Vitamin D in Winter: Why It’s Important for Your Child
Winter means short days and long nights. This implies that your child will not go out often and will be deprived of certain nutrients available naturally. Vitamin D is one such nutrient that is essential for your child and helps in bone development, immune function, and other important functions in your body. In winter the sunlight is reduced, and children have to spend most of their time indoors; this is why getting vitamin D becomes quite difficult.
Some of the reasons why vitamin D is important are listed below:
1. Strengthens Immune System
Vitamin D is very important to fight off infections and reduces the risk of illnesses. During winter months, children catch coughs, colds, flus, fevers, etc., very often because of the cold weather and more time spent indoors. When there are enough vitamin D levels in the body, it promotes the production of antibodies that fight harmful viruses and bacteria. So, make sure that your children take up enough vitamin D, even in winters.
2. Strong Bones and Teeth
One of the most essential benefits of vitamin D is that it helps absorb calcium, which is an important mineral in building bones and teeth. If enough vitamin D is not provided to children, they become prone to a bone condition called rickets, which is a condition when the bone becomes weak and soft. Children need vitamin D to ensure that their bones grow properly during the period of rapid growth.
3. Mood Regulation
Studies suggest that when vitamin D levels are low in the body, then it can lead to mood disorders like depression and other related disorders. Vitamin D plays an important role in the production of serotonin that helps regulate mood. By ensuring that your child has enough vitamin D, you can prevent mood swings and look after their emotional well-being.
What Can Parents Do?
1. Include Vitamin D-Rich Food In Your Diet
It’s very important to add foods that are rich in vitamin D to the diet of your children during the winter months when exposure to sunlight is quite limited. Vitamin D is naturally found in a few food items only. Some of them are milk, orange juice, cereals, egg yolks, fatty fish, etc. For children who are lactose intolerant, plant-based milk like soy or almond is generally considered one of the best picks.
2. Increase Exposure To Sunlight
The sun is not too strong in the winter season; still, it is important for individuals to spend some time outdoors. When exposed to sunlight, your body produces vitamin D naturally. This implies strong bones, a healthier immune system, etc. It is vital that you spend around 10-30 minutes outdoors. Even though children wear layers of clothing in winters, sunlight gets inside their bodies through their hands, face, etc. This short exposure to sunlight proves to be good for your little ones.
So, if you want to make your children healthy and fit, make sure you add vitamin D to their daily routine.
