Children grow and develop at a breakneck pace—and many parents see this firsthand every day: Just a short while ago, the child was still taking its first tentative, wobbly steps, and before you know it, it’s darting across the living room like a marathon runner, curiously exploring every corner.
Of course, to generate this energy, your child’s body needs plenty of nutrients—such as vitamins. These not only provide the energy your child needs to run around and play, but they also play a crucial role in every child’s physical and mental development.
From multivitamins for children to vitamin C for toddlers—in this article, you’ll learn which vitamins are especially important for children. We’ll also explain how to recognize a vitamin deficiency in children. Learn what to look for to ensure your child gets all the micronutrients they need.
Why Vitamins Are Especially Important for Children
Whether you're a child or an adult—it's important for all of us to get enough vitamins. But for children, getting the right amount of vitamins is especially important. That's because this early stage determines what traits and abilities a child will be able to develop.
And this is where vitamins come into play. They act like little helpers that are needed to keep nearly all bodily functions running smoothly. So they’re especially important for children, because they’re essential for the development of these bodily functions in the first place.
For example, vitamins play an important role in the following areas, among others:
- Building a Strong Immune System
- healthy development of the nervous system and brain function
- the formation and function of enzymes and hormones
- the growth and development of bones, muscles, and organs
- promoting healthy skin, hair, and nails
An Overview of the Most Important Vitamins for Children
This naturally raises the question: Which vitamins are particularly important for children? Here is an overview of the most important vitamins for children:
- Vitamin D3 plays a crucial role in healthy bone growth, normal immune system function, and cell division. Most of a child’s daily vitamin D requirement is obtained through the skin via sunlight—provided that sunscreen is not used.
- Vitamin B12 is essential for healthy brain development and cognitive function.
- Vitamin C plays an important role in the development of the immune system.
- Vitamin A contributes to the healthy development of vision, the mucous membranes, and the nervous system.
- Vitamin B (vitamins B3 and B6) contributes to healthy energy production and the development of the brain, the immune system, and blood formation. In addition, folic acid (vitamin B9) plays a crucial role in healthy cell development and DNA synthesis.
Vitamin Deficiency in Children: Causes and Early Signs
In fact, vitamin and other essential nutrient deficiencies are not uncommon among children. This is because young children, in particular, need especially high amounts of certain vitamins and minerals. On top of that, most foods today no longer contain the same amount of vitamins as they did 30 years ago.
This is primarily due to nutrient-poor soils, monocultures, accelerated growth, harvesting unripe vegetables and fruits, long-term storage, and genetic modification. The few vitamins that remain are often destroyed during cooking by heating or processing. As a result, children may develop deficiency symptoms.
A 2018 study showed that overweight children, in particular, often have deficiencies in certain micronutrients. However, children with intestinal disorders or untreated celiac disease are also at higher risk for vitamin deficiencies.
These signs may indicate a vitamin deficiency in children:
- Fatigue, lack of energy, weakness
- increased susceptibility to infection
- Growth and Development Disorders
- Muscle and joint pain
- Hair Loss
Dietary Supplements for Children: Do They Make Sense?
Ideally, a child’s body gets all the necessary vitamins from a balanced diet. But sometimes that’s not so easy. Not only do most foods no longer contain enough vitamins, but many children simply prefer candy, fast food, and other unhealthy snacks. This makes it a challenge for many parents to encourage their children to eat a healthy diet.
So if you want to make sure your child is getting all the nutrients they need, we recommend the following products:
- Pro Dialvit kids is a multivitamin supplement containing over 40 essential vitamins, phytonutrients, and antioxidants. It is specifically tailored to the needs of children (ages 7–12).
- Pro Vitamin D3 Öl 100 kids contains natural vitamin D3 to support children’s immune systems—specially formulated to meet the lower needs of children and infants. Combined with its cofactors, vitamins A and K2, it can work optimally in children’s bodies.
Increasing Vitamin Intake in Children: Practical Tips for Everyday Life
To wrap things up, here are a few tips that can help you make healthy eating appealing to your child:
- Be patient: Kids often take longer to get used to new foods. So don't let it get to you, and keep serving those "rejected" foods more often.
- Be a role model: Children don't do what you tell them to do; they do what you show them. So set the best example yourself and eat a healthy diet.
- Involve your child: Let your child help decide which foods they want to eat while you're still at the grocery store.
- Cook with your child: If your child has helped prepare a meal, they'll be more willing to try it.
- “Sneak” vitamins into your food: For example, add pureed vegetables or nuts to pasta sauce, or a grated apple to your cereal.
- Present the food in an appealing way: Colorful and creatively arranged meals spark children's curiosity and make mealtime a joy.
Conclusion: Vitamins and Dietary Supplements for Children
A balanced intake of vitamins is crucial for children—because the early years of a child’s life are particularly important for healthy development. And without the necessary nutrients, this development cannot proceed as it normally would.
That is why it is all the more important for responsible parents to ensure that their children have a balanced, varied, and healthy diet and, if necessary, to supplement it with specific nutritional supplements. This is the only way to provide them with all the necessary nutrients.
If you're unsure whether your child has a nutrient deficiency, consult a doctor or naturopath you trust. Just as with adults, they can check your child's blood test results and determine whether there is a possible nutrient deficiency.
Sources
- Zaragoza-Jordana, M. et al. 2018. Adequacy of micronutrient intake in children from birth to 8 years of age. Data from the Childhood Obesity Project.
- Robert Koch Institute:Frequently Asked Questions About Vitamin D, accessed April 16, 2024
