The American Academy of Pediatrics has recently recommended that children should be given more vitamin D, double the dosage indicated until now. Pediatricians recommended the higher dosage of the vitamin because they believe that vitamin D could prevent other diseases from appearing and that, overall, it can provide lifelong benefits. Another reason doctors are upping the dosage of vitamin D to 400 international units is because they want to prevent rickets, a disease that can deform the bones or that can cause growth problems. Babies are also at risk as their mothers’ milk doesn’t provide the necessary amount of vitamin D the infant needs.

Vitamin D is usually collected by our body through sun rays and through our diet. Milk is one product extremely rich in vitamin D, but children are known not to drink enough of it. Oily fish tuna, mackerel, sardines and even cereal are known to contain a rich amount of vitamin D. Doctors are recommending vitamin D supplements which can be found in the form of drops, capsules or tablets. Some recent research link the lack of vitamin D in adults with chronic disease and though there is no concrete proof that vitamin D could be used as a cure or could actually prevent these diseases from appearing, doctors say that upping the dosage couldn’t do any harm.

All in all it all resumes to how healthy your lifestyle is. You should always be sure that your children are eating proper meals, rich in vitamins and that they regularly engage in some sort of sport. Don’t forget their vitamin D supplement and you’re sure they can get off to a healthy start.