Vitamins for Your Baby

Vitamins and the Child

A great variety of foods make up a child’s well balanced diet which allows them to get the necessary elements their body needs for growth, maintenance and repair. A child’s health will suffer gradually over a long period of time rather than immediately if one or more essential elements are continuously lacking for the child’s body or the elements are present in insufficient amounts. Rather than being revealed by hunger pains this is a consider known as “Hidden Hunger” in which the signs are anemia, fatigue and deficiency diseases such as Berberi, Pellagra and Rickets. Make your child eat a well balanced diet that has all the elements needed to satisfy the body’s daily nutritional requirements if you want them to have a healthy life. The essential elements you should include are the following:

Vitamin A

There are many benefits to Vitamin A. On the inside it helps the formation of vision and maintains it while helping the body fight against infection. Outside the body it helps keep the skin smooth and increase a persons life span. Burning eyes, dry and rought skin, night-blindness and lusterless eyes are effects of insufficient Vitamin A intake. Yellow and green vegetables, liver, fish, eggs, papayas, mangoes, green chilies, carrots, butter, unskimmed milk, cheese, peaches and apricots are all sources of Vitamin A. If there is a deficiency you should give Arovit drops.

Vitamin B1 or Thiamin

Better digestion, fertility, growth, healthy nerves and heart are all benefits associated with Vitamin B1. Constipation, poor digestion, tiredness, nervousness, gas and beriberi which is a disease that attacks the nervous system and heart are effects of insufficient intake of Vitamin B1. Curds, whole wheat flour, peanuts, beans, peas, milk, live, mutton and papayas are good sources of Vitamin B1. In case of deficiency you should give Becozyum syrup.

Vitamin B2 or Riboflavin

Growth, vision and long life are all excellent benefits of Vitamin B2. There are three parts the Vitamin B2 deficiency can be divided into: the eyes, mouth and skin disorders. In the eyes an abnormal sensitivity to light and interference with vision can develop. The mouth disorders are typically limited to the lips. Their appearance becomes chapped and the line of closure usually looks red and very shiny. White spots may appear in the corners of the mouth and break down after sometime. Each angle of the mouth will have a crack appear and the tongue may also become discolored and look purplish red. Milk, eggs, chicken, liver, kidney and green leaves plants are all good sources of Vitamin B2.

Vitamin B3 or Niacin

Vitamin B3 is an essential component of the bodies production of healthy blood, skin and good digestion. A disease called Pellagra is the typical effect of insufficient Vitamin B3 intake. Skin disorders, weakness, loss of appetite and indigestion are typically the early symptoms of this condition. Late in the diseases development the mouth may become sore and ulcerated and diarrhea can develop. Whole wheat flour, soy beans, liver, peanuts, butter and chicken are good sources of Vitamin B3.

Vitamin C

The bodies growth and resistance to disease depends largely on Vitamin C. Wounds heal quickly and bleeding of the gums is prevented as well as healthy gums are promoted by Vitamin C. Bleeding gums, rheumatism, troublesome veins and arteries, brittle bones, sore throat, general weakness and susceptibility to all diseases are signs of insufficient Vitamin C intake. Between the ages of seven months and two years a common disease due to the deficiency of Vitamin C called Scurvy can develop. Physical weakness, inflamed and bleeding gums and easily bruised skin are signs of Scurvy. There are many sources of Vitamin C so it is not hard to maintain a high level in your body. Good Vitamin C sources include citrus fruits, raw tomatoes, strawberries, liver, cauliflower, mustard greens, capsicums, spinach, grapefruits, cabbages, oranges, pineapple, turnips, sweet potatoes, peaches, raw mangoes, chilies and papayas. In case of deficiency you can give redoxin tablets which are soluble in water.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D plays a vital role in keeping the teeth and bones strong, straight and firm. In addition, if plays a important role in providing good and comfortable sleep. Poor bone structure, bad teeth, nervous tension, calcium deficiency, near-sightedness, retardation of growth and chronic ill health are all common with an insufficient intake of Vitamin D. Rickets is a common disease caused by a deficiency of Vitamin D which leads to a softening of the bones. This disease products various degrees of bone deformities including nodules on the ribs, flexible and bent bones. Bowlegs and a misshapen skull are common with Rickets. Getting sunshine every day is the best source of Vitamin D. During the early morning hours you should have your child lie in the sun for an hour or so. Otherwise you can give them a diet that is rich in fish, sardines, milk, butter and eggs. Rickets can be controlled by cod liver oil and macalvit syrup.

