What You Need to Know About Vitamin A & Your Kids
From the archive. This post was first published on the original Green Eggs and Moms blog and is kept here as it was.
According to The News, vitamin A deficiency can lead to blindness, poor immunity and increased risk of death during infections such as measles and diarrhea.
Also, the World Health Organization says that vitamin A deficiency is a leading health problem in over 50% of all countries with South-East Asia and Africa hit the most.
Importance of Vitamin A
A recent study has found that Vitamin A may reduce risk of melanoma (skin cancer) but that’s not all. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Mayo Clinic name these as other health benefits:
- Helps reproduction, bone growth and cell division
- Fights off infection by producing more white blood cells which kill harmful viruses and bacteria
- Helps a type of white blood cell (lymphocytes) fight infection better
- Promotes healthier surface linings for the eyes and for the following tracts: respiratory, intestinal and urinary
- May reduce death caused by measles
- May prevent some types of cancer
Vitamin A Intake Requirements
Here is the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) in micrograms (mcg) and international units (IU).
| Age | mcg | IU |
| 0 – 6 months | 400 | 1,320 |
| 7 – 12 months | 500 | 1,650 |
| 1 – 3 years | 300 | 1,000 |
| 4 – 8 years | 400 | 1,320 |
| 9 – 13 years | 600 | 2,000 |
2 types of vitamin A sources
- Preformed vitamin A - from animals
- Provitamin A carotenoid – from fruits and vegetables
| Fish Oils | Butter | Cayenne | Butternut Squash | Cantelope |
| Liver | Cheese | Chili Powder | Carrots | Dried Apricots |
| Liver Pate | Chicken | Dried Herbs | Dark Leafy Veggies | Mangoes |
| Mackerel | Eggs | Paprika | Lettuce | Papayas |
| Trout Herring | Milk | Red Pepper | Sweet Potatoes | Peaches |
While there are supplements to provide your child with Vitamin A, it may be best for them to get it from a healthy diet.
However, should you feel that your child isn’t getting enough of the vitamin from food, consult your pediatrician about supplements.
Vitamin A is an important part of a child’s diet since it helps improve the immune system, fight off infection and retain good vision. You want to give your kids the best possible future and improving their health is the best way to start.
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