The Advantages Of Taking Vitamins During Puberty

Puberty is a time of tremendous growth and change for young men and women. While it's true that nutrient needs change over time, there's little evidence to suggest that taking vitamins during puberty ensures advantages in those who eat a normal, healthy diet. Because there are some nutrients, however, that your youngster might not get enough of through his or her diet, taking vitamins can help prevent deficiencies. In addition, in youth with clinical health problems -- or those who follow restrictive diets -- taking vitamins as advised by your health care provider may help. But don't count on pubescent vitamin-taking to prevent acne breakouts or to perform some of other health miracles reported in Internet mythology.

Vitamin Supplementation in Youth

About 34 percent of children and teens in the United States take some kind of vitamin supplement, according to research published in the February 2009 edition of "Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine." Oddly enough, many of the children who take supplements eat healthy diets, have food security and access to medical care and lead active lifestyles --- the very reasons they "don't" need the supplements. The authors of this study note that the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend supplemental vitamin use in healthy children who eat a varied diet -- only in those with chronic diseases, eating disorders, problems with nutrient absorption, as well as in obese children in a medically supervised weight loss program. Supplementation might also be warranted for children who don't get enough vitamin D through sunlight exposure and those who have food allergies. Always ensure your child uses supplements under the guidance of your doctor, as taking too much of certain vitamins can be toxic. In addition, vitamins can also negatively interact with certain medications.

nsurance Policy

With the arrival of sex hormones, your youngster entering puberty will undergo major body changes, and you can support this transformation with good nutrition. Socially, your daughter may have a bit more autonomy in selecting, preparing and buying food. If she's like most youths her age, the nutritional content of some of her meals will take a serious nosedive. In that case, taking vitamins can take up where diet falls short. That's exactly when many health authorities say taking vitamins is an advantage. For example, Michael Roizen of the Cleveland Clinic says a multivitamin is like "an insurance policy against an imperfect diet." Likewise, authorities with the Nemours Foundation, who manage the TeensHealth website, say that if your children's diet includes a "variety of foods, including whole-grain products, fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, nuts, seeds, eggs, and meats," then they are probably getting the vitamins and minerals their bodies need. However, if they frequently skip meals, diet or otherwise are missing out on foods from certain categories by following a vegan diet, for example, your doctor can suggest ways, including supplementation, to make up the difference.

Correct Common Vitamin Intake Problems

The World Health Organization, or WHO, reports upon entering adolescence, young people's higher energy demands necessitate more thiamine, riboflavin and niacin --- all B vitamins. Their sexual maturity requires more vitamin B-12, and all girls entering childbearing years should begin getting more folic acid. New cell growth in youth can be supported by vitamins A, C, and E. It should be noted, however, that the recommendation is to ensure your children get the recommended amounts -- not more. In addition, the only time the organization suggests supplementing outside of diet is with regard to folic acid intake in girls to lower the risk of birth defects. However, research from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health suggests that about 30 percent of youth get inadequate vitamin A. Forty percent get less than the recommended amounts of vitamin E, and 12 to 48 percent of girls fall with the low to deficient range for folic acid. Supplementation can help correct these problems.

Exceptional Cases

A 2004 study published in the June 2004 issue of "Clinical Endocrinology" reported that a deficiency in vitamin A can delay puberty in some boys -- a condition treated with testosterone. However, the Israeli medical researchers found that supplementation with vitamin A and iron helped induce puberty within 12 months without hormone therapy. Moreover, authorities with the WHO say that entering adolescence is often a second chance to "catch up" growth when environmental conditions, such as famine, stymied it. Improving nutrition, such as through supplementation, may be favorable in cases of food insecurity.