Why are vitamins important for your child's health?

Vitamins are substances that are found within the foods that we eat and in supplements. They are essential for our general health and help to keep our bodies in excellent condition, from head to toe. Our bodies need a consistent supply of vitamins in order to grow and develop healthily and for our body's to function properly. All vitamins have a key role to play in our overall health and it is essential to gain a combination of all vitamins every single day. If children don't gain an array of foods that are rich in vitamins, multivitamin supplements are ideal to ensure they gain a mixture of all vitamins that are essential to their health.

Types of Vitamins

Vitamins are split into two separate groups: fat soluble and water soluble vitamins. Fat soluble vitamins like vitamins A, D, E and K are stored in the fat tissues in the body and remain there until your body needs them. Water soluble vitamins however, do not get stored as much in your body. They travel through your bloodstream and pass through the body if they are not used. This is why these types of vitamins, such as vitamin C and B complex vitamins, need to be replaced all the time.

Vitamin A: Vitamin A is vital for the health of our eyes and vision. It also plays an important role in promoting healthy immunity and is essential for the growth and development of cells in order to keep skin healthy.

Sources of vitamin A: Milk, eggs, liver, fortified cereals, green vegetables (carrots and sweet potatoes) and orange fruits (apricots, peaches and mangos).

Vitamin C: Vitamin C is essential for the formation of collagen; the tissue that helps to keep cells together, which also keeps our skin healthy. It is also important for healthy bones, teeth, gums and blood vessels and helps the body to absorb iron that aids in wound healing and brain function.

Sources of vitamin C: Citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi, peppers, tomatoes, broccoli and spinach.

Vitamin D: This vitamin is essential for absorbing calcium into the body, which build and maints healthy bones.

Sources of vitamin D: sunlight, egg yolks, oily fish, milk, soy milk and orange juice.

Vitamin E: Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps to protect our cells against damage and is also important for the health of red blood cells.

Sources of vitamin E: vegetable oils, nuts, green leafy vegetables, avocados, wheat germ and whole grains.

B-Complex vitamins:  B-Complex vitamins include vitamin B12, B6, B1, B2, B3 and B9 and they play a key role in the proper functioning of the entire body. They are essential to the health of our red blood cells and the conversion of food into energy as well as maintaining the health of skin, nerve function, the heart and muscles.

Sources of B-Complex vitamins: These vitamins are found in a huge array of foods and are found within every food group, including red meat, poultry, dairy products, vegetables and breads.