Vitamin D is one of the most important nutrients for the growth and development of your children. It is a fat-soluble vitamin that includes vitamins D2 and D3. 

Vitamin D offers several benefits to your children:

• Aids in the absorption and retention of calcium and phosphorous
• Regulates bone and muscle growth
• Boosts immunity
• Prevents rickets, a condition where bones become soft and weak
• Controls infections
• Reduces inflammation

Recommended Daily Requirement (RDA) of Vitamin D 

The Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) recommends 400 IU* dosage for children up to one year of age and 600 IU dosage from 1-18 years of age.

*IU: International Units

The deficiency of Vitamin D can cause bone and muscle weakness, delayed motor development rickets, fractures, aches and pains, muscle cramps, bow legs and knock knees in children. Children who keep their skin mostly covered, spend more time indoors or do not consume adequate levels of Vitamin D, through their diets are more vulnerable to these deficiencies.

Sources of Vitamin D

Sun is the best and most natural source of Vitamin D. Exposure to the sun helps your body to produce Vitamin D. Make sure that your children spend 10-20 minutes in the midday sunlight for better absorption of Vitamin D.

Your children can also consume Vitamin D-rich foods such as:

• Tuna fish
• Salmon fish
• Mackerel fish
• Fish liver oil
• Egg yolk
• Mushrooms
• Spinach
• Oranges
• Fortified foods such as low-fat dairy products, soy milk, tofu, cereals, orange juice and some fatty spreads

Do Your Children Need Vitamin D Supplements?

Your children do need to take Vitamin D supplements in the following scenarios:

• They are picky eaters
• Their diet lacks Vitamin-D rich foods
• They don’t get enough exposure to the sun
• They have low immunity
• They are recovering from an illness

These days, healthy gummy vitamins for Vitamin D are becoming more popular than traditional pill supplements for children. These gummies are easily chewable and look very attractive with their eye-pleasing colours and delicious flavours. 

You can consider buying Vitamin D3 + calcium gummies from a reputed and well-known brand such as Fundoze. Made from 100% natural ingredients, Fundoze gummies are sugar-free, allergen-free and yeast-free. They also do not contain any artificial flavours or colours. Fundoze also offers Omega + DHA gummies which along with Vitamin D can be instrumental in filling the nutritional gap in your children’s diet. 

A doctor would be the right person to advise you if your children need Vitamin D supplements and if they do, then in what dosage. Your children may need to get tested for Vitamin D levels in their bodies before the doctor can possibly prescribe any supplements.