Kids' Nutrition: Vitamin D From Sun Exposure
I know that kids need vitamin D, but if they can get it by being exposed to the sun, what's wrong with just letting them play outside every day?
Vitamin D works with calcium to make healthy bones. The body can produce vitamin D when sunlight contacts the skin. However, too much sun exposure, although helpful from a vitamin D standpoint, can be harmful from a skin standpoint, causing problems from sunburns to skin cancer. Using sunscreen to reduce the damaging effects of the sun can also limit the amount of vitamin D produced from exposure to sunlight.
In my recommendation, there are some safer ways to make sure your child gets enough vitamin D:
- Offer dairy products such as milk (or infant formula for children under age 1) or yogurt that lists vitamin D on the label.
- Choose foods that contain vitamin D such as salmon, tuna fish and fortified breakfast cereals.
- Ask your pediatrician about using a multivitamin supplement.
Answered by
Dr. Jennifer Shu
report abuse
Submit!
