Over the years, there has been much controversy over whether or not children should take vitamins. It is the opinion of some that the necessary vitamins can be taken in through a proper diet that has a good nutritional balance. Unfortunately, this is not always the case in today's busy world. Vitamins that are found naturally in many foods have been depleted of much of their nutritional value by being processed, frozen, and cooked. Vitamins are important for the health of all people, but especially important for growing children.
Are There Possible Dangers?
There are very few dangers to giving children vitamins. The biggest dangers actually come from mismanagement of vitamins. While quite healthy for the body in the proper amounts, it is never good to exceed the recommended dosage of vitamins, especially in children. With the variety of candy colored, cartoon character shaped chewable vitamins available for kids, it's important that the bottle containing them is stored well out of the reach of children. Often, children will think that their daily multi-vitamin is candy, and will want to take more than one, especially if they can sneak a few out of the bottle without Mom knowing!. An overdose of vitamins can cause a vast variety of health problems and other symptoms as well as long term damage to vital organs.
Overdoses of most vitamins are almost unheard of, and are avoidable simply by following the instructions on the bottle. It is never a good idea to increase the dose of vitamins you are taking past the recommended limit unless you are instructed to do so by your doctor for some medically necessary reason. More often than not, the opposite will be true, where children risk growing up without the full dose of essential vitamins.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
MYTHS about Vitamin D
MYTHS about Vitamin D #1
One very interesting myth about Vitamin D is contained in its moniker! You see, Vitamin D is not actually a vitamin. While it is quite essential to the body, and for this reason is referred to as one, Vitamin D is actually a hormone!
MYTHS about Vitamin D #2
As it is commonly known, Vitamin D is made in the body by sun exposure. This is a true fact, however it is a myth to believe that a sufficient amount of vitamin D can be gained in the body simply by normal day-to-day exposure to the sun. Unless someone spends large amounts of time outdoors, most people do not get enough sunshine in their everyday lives to produce the required amount of vitamin D. Purposely sunning to try and avoid Vitamin D deficiency is definitely not a good idea! In order for your skin to absorb the sun's rays, you would have to go out in the sun unprotected by sunscreen. Instead of preventing a deficiency, this could very likely cause skin cancer.
MYTHS about Vitamin D #3
The next myth is that the proper level of Vitamin D can be sufficiently gained through diet. This is incorrect, as the body naturally produces Vitamin D-3. Food sold in supermarkets generally contains Vitamin D-2 when the label states that the product has Vitamin D. In fact, in addition to this statement, recent studies show that the amount of Vitamin D listed on the labels of most foods is completely inaccurate more than half of the time!
MYTHS about Vitamin D #4
Another myth regarding Vitamin D is that it should be avoided by pregnant and breastfeeding women. Regardless of whether or not you are pregnant, it is encouraged that all individuals receive 400 IU of Vitamin D on a daily basis. Babies should receive 210 IU of Vitamin D each day. Since Vitamin D crosses over into the breast milk, it is better to make sure the mother receives 4,000 IU of vitamin D instead of supplementing the child's diet.
One very interesting myth about Vitamin D is contained in its moniker! You see, Vitamin D is not actually a vitamin. While it is quite essential to the body, and for this reason is referred to as one, Vitamin D is actually a hormone!
MYTHS about Vitamin D #2
As it is commonly known, Vitamin D is made in the body by sun exposure. This is a true fact, however it is a myth to believe that a sufficient amount of vitamin D can be gained in the body simply by normal day-to-day exposure to the sun. Unless someone spends large amounts of time outdoors, most people do not get enough sunshine in their everyday lives to produce the required amount of vitamin D. Purposely sunning to try and avoid Vitamin D deficiency is definitely not a good idea! In order for your skin to absorb the sun's rays, you would have to go out in the sun unprotected by sunscreen. Instead of preventing a deficiency, this could very likely cause skin cancer.
MYTHS about Vitamin D #3
The next myth is that the proper level of Vitamin D can be sufficiently gained through diet. This is incorrect, as the body naturally produces Vitamin D-3. Food sold in supermarkets generally contains Vitamin D-2 when the label states that the product has Vitamin D. In fact, in addition to this statement, recent studies show that the amount of Vitamin D listed on the labels of most foods is completely inaccurate more than half of the time!
