Word: vitamin
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Infants may be the most at risk for deficiency. Earlier this year, researchers at Childrens Hospital in Boston found that 40% of 380 otherwise healthy babies and toddlers had "suboptimal" exposure to vitamin D. Even more worrisome was that breast-fed newborns were 10 times more likely to be deficient than those who were fed with baby formula, which is fortified with a large dose of vitamin D, according to the study. A large part of the problem is that mothers lack vitamin D themselves, and are therefore unable to pass enough of the nutrient to their babies...
...make up the deficit, doctors suggest a daily kids' multivitamin; most varieties on the market should have at least 400 IU of vitamin D. "Supplementation is important because most children will not get enough vitamin D through diet alone," says Dr. Frank Greer, a University of Wisconsin-Madison pediatrician and co-author of the new recommendations...
Pediatricians are quick to note, however, that breast is still best for infants. "As a pediatrician, I believe breast milk is the perfect food for infants and I applaud more and more mothers for considering it," say Dr. Catherine Gordon, a vitamin D researcher and author of the Childrens Hospital study. "Of concern, however, is the accompanying rise in cases of rickets" - a bone-softening disease usually attributable to malnutrition that can lead to fractures and bowed legs. To ensure that breast-fed babies get the vitamin D they need, she advises pregnant women to discuss with their obstetrician...
...unclear how much vitamin D kids really need. It depends on a host of factors: children with epilepsy, cystic fibrosis or celiac disease may need more than the 400 IUs the AAP is recommending; kids with darker skin or living at northern latitudes with less sun may also require more. That means, of course, parents should consult their own pediatrician about how much vitamin D to give, but says Gordon, "Vitamin D toxicity doesn't occur until at least 2,000 IU a day and maybe as high as 10,000, so they shouldn't be overly worried about giving...
...growing body of evidence suggests that vitamin D may be a kind of wonder nutrient, playing a critical role in the prevention of diabetes, multiple sclerosis and certain cancers. Indeed, the research also suggests that adults, too, should be mindful of how much vitamin D they are or aren't getting. Many experts recommend that 1,000 IU a day for adults isn't too much...