Good health starts in childhood
Vitamin supplementation is a common practice among adults, but did you know that vitamins strengthen children’s immune systems and support their development?
At birth, babies have an immature immune system that is unable to fight off infections. However, as they grow, their immune systems become stronger, thanks to vaccinations and moderate exposure to microorganisms in the environment, which help build the body’s natural defenses. These are the well-known antibodies, responsible for increasing resistance to common illnesses at this stage of life.
The immune system is made up of a network of cells, tissues, and organs. They work together to identify and eliminate pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. When a child gets sick for the first time, their body needs to learn to recognize these pathogens and mount an effective immune response. Once a child’s immune system mounts a successful defense, it will be able to recognize and fight off these invaders more easily in the future.
That is why, as children grow, it is essential that they receive all the nutrients they need to strengthen their immune systems. But the reality may be quite different.
In some cases, children have difficulty obtaining adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals through their diet, whether due to cultural, health, or socioeconomic factors. According to the National Study on Child Feeding and Nutrition (ENANI-2019), a first-of-its-kind study commissioned by the Ministry of Health in partnership with the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), anemia—regardless of type—is most common in infants aged 6 to 23 months, with a prevalence of 18.9%. The prevalence was 5.6% among children aged 2 to 5 years. The study found that the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in children under 5 years of age is 14.2%.
These figures are cause for concern. After all, it is worth noting that the main consequences of low nutrient intake for child development—in addition to anemia—include stunted growth, poor cognitive performance, night blindness, and a compromised immune system, which can lead to other, more severe illnesses.
Therefore, when it comes to children’s health, extra care must be taken to ensure they consume foods from all food groups every day. The greater the variety, the higher the likelihood of consuming the appropriate amount of vitamins found in eggs, red meat, vegetables, leafy greens, beans, other grains, and a variety of seasonal fruits.
Each vitamin plays a different role, and we'll tell you a little bit about what's behind some of the ones you've probably heard of:
. Vitamin A: It is essential for healthy vision and a healthy immune system, and helps maintain healthy skin.
. Vitamin B6: helps in the formation of red blood cells.
. Vitamin B12: It is involved in various metabolic functions, including the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates and protein synthesis. It also plays a key role in cell division, blood cell formation, and the synthesis of proteins and myelin (an important substance in the central nervous system).
. Vitamin C: helps with collagen formation and the absorption of iron from food
. Vitamin D3: Vitamin D helps build bones and teeth, maintain blood calcium levels, and promote the absorption of calcium and phosphorus.
. Vitamin E: acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Do you see how everything is connected? After all, the human body is like a soccer team: it takes different players with a wide range of skills to win the game together! That’s why it’s important to start training for this “championship” early in childhood by encouraging healthy, natural eating and involving children in activities that strengthen the immune system, such as swimming, walking, biking, and jumping rope.
Staying on top of doctor's appointments and checkups is essential to making sure everything is going well. With a pediatrician's guidance, it's easier to know when and how to offer the vitamins and the minerals that are important for each stage of a child's development.
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