As the vitamin industry grows and its marketing campaigns emerge, many parents are left feeling unsure about what they should do about vitamins, questioning whether their child should be supplemented or not.

In this series, you will learn about the role vitamins play in the growth and development of your child, the desirable food sources for each vitamin, the pros and cons of too much or too little consumption, and the use of supplements.

Do Kids Need Vitamins?

Vitamins are essential for the proper growth and development of all children, and most children have no problem meeting their nutrient needs when they eat a diet that represents all food groups.  

Vitamins don’t provide your child with energy (they are calorie-free), but they do help many body systems and processes function in a normal way.

Classes of Vitamins

There are two different classes of vitamins: Fat-soluble vitamins (A,D,E,K) and water-soluble vitamins (B-complex and C).  

Fat-Soluble Vitamins

Fat-soluble vitamins require fat in the diet to be absorbed, and are also stored in the body’s fat tissue for later use.  

When over-consumption occurs, toxicity can result.