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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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