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In this day and age a proper diet is a must. The fact is the combination of a fast paced lifestyle, a fast food based society, and a lack of effort on the parents part contribute enormously to the need for vitamin supplements in children. Add that in conjunction to the impure properties absorbed by plants and animals which in turn are ingested by us not even mentioning the devastation grease soaked fast food has on a child's developing vital organs like the liver. It becomes a game of catch up.

Here are just a few of the vitamins vital to the survival of a young developing child's mind and body.
-Vitamin A: Vitamin A promotes healthy surface linings of the eyes and the respiratory, urinary, and intestinal tracts. When those linings break down, it becomes easier for bacteria to enter the body and cause infection. Vitamin A also helps the skin and mucous membranes function as a barrier to bacteria and viruses. milk, margarine, eggs, beef liver, fortified breakfast cereals, carrots, cantaloupes, sweet potatoes, and spinach contain a good source of vitamin A and must be eaten every day.
-Vitamin B: Each B vitamin has its own role to play in preserving mental acuity. Folic acid, for example, is critical to brain development before birth, and also works with vitamin B-6 and vitamin B-12 to prevent memory loss or Alzheimer's later in life. B-12 is mainly found in meats and fish while B-6 is found in bell peppers, cranberries, cauliflower, mustard greens, turnip greens, kale, garlic, and tuna. You have to eat these items every day to maintain an acceptable level.
-Vitamin C: Low intakes of Vitamin C over time can produce bleeding gums, loose teeth, frequent infections, anemia and other problems. An intake of as little as 10 mg/day can prevent these symptoms. Vitamin C is an antioxidant which protects our cells against damage, helps our wounds to heal, and helps fight off infections. It also promotes healthy bones, teeth, gums, blood vessels, and aids in the absorption of iron. Too much vitamin c can cause nausea, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and kidney stones. Fruits and vegetables are high in Vitamin C. The highest are red and green peppers, oranges, cantaloupe, broccoli, baked potato, and cabbage.
-Vitamin D: It is a fact that a person would have to drink ten tall glasses of vitamin D fortified milk each day just to get minimum levels of vitamin D into their diet. Exposure to sunlight is an important source of vitamin D. Ultraviolet rays from sunlight trigger vitamin D synthesis in the skin which prevents rickets in children. The major function of vitamin D is to maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus.
The fact is children do not get the vitamins their body needs from the foods available to them largely in part due to convenience and cost. In most cases a vitamin supplement is the only way to counter this. For a child to maintain proper vitamin levels and to prevent obesity it is absolutely necessary even though you may not like the fact, that a supplement is necessary. It gives our children the tools they need to be healthy until they can do it on they're own.

Learn more about this author, Dan Callahan.
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