All vitamins are essential for our health. Vitamin D is one of the essential vitamins needed by both adults and children. It is known as the “sunshine vitamin”, which means we can get it from sunlight. Vitamin D itself comes in two forms: vitamin D2 and vitamin D3.
Now, let’s focus on vitamin D3. It is found in animal-produced food items. Consuming vitamin D3 is able to increase the vitamin D level in the blood and impacts over 2000 genes in the body. For kids, vitamin D3 is one of the most essential nutrients as it helps in growth and development.
Let’s continue reading these 6 important reasons why children need vitamin D3.
1. Strengthen bones
You might know calcium as the one in charge of building strong bones. However, there’s vitamin D, specifically vitamin D3. Besides calcium and phosphorus, vitamin D is also essential for building strong bones, teeth and skeletal system. However, the absorption of calcium and phosphorus cannot be done without the presence of vitamin D3.
Vitamin D3 deficiency may lead to some serious problems, such as rickets. It is a condition where bones become weak and the legs become bowed.
Make sure to give enough supply of calcium to your kids too by letting them drinking milk. You can consider reading these benefits of consuming pure cow’s milk. Pure cow’s milk is believed to have better benefits than the processed ones.
2. Boost immune system
Immune system can be boosted by several ways, one of which is by consuming citrus fruits. Read more about it in health benefits of citrus fruits for immune system.
However, kids tend to hate sour food, so you’d better to find other alternative to boost their immune system. You can give them vitamin D3. Vitamin D works as a hormone in the body which regulates the function of cells, helps in building immunity and resists several diseases.
There are some studies which showed that vitamin D gives protection against influenza and respiratory viruses.
3. Prevent some critical diseases
There is some research that support that vitamin D plays an important role in preventing some critical diseases, such as heart diseases, cancer and prostate tumors.
Even though there’s not enough evidence to support this case, some children with low vitamin D level in their bodies are exposed to critical diseases.
4. Maintain healthy weight
Do you know that unhealthy weight gain is related to vitamin D deficiency? There are many cases of obesity in children in India which are caused by vitamin D deficiency. An acute vitamin D deficiency will lead to the risks of getting metabolic disease.
Healthy weight is important for kids especially when they are still growing. You can consider asking your kids to consume soya beans too. Read more about it in health benefits of soya beans for kids.
5. Better mood
If your kids are moody, then make sure they get sufficient amount of vitamin D3. It has significant effect on mood. Kids who spend most of their time outdoor under the sun are less cranky and happier compared to those who most of the time spend much time indoors. Furthermore, vitamin D also plays an important role in treating depression in children.
If you’re dealing with children’s mood, you can ask your kids to swim. You can get these health benefits of swimming for kids, it’s not only good for your kids’ physical health, but also for your mental health.
What are side effects of vitamin D3?
Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin which helps your body absorb calcium and phosphorus. When your kids have the right amount of vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus, your kids will have strong and well-developed bones.
Besides, vitamin D is also beneficial for treating and preventing some bone disorders, such as rickets. On the other words, your kids need vitamin D so that the absorption of the calcium and phosphorus will be effective. Make sure that your kids get these three nutrients.
However, too much vitamin D can cause harmful calcium levels. If you experience these following signs, such as nausea or vomiting, constipation, loss of appetite, unusual tiredness, mental or mood changes and increased urination, then you might experience too much vitamin D.
Contact and consult with your doctor about the right amount of vitamin D for your kids.
If you want to find out more about what to feed to your kids, you can read these health benefits of vitamin B for kids and health benefits of vitamin C for children.