The skeletal system comprises 206 bones, according to the National Academy of Sports Medicine. While the skeleton is durable, a child falling, playing sports, twisting an ankle or wrist, or ending up in a car accident can lead to broken bones. While medical attention is necessary to help promote proper healing of a bone fracture, vitamins can help to promote healing of a bone fracture in a child.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin found in citrus fruits, including oranges, strawberries, peppers and green vegetables.Vitamin C helps to strengthen your bones and their surrounding connective tissues. As a result, Vitamin C can help to play a role in the healing of your child's bone fracture as well as any wounds your child may have developed, including a surgical scar to fix a broken bone.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps your child's body to absorb calcium. The proper absorption of calcium is important in helping your child to develop and maintain strong healthy bones. If your child's body does not use calcium properly, your child's body will take calcium from the bones to use in other parts of the body. As a result, your child will be left with weaker bones and may be at risk for developing osteoporosis later on in life, according to "The Vitamin Book." Vitamin D can be obtained through sun exposure -- as little as 10 minutes per day. Vitamin D is also found in some foods, including meat, milk, fish, oysters, cereals and other fortified products.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin found in many green, leafy vegetables -- including cauliflower and cabbage. Vitamin K can also be found in soybeans and cereal. Vitamin K is also known as menadione. Menadione is important in helping the blood to clot -- this is important especially if your child has sustained an opened fracture or is recovering from surgery to repair a broken bone. According to "The Vitamin Book," Vitamin K is also important in the development of strong, healthy bones and in preventing osteoporosis later in life.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is found in whole grains, green leafy vegetables, vegetable oils, nuts, seeds and egg yolks. This vitamin is also important in a child's recovery from a broken bone. Vitamin E helps to protect your child's body -- especially cells and tissue -- from damage. As a result, your child will be better able to recover from a bone fracture. Vitamin E can also help to reduce inflammation in the surrounding tissues caused by your child's injury.
References
- KidsHealth.org; Vitamins; Mary L. Gavin MD; January 2011
- "The Vitamin Book"; Harold Silverman, Joseph Romano and Gary Elmer; 1999
- "National Academy of Sports Medicine: Essentials of Personal Fitness Training"; Scott Luccett; 2008
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