high amount of fat soluble vitamins in the body can cause some health problems. Fat soluble vitamin include  A, D, E and K.

A need of vitamins in a baby is very high as childhood is a time when growth and development of a baby take place and whenever a child lacks vitamins,  it has a significant impact on his or her health and such impacts can be for a lifetime.

Here is the list of some of the important vitamins required by a child for normal growth and development.

Vitamin A

According to the research, vitamin A deficiency is one of the most prevalent micronutrients across the world and it primarily affects children. Vitamin A plays a vital role in the normal growth and development in a child and having a sufficient amount of vitamin A also decreases the risk of suffering from various diseases.

Vitamin A is known to have a significant impact on the immune system in the body. Children with a weak immune system are susceptible to suffer from various health disorders that can affect the entire human body. There is evidence that states that lack of vitamin A in the body suppresses the immune system and as a result, it weakens it. The immune system in the body acts as a defensive system and protects the body from bacterias, virus, and other foreign invaders.  

Also, Vitamin A is essential for the normal epithelial tissue throughout the body. Measles is one of the common diseases among children which infects and damages epithelial tissue. Deficiency of vitamin A is one of the risk factors of developing measles.  

Good sources of Vitamin A?

  • Eggs
  • Broccoli
  • Spinach
  • Fortified skim milk

Also Read: How Can Alcohol Affect Your Reproductive System? 

Vitamin B

Vitamin B consists of eight water-soluble vitamins that play essential roles in the normal functioning of the body. It is believed that vitamin B complex is one of the most essential groups of vitamins that are important for maintaining the health of the nervous system, skin, eyes, brain, and gastrointestinal tract. Basically, vitamin B complex is required for the functioning of various body functions and if a child lack of vitamin B complex, the risk of suffering from an impaired body system.

Vitamin B complex is also important for the metabolism of carbohydrates, enhancing the immune system, and the growth of the cell. Lack of vitamin B can cause multiple problems to the human and it can impair the growth of the cells.

Good sources of vitamin B?

  • Red meat
  • Legumes
  • Nuts
  • Avocado

Vitamin D

Research has stated that a large number of population across the world is suffering from a lack of vitamin D, including children. Yes!! These days even children lack vitamin D and this can have a significant impact on the growth, development, and overall health.  Vitamin D is considered to be an important factor in the prevention and treatment of some skeletal and non-skeletal diseases.

Lack of vitamin D can have a direct impact on bone mineralization, as a result, it increases the risk of suffering from bone disorders. In children, a lack of vitamin D is strongly associated with the development of rickets. Rickets is one of the most common bone disorder in children. It is characterized by weak bones and people having vitamin D deficiency are more likely to suffer from fractures, following a small fall.

Good sources of vitamin D?

Primarily there are two ways to obtain vitamin D:

1. The easiest way to obtain most of the vitamin D is through sunlight. Direct exposure to sunlight for some minutes can help you obtain vitamin D in a good amount

2. Food items that are a good source of vitamin D include cheese, beef liver, soy milk, and egg-milk.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is also important in the normal growth and development of a child. Vitamin E is defined as an antioxidant that protects the membranes of the cell and all the other fat-soluble compounds by oxidative damage by free radicals. Studies have stated that these days people, including children, are more likely to have Vitamin E deficiency and this is because vitamin E is synthesized only by plants and hence, it is found primarily in plant products. Children are more likely to lack vitamin E in the body and as a result, an increased risk of having impaired body function. Oxidative stress can have a major impact on health.

Sources of vitamin E

  • Vegetable oil
  • Seeds
  • Nuts
  • Cereal grains   




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