By Cara Finnegan, Pure Matters Most parents know that children
need vitamins and minerals to stay healthy. But knowing exactly
what nutrients and how much they need of each is not always
easy. Learning a bit more about vitamins and minerals can help
ensure your kids are on the right nutritional track. Despite
parents’ best efforts, kids may not always get all the vitamins
and minerals they need. For example, a 2007 study conducted by
researchers from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia found
that more than half of children and adolescents who are
otherwise healthy could be lacking in vitamin D. This deficiency
affects the absorption of calcium and can lead to unhealthy
bones, rickets, and even osteoporosis. The study looked at
children between ages 6 and 21 and their dietary intake and body
mass. The research revealed that 55 percent of children had an
inadequate amount of vitamin D. To make sure your kids are
getting the full range of nutrients that they need, be sure to
offer your children a variety of