Sources for combating nutritional rickets in children

Tuesday 26 January 2010 01:00 GMT

(Elena Elisseeva)

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There is a public health concern in the UK -- rickets has returned. Researchers on both sides of the pond are finding that children are playing on computers instead of outdoors, limiting their ability to get sufficient vitamin D, in combination with poor dietary habits.

There is a public health concern in the UK - rickets has returned. Researchers on both sides of the pond are finding that children are playing on computers instead of outdoors, limiting their ability to get sufficient vitamin D, in combination with poor dietary habits.

Rickets is a disease that has been practically non-existent in developed countries since the early-1900s. US agency Centers for Disease Control defines nutritional rickets as "a condition that causes weak or deformed bones in young people."

According to Simon HS Pearce , professor of endocrinology, and lead researcher in the study Diagnosis and management of vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D is essential, as its deficiency has been associated with cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, several cancers, and autoimmune conditions for both children and adults.

Most milk in the United States is fortified with vitamin D but physicians are saying children need double the vitamin D that they are currently getting. Sunlight is a major source of vitamin D and since various climates are changing, there are varying degrees of exposure compounded by the fact that many children today are opting to play indoors instead of outside.

Some nutritional ways to boost your child’s vitamin D levels include salmon, tuna, and mackerel and fish liver oils. Small amounts can also be found in beef liver, cheese, egg yolks, and certain mushrooms.

Since many of the food containing vitamin D are not especially kid-friendly you might opt for a cod liver oil supplement.

Also encouraging your children to spend some time outdoors, off the computers, and in the fresh air and sunlight can also do wonders.

Sources:

http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/340/jan11_1/b5664 (study)

http://dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamind.asp#h3

http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/r010330.htm