Recently, the Wall Street Journal published an article about children and supplements. This is an issue that receives a lot of attention and debate, but finding accurate information can be difficult. We’re often asked our opinions on this issue and about which supplements we give our own kids.
As a Preventive Cardiologist (James) and Registered Dietitian (Joan) and the parents of four healthy children who regularly take vitamin D and omega-3 supplements, we’re happy to share our opinions from both professional/scientific and personal perspectives.
First, when discussing supplements, many people fail to recognize the difference between bringing a deficient level of a nutrient to a normal level versus bringing an already normal level to a super-normal level. When you supplement a deficiency and restore the level of the essential nutrient to a normal range, you typically see predictable, measurable results in a number of health parameters. Unfortunately, many American children fall into the deficient category and hover in deficient ranges for both vitamin D and omega 3 fats.
Omega-3 fats are considered essential fatty acids as they are critically important for long term optimal health. Unfortunately, foods rich in omega-3 fats are largely absent in the standard American diet, and children are often deficient in this nutrient. Omega-3 fats and DHA in particular are needed by every cell in the body and are vital for healthy brain and vision development. Fatty fish are the most plentiful dietary source of DHA and EPA; however, these fish can sometimes contain high levels of mercury and other heavy metals, and environmental contaminants like PCBs; and for this reason parents have often been advised to limit children’s fish intake.
It is also our professional opinion that the RDA of vitamin D for children is outdated. It is important to note that the current suggested daily intake values were established generations ago, at a time when children spent their days outside and before the development and widespread use of sunscreen and sunblock products. Additionally, risk factors for vitamin D deficiency are much more prevalent today; these include inadequate sun exposure (SPF 15 and above blocks 99% of vitamin D synthesis in the skin), darker skin, and obesity. In short, vitamin D deficiency is common in the American population including children and adolescents; vitamin D supplied via supplements can safely bring them into the normal (healthy) range.
One could argue that the most compelling stories in nutrition science today are omega-3 fats and vitamin D. First, scientific evidence points that both nutrients are deficient in American children. At the same time, both are easily treatable with supplements, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids. We feel strongly that most children be considered for omega-3 fatty acids and for vitamin D supplementation. Of course it is not appropriate for all. Parents should ask their pediatricians if their children would benefit from omega-3 or vitamin D supplements.
