How to supplement vitamin D for children?

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for the development of children. If it is lacking, it is likely to cause various physical illnesses in children. Therefore, it is best to actively supplement children with vitamin D, which will help their physical development. However, there are still many parents who do not know how to supplement their children, so I will give you a detailed introduction now.

Vitamin D deficiency can cause rickets, so parents should pay attention to providing their children with sufficient vitamin D in a timely manner. There are two sources of vitamin D. Natural vitamin D comes from animals and plants. For example, the liver of marine fish contains more D3. After it is extracted, it is made into cod liver oil, which is used to prevent rickets. Caviar, egg yolks and milk also contain small amounts of D3. Ergosterol in plants (fresh vegetables) turns into ergocalciferol, also known as vitamin D2, after being irradiated by ultraviolet rays. In addition, mushrooms, yeast, and dried vegetables also contain D.

All of the above are collectively called exogenous vitamin D, which is absorbed into the body through the digestive tract.

Another source of vitamin D is synthesized in the body, called endogenous vitamin D, which is converted from 7-dehydrocholesterol in the subcutaneous tissue of human and animal skin into cholecalciferol, i.e. endogenous vitamin D, after direct exposure to ultraviolet rays in sunlight. 3 This is the main source of vitamin D for humans.

The general diet of infants contains very little vitamin D, about 40 international units per liter of milk. The content of vitamin D in cereals, vegetables and fruits is also very small. The average content of egg yolk is about 250 international units per 100 grams, while the daily requirement of children is 400 international units. Therefore, in addition to getting vitamin D from food, children should also insist on outdoor activities and get more exposure to sunlight. Do not stay indoors for a long time, and do not sunbathe through glass windows, because glass can block the ultraviolet rays in the sun and make them ineffective. At the same time, it is also necessary to supplement with medication, such as cod liver oil, vitamin D preparations, etc.

In fact, there are many ways to supplement vitamin D. The above introduction is only a part of them. Therefore, parents and friends can choose a treatment method that is more suitable for them to supplement. At the same time, it is best to take your children to exercise more, which will help the absorption of vitamin D.