MYTHS about Vitamin D #4
Another myth regarding Vitamin D is that it should be avoided by pregnant and breastfeeding women. Regardless of whether or not you are pregnant, it is encouraged that all individuals receive 400 IU of Vitamin D on a daily basis. Babies should receive 210 IU of Vitamin D each day. Since Vitamin D crosses over into the breast milk, it is better to make sure the mother receives 4,000 IU of vitamin D instead of supplementing the child's diet.
MYTHS About Vitamin C
While Vitamin C is quite good for you, and does help to build the immune system, taking a huge dose of vitamin C will not keep a cold away! Scientists have cured many illnesses, as you know. However, as the old saying goes, there is no cure for the common cold! Vitamin C is no miracle cure for any illness, sadly. There have never been any scientific studies done that would prove otherwise.
MYTHS about Vitamin B
MYTHS about Vitamin B #1
A common rumor is that the B complex vitamins, including Folic acid will reduce the risk of heart disease in women who are prone to heart problems. This theory has been tested, and is proven to be false. Studies show that women who took B complex vitamins and Folic acid were no less likely to have heart problems than women who did not consume these supplements.
MYTHS about Vitamin B #2
Some say that Vitamin B-1, which is also called thiamine, helps with the growth of hair at the roots. You will even hear that the hair will not grow properly without this vitamin. Some rumors are even passed around that claim Vitamin B-1 assists with the root development of plants as well. This is certainly not the case, as there are no scientific studies to back up such claims. Another version of this rumor is that taking Vitamin B-1 helps to reduce transplant shock for either people who are receiving new organs, or plants that are being moved. Again, this is not at all the case.
MYTHS about Vitamin B #3
Have you been told that Vitamin B-6 is safe for you to consume, even if it is taken above the recommended limit? This is supposedly true, because it is a water-soluble vitamin. However, the myth is also quite false, as excessive B-6 in the human body can lead to neuropathy pain, skin lesions, vomiting, and even more health problems. Vitamin B-6, like any other vitamin, is best taken within the recommended dosages. Another rumor about vitamin B-6 is that it is an effective treatment for PMS. While double-blind studies were done that initially proved this to be the case, further analysis of those studies have proven them to be inaccurate.
MYTHS about Vitamin B #4
Vitamin B-12 is received by most individuals through the ingestion of meat. Vegans and vegetarians, however do not get this vitamin from eating meat, for obvious reasons! This fact lends credence to the myth that people need B-12 every day in high dosages. In truth, B-12 is needed in exceptionally small amounts, only about 2 micrograms a day, as the body can store up years worth of B-12 for future use. For this reason, going without this vitamin is not usually problematic as long as it is ingested occasionally in one form or another.
A common rumor is that the B complex vitamins, including Folic acid will reduce the risk of heart disease in women who are prone to heart problems. This theory has been tested, and is proven to be false. Studies show that women who took B complex vitamins and Folic acid were no less likely to have heart problems than women who did not consume these supplements.
MYTHS about Vitamin B #2
Some say that Vitamin B-1, which is also called thiamine, helps with the growth of hair at the roots. You will even hear that the hair will not grow properly without this vitamin. Some rumors are even passed around that claim Vitamin B-1 assists with the root development of plants as well. This is certainly not the case, as there are no scientific studies to back up such claims. Another version of this rumor is that taking Vitamin B-1 helps to reduce transplant shock for either people who are receiving new organs, or plants that are being moved. Again, this is not at all the case.
MYTHS about Vitamin B #3
Have you been told that Vitamin B-6 is safe for you to consume, even if it is taken above the recommended limit? This is supposedly true, because it is a water-soluble vitamin. However, the myth is also quite false, as excessive B-6 in the human body can lead to neuropathy pain, skin lesions, vomiting, and even more health problems. Vitamin B-6, like any other vitamin, is best taken within the recommended dosages. Another rumor about vitamin B-6 is that it is an effective treatment for PMS. While double-blind studies were done that initially proved this to be the case, further analysis of those studies have proven them to be inaccurate.
MYTHS about Vitamin B #4
Vitamin B-12 is received by most individuals through the ingestion of meat. Vegans and vegetarians, however do not get this vitamin from eating meat, for obvious reasons! This fact lends credence to the myth that people need B-12 every day in high dosages. In truth, B-12 is needed in exceptionally small amounts, only about 2 micrograms a day, as the body can store up years worth of B-12 for future use. For this reason, going without this vitamin is not usually problematic as long as it is ingested occasionally in one form or another.
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