Children's Vitamins Can be Deadly

Vitamins seem like such a good thing–they provide you with the extra nutrients you might have missed out on in your regular meals. However, it is also important to be careful about what vitamins you take, as well as how much. This is especially true for children whose little bodies can't necessarily handle supplements in large quantities.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, all children should most likely take vitamin D. But since vitamins D, K and A are fat soluble any excess is stored in a child’s tissues and can make them sick. Doctors warn that parents should go easy with these vitamins. Vitamin A can also be toxic in large doses, leading to a suppressed immune system and a copper deficiency.

So how do you know when to give your child a vitamin? If you feed your child a balanced meal that includes protein, low-fat dairy products, fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains, then your child probably doesn’t need a vitamin. If you have a picky eater or a vegetarian, however, you might want to consider adding a multivitamin to your child’s diet. In general, you should consider the child, but make sure to keep vitamins out of reach of curious children. Vitamins come in all shapes and sizes, including gummy shapes that look and taste like candy, but could lead to an accidental overdose..