Vitamin E

The heart, muscles and skin as well as a normal sex life are effected by the amount of Vitamin E in our body. Heart trouble and muscular atrophy can result from a insufficient intake of Vitamin E. Vegetable oils, apples, eggs, beans, grape fruits, bananas, celery, carrots, live chicken and butter are excellent sources of Vitamin E.

Vitamin K

Normal blood coagulation depends on Vitamin K. After surgery the speed with which the blood clots depends on how much Vitamin K is present in the persons body. Green leave plants such as spinach and beet tops have Vitamin K. However, the green tops of carrots, cabbage, liver, egg yolks and tomatoes are the best sources for Vitamin K.

Proteins

To keep the body firm and functioning it relies on proteins to help build and repair the body. Less resistance to disease, anemia, diseases of the kidney and liver, delayed convalescence and delayed healing of burns can result from a lack of protein in the body. Meat, chicken, fish, nuts, flour, cereals, peas, beans, milk and gelatin are good sources of protein.

Carbohydrates

The bodies ability to furnish heat and energy is fueled by carbohydrates, this is turn allows the body to work, act, move, perform and live. In order to use fat efficiently the body needs carbohydrates. Rice, wheat, onion, maize, jowar, honey, potatoes, figs, beans, nuts and fruits are good sources of carbohydrates.

Fats

Heat and energy come from fat. It also helps to make our meals palatable and satisfying. The most concentrated form of dietary energy is found in fat. The efficiency and utilization of fat soluble vitamins are promoted by fat. There are some fats and oils that are goods sources of Vitamin A, D, E and K.

Minerals

Like vitamins, minerals are an important part of leading a healthy life. Many people give their children vitamins but neglect minerals when in fact they often work together with vitamins. The building and repairing of body and teeth, bones and blood require the help of minerals. Minerals also play an important role in maintain the bodies water level, influences the gland secretions and keep blood and tissue in balance without them becoming too acidic or alkaline. Soluble salts have minerals present in the fluids of the body which supply power to movement and assistance in digestion.

Poor health, growth and certain serious disease can develop if there is a deficiency of minerals. Life would become extinct if some minerals were to disappear completely from the body. Brain power would fade, bones would not hold their shape and essential organs such as the heart, lungs and bowels would cease to function. For good health there are sixteen essential minerals, but not all are essential to equal degrees since some are not important individually but rather assist other minerals to function.

Calcium, iron, sodium chloride, iodine, phosphorous, copper, manganese and potassium are the important minerals to have in your body.

Calcium

Strong bones and teeth are built and maintained through calcium. It also helps keep the heart beating rhythmically along with normal nerve action and healthy nails. Tooth decay, brittle bones, nervousness, cramps, weak heart and nervous headache can result from a insufficient intake of calcium. Milk, cheese, buttermilk, eggs, green leafy vegetables, cauliflower, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, curds and beans are good sources of calcium.

Iron

A rosy complexion, pep and vigor, good memory and warm hands and feet require a good intake of iron. Anemia, tiredness, forgetfulness and lack of endurance can result with an insufficient amount of iron. Liver, apricots, cucumber, eggs, tomatoes, drumsticks, almonds and soy beans are important sources of iron.

Iodine

The production of thyroxin in the thyroid glands is aided by iodine which helps maintain the urge to work and play. A proper amount of iodine will help provide more stamina, greater endurance and helps a child stay slim. Goitre, overweight, tiredness and mental depression are effects of lack of iodine. Fish is the most important source of iodine since seawater contains the most iodine. However, fresh green vegetables also contain some iodine.

Phosphorous

The building and maintenance of strong bones and teeth needs phosphorous. It also plays an important role in glandular secretions and vital energy. Tooth decay, susceptibility to pyorrhea and brittle bones can result from a lack of phosphorous. Liver, fish, meat, milk, eggs, cheese, pulses and lentils, whole grains, nuts, spinach and garlic are important sources of phosphorous.

Copper

The formation of hemoglobin or the red color of the blood is stimulated by copper which puts the iron to work. Nuts and cereal foods are good sources of copper.

Manganese

Calcium works with manganese to help keep the heart from working too fast and aided the blood in the use of sugar. Milk, meat, grains, pulses, nuts and green leafy vegetables are good sources of manganese.

Sodium Chloride and Potassium

These two minerals are vital in keep the balance of water between the bodies cells. They also help the stimulation of the nerve impulse to the muscles which help them to contract. All muscles including those of the heart are influenced by these minerals. Although too much sodium chloride or common salt can lead to high blood pressure so you should add extra food to salt after it has been prepared. It is best to stick with foods that have been moderately salted and pickled.