Nutritional Supplements for Children

Even when children eat a well-balanced diet, with fresh fruits and vegetables (2 to 5 servings of vegetables and 2 to 4 servings of fruit), they will oftentimes need extra nutritional support for their growing bodies, such as calcium for strong bones and teeth, and vitamin C for immune support. Ensuring your child is receiving the DRI (Dietary Reference Intake) of vitamins can protect your child against many health-related problems.

Vitamin A

• To make sure your child receives enough vitamin A, which is essential for good eyesight, development and immune function, consider giving your child a supplement that contains vitamin A. The DRI for children between the ages of 1 to 3 is 300mcg of vitamin A daily; for children ages 4 to 6, it's 400mcg; and for children ages 9 to 13, it's 600mcg.

Iron

• Consider giving your child an iron supplement. Iron-deficiency anemia affects children all over the world. In America, iron deficiency occurs in approximately 200,000 toddlers between the ages of 1 and 2 every year. Iron serves many functions in the human body, not just for the formation of blood, but also for energy metabolism, and growth and reproductive purposes. The DRI of iron for children 1 to 3 years of age is 7mg; for kids 4 to 8, it's 10mg; and for children 9 to 13, it's 8mg.

Calcium

• The mineral calcium is especially important for children, since as they grow their calcium requirements grow as well. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, the daily calcium requirements for children are, 1 to 3 years of age, 500mg; 4 to 8 years of age, 800mg; and 9 to 13 years of age, 1,300mg.

Magnesium

• For children who aren't eating enough leafy, green vegetables, unrefined grains, nuts or meats, consider having your child take a magnesium supplement. The mineral magnesium is required for developing bones and teeth, and for the muscles and nerves to function properly. The DRI for magnesium for children is: for ages 1 to 3, 80mg a day; ages 4 to 8, 130 mg; and ages 9 to 13, 240mg.

Vitamin C

• If you're child is a picky eater, or if he's not receiving the RDA of fruits and vegetables (2 to 5 servings of vegetables and 2 to 4 servings of fruit), he might not be getting enough vitamin C, which is necessary for proper brain function and the immune system. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the DRI of vitamin C for children is: ages 1 to 3, 15mg; ages 4 to 8, 25mg; and ages 9 to 13, 45mg.

B Vitamins

• If your child doesn't eat meat, fortified grains or enough vegetables, he may not be getting an adequate amount of the B vitamins. Consider giving your child a B-complex vitamin that contains the DRI of all the B vitamins, which are required for energy and growth, and are essential for the nervous system to function correctly. The daily DRI for the B vitamins is as follows: for B1 (thiamine), children from ages 1 to 3 need 0.5mg per day; from 4 to 8, 0.6mg; and from 9 to 13, 0.9mg. For B2 (also known as riboflavin), children from 1 to 3 need 0.5mg; from 4 to 8, 0.6mg; and from 9 to 13, 0.9mg. For niacin, children 1 to 3 need 6mg; from 4 to 8, 8mg; and from 9 to 13, 12mg. For biotin, children 1 to 3 need 8mcg; from 4 to 8, 12mcg; and from 9 to 13, 20mcg. For folic acid, children 1 to 3 need 150mcg; from 4 to 8, 300mcg; and from 9 to 13, 400mcg. For vitamin B6, children 1 to 3 need 0.5mg; from 4 to 8, 0.6mg; and from 9 to 13, 1.0mg. For vitamin B12, children from 1 to 3 need 0.9mcg; from 4 to 8, 1.2mcg; and from 9 to 13, 1.8mcg.

Suggestions and Cautions

• The above information is not meant as a substitute for professional medical care.

  Never take any more of a vitamin than is deemed safe, and read the label's directions thoroughly for proper dosage.

  Always talk with your child's doctor prior to starting any supplement regimen.

  Keep all vitamins out of the reach of children.