Vitamins are important to prevent diseases. Vitamin deficiency, especially seen in children, causes their immunity to decrease and the growth process to slow down. Child Health and Diseases Specialist Dr. Sevil Elçin Kızılok gave important information to parents about the use of vitamins in babies and children. Stating that vitamins ensure the proper use of nutrients and play a role in energy production, they play a very important role in the functioning of metabolism, Dr. “Vitamins are very necessary for healthy body development, digestive and circulatory functions, and immunity to infections,” said Kızılok.
VITAMIN TAKING IS IMPORTANT IN THE AGE OF GROWTH
Noting that vitamin intake is important in children, especially during periods of accelerated growth, Dr. Kızılok said, “These periods are infancy, childhood and adolescence. Close control is important in these periods of 0-3 years, 5 years, 10 years, that is, the onset of puberty. Apart from this, support is needed in children who play sports, in cases of chronic diseases that reduce adequate nutritional intake, in cases where immunity decreases, and in cases where frequent infections are experienced.
VITAMIN DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
Dr. Stating that the most important symptom of vitamin deficiency in children is growth and developmental retardation, Kızılok listed other symptoms as follows: “Frequent infections, diarrhea, flaking on the scalp, delayed healing of skin wounds, tooth decay, fatigue, weakness, headache, behavioral disorders, forgetfulness, joint swelling in areas of
VITAMINS D AND K ARE SUPPLIED AS A SUPPLEMENT
Stating that babies need vitamins D, K, A, C and B12 from birth, Dr. Kızılok said, “Vitamins D and K are given to the baby as supplements. To supplement vitamin K deficiency, newborns should routinely be given 1mg of vitamin K immediately after birth. Vitamin D is not found in sufficient amount in breast milk. Therefore, vitamin D supplementation should be started from the first days of the newborn. The daily need for vitamin D is 400IU until the first year of age, and then 600IU. If the child has symptoms of deficiency, the blood vitamin D level must be checked and the treatment dose of vitamin D should be given under the control of the doctor. Dr. Kızılok stated that the baby takes other vitamins from breast milk only for the first 6 months, and from the mother’s milk together with additional food support from the 6th month to the age of 2 years.
VEGAN FOOD MOTHERS SHOULD TAKE B12 SUPPLEMENT
Dr. Emphasizing that vitamin B12 ensures that nerve and blood cells are healthy, Kızılok said the following about vitamin B12 deficiency in infants: “Symptoms; vomiting, lethargy, and developmental delay or regression. Vitamin B12 deficiency can occur in infants between the ages of 2 and 6 months. However, the symptoms that can be seen in vitamin B12 deficiency may not be observed clearly until 6 to 12 months. Reminding that vitamin B12 is not found in plant foods, Dr. For this reason, Kızılok recommended B12 supplementation to vegan mothers.
IMPORTANT NUTRITIONAL SOURCE FOR VITAMIN A IN BREAST MILK
Stating that vitamin A supports the immunity of the baby, strengthens eyesight and improves skin health, Dr. “Breast milk is also an excellent source of vitamin A. With the transition to solid foods, your baby can get vitamin A through breast milk through spinach, carrots and dark green vegetables. If vitamin A deficiency occurs -with the advice of your doctor- you can use vitamin A supplements after your baby is 6 months old.
FASTEST DEVELOPMENT FIRST FEW YEARS
Dr. Emphasizing that brain development begins in the womb, Kızılok said, “The fastest development occurs in the first few years of life and most of it is completed before the age of 5. After the foods we consume are digested, they come to the brain through the blood, the blood-brain barrier allows the beneficial nutrients. Omega 3 is the most important building block for every cell membrane to be healthy.
Pointing out that the human organism cannot synthesize Omega 3 fatty acids, which are essential for brain development and cognitive functions, they must be taken with food. Kızılok said that oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, horse mackerel and anchovy are good sources of Omega 3 fatty acids (EPA, DHA).
OILY FISH MUST BE CONSUMED FOR OMEGA 3
Giving the information that 350 grams (on average twice) of oily fish should be consumed per week for adequate Omega 3 intake with nutrition, Dr. “Children who do not consume fish are also recommended to use appropriate Omega 3 supplements to meet their Omega 3 fatty acid needs,” said Kızılok.
Dr. Kızılok also stated that certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies such as zinc, iron, magnesium and vitamin B6 can be seen in children with hyperactivity disorder, adding that “Antioxidants such as vitamins A, C and E are also important. After all, a balanced and varied diet is important not only for intelligence and cognitive functions, but also for all kinds of functions.
THOSE WHO WANT TO HAVE CHILDREN SHOULD LOOK AT VITAMIN DEFICIENCIES.
Dr. Finally, Kızılok emphasized that health starts from the first cell in the mother’s womb and underlined that couples who want to have a child should have their tests done beforehand, support them if there is a deficiency, and pay attention to their nutrition. Dr. Kızılok recommended avoiding stress and habits such as smoking and alcohol that increase free radicals as much as possible, and using vitamins, minerals and especially Omega 3 supplements recommended by doctors from the beginning of pregnancy.
UNCONSCIOUSLY USED VITAMINS ARE HARMFUL
Pointing out that we need to get vitamins naturally from plant and animal foods, Dr. Kızılok explained that due to the increase in GMO products, air, soil and water pollution, and the use of chemicals in agriculture, access to clean food rich in vitamins and minerals has become difficult. Reminding that a significant part of the vitamin content is lost during the washing, storage and cooking processes of food, Dr. “If we can’t get enough vitamins naturally, we should use them as supplements,” said Kızılok. Dr. Kızılok emphasized that unconscious use brings more harm than good and said, “Excess water-soluble vitamins B and C are thrown away. Doses of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K should be under the control of a physician, otherwise they may accumulate and cause toxic effects.