Vitamins are an essential part of maintaining a healthy body for children. Herbs are holistic plants that contain some of the essential vitamins and provide natural cures and prevention from disease. These two items are used by parents to keep children healthy and strong. They also help boost children's immune system to protect them from bacteria and viruses. Parents are advised to give vitamins and herbs to children only under the supervision of a doctor.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an essential part of human health, especially in children's growth and development. Vitamin C is an anti-oxidant, which means it binds and deactivates free radicals in the body that can harm DNA. Vitamin C is also an essential nutrient that boosts the immune system, protecting a child from bacteria and viruses.
Deficiencies in Vitamin C can lead to a condition called scurvy. Vitamin C plays a role in the development and health of collagen, so deficiency in the nutrient can lead to the breakdown of this tissue. Scurvy symptoms are spots on the skin and excessive bleeding and swelling in the gums.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a fat soluble nutrient that is activated by sunlight. Vitamin D supplements are available, but the child's body also produces the vitamin from sunlight. It normally circulates the body in inactive forms until UV rays convert it into an active form. Vitamin D is essential for healthy, growing bones in the child's body. Without it, the child can have deformities in the skeletal structure.
Rickets is a disease developed by children with a lack of vitamin D. Rickets causes poor growth and abnormal bone development in long bones such as the legs. Rickets can also form from poor sunlight exposure, since sunlight is essential for the active form of the nutrient.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin essential for sight. Vitamin A also plays a role in immunity, strong bones and cell division, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). When the body absorbs vitamin A, it uses it as a lining around the organ tissue such as the respiratory tract, eyes and intestinal tract. This provides a barrier against bacteria to prevent infection. When the retina of the eyes uses vitamin A, it is not recycled, so vitamin A diminishes in the body. Kids should have vitamin A in the diet to replenish it. Carrots and sweet potatoes are packed with vitamin A, while eggs and milk also provide small amounts of the essential vitamin.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is essential for neurological development, red blood cell growth and production of DNA. For this reason, vitamin B12 is important for kids during development and growth. Vitamin B12 deficiencies can lead to anemia, which is a condition where the body does not have enough red blood cells. A vitamin B12 deficiency can be particularly dangerous for small children, whose brains are still developing. Fish has a good source of vitamin B12, which is also found in beef, and in small quantities in eggs and milk. Some breakfast cereals are fortified with significant amounts of vitamin B12, too, making them good sources of the nutrient.
Member Comments