Children's vitamins: strengthening the child's immunity in winter and during the transition period

New Year holidays are coming to an end, the start of school and kindergarten classes is coming. This means that you need to get back into your work schedule: early rises, increased mental and physical activity. In addition, outside the window, winter is a time of shortage of sunlight, fruits and vegetables. In this article, YokoSun looks at what vitamins a child needs for the winter and transition period.

Important! Do not prescribe vitamins to your child yourself. To take vitamin-containing medications, you must consult a doctor. Uncontrolled intake of vitamins can be dangerous to health.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is the only vitamin that a child needs to take regularly. The pediatrician spoke about this especially for Telegram channel YokoSun, allergist-immunologist, consultant on breastfeeding and children's sleep Daria Egorshina. It's very simple: vitamin D plays an important function in the development of the baby, affecting primarily the growth of bones and the proper development of the nervous system. And its deficiency in the body leads to impaired absorption of calcium, phosphorus and other minerals.

Everyone knows that vitamin D is formed in the body under the influence of the sun. However, to obtain the “required dosage” several conditions must be met. For example, do not use sunscreen, stay in the sun for about 10-30 minutes, etc. It is quite difficult to comply with them, given that many regions of our country are considered to have little sunshine. This vitamin can also be obtained from food, however, there are some nuances here too. Products usually contain vitamin D in rather modest dosages, so you will have to eat too much of them. And this is beyond the power of even adults, let alone children.

To determine what dosage of the vitamin your child needs, you need to see a doctor and get tested for 25-OH - calciferol. For readings below 30, a therapeutic dose is recommended; for readings above 30, a prophylactic dose is recommended.

Important! Therapeutic doses are prescribed exclusively by a pediatrician.

Vitamin C

Most often, a lack of vitamin C is observed precisely in the winter. And, perhaps, many people know that this is fraught with a frequent incidence of ARVI. But ascorbic acid is involved in many processes, affecting both the immune system and the condition of the skin, nails and hair. It also works as an antioxidant, helping fight inflammation.

Vitamin C is found in large quantities in many berries and fruits, and unlike vitamin D, it is easier to get from food. For example, 100 grams of rose hips contain 1250 mg of vitamin C, sea buckthorn - up to 800 mg, currants - 177 mg. Some vegetables also contain high amounts of vitamin C, such as broccoli, red bell peppers and Brussels sprouts.

The daily requirement is individual, and for children varies from 30 to 90 mg. But taking a vitamin above the norm is useless and, in some cases, dangerous.

B vitamins

Vitamins of this group are involved in the energy supply of the body, which is especially important when mental and physical stress increases. They affect metabolism, nerve conduction, cognitive function and even muscle growth.

8 substances are called B vitamins. This is thiamine (B1); riboflavin (B2); niacin (B3); pantothenic acid (B5); adermin (B6); biotin (B7); folic acid (B9); and cyanocobalamin (B12).

A lack of vitamins in this group may be indicated by anemia, increased fatigue and decreased performance. However, symptoms vary greatly depending on which vitamin group is lacking. Therefore, conclusions about a lack of B vitamins are made based on the results of the tests.

Normally, they are obtained from food. To do this, the child's diet should be varied and include foods such as green vegetables, fish, whole grains, meat and eggs.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is known to many primarily as improving vision. Indeed, it is involved in the formation of visual pigments. However, in addition to this, it influences the synthesis of sex hormones, strengthens bones along with vitamin D, maintains healthy skin and protects the body from toxins.

Its deficiency in children of different age groups can manifest itself as dry skin, the appearance of stars in the corners of the lips, as well as signs of atopic dermatitis, stomatitis and conjunctivitis. A child can receive a sufficient amount of the vitamin from food. For example, from carrots, spinach, dairy products and liver. Only a doctor can determine the lack of vitamin content in the body.

Experts believe that hypovitaminosis (when the body contains more vitamins than normal) is much more dangerous than vitamin deficiency. That is why prescribing medications to your child on your own can be dangerous for his health. It’s much better to take care of the quality of the baby’s diet.

If you notice signs of vitamin deficiency in your child, consult a doctor who will prescribe special tests and appropriate treatment. For example, taking complex medications that contain vitamins of different groups in the required quantities. Remember that when choosing products, it is better to give preference to vitamins rather than dietary supplements. The latter undergo an insufficient number of clinical studies.

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