Vitamin C, also known as Ascorbic Acid, is essential for the health of your child’s immune system. How and how much Vitamin C for children is needed for effective disease protection is a major consideration for parents. This guide will provide basic information to help you determine the right amount of Vitamin C to boost your child’s immunity.
How Much Vitamin C for Children Is Needed for Disease Protection: Recommended Intake
To ensure the best disease protection and immune system support, it is important to know the right amount of Vitamin C for children:
- Ages 1 to 3 years: 15 milligrams (mg) of Vitamin C per day
- Ages 4 to 8 years: 25 mg of Vitamin C per day
These recommendations will help your child’s body fight off infections and recover faster. Vitamin C, or Ascorbic Acid, also helps with tissue repair and iron absorption, which is important for overall health.
Top Sources of Vitamin C for Disease Protection
Adding foods rich in Vitamin C to your child’s diet is a great way to boost their immune system. Here are some of the best sources of Vitamin C:
- Banana: 94 mg per 1/4 cup
- Orange Juice: 50 mg per 1/2 cup
- Red Bell Pepper: 47.5 mg per 1/4 cup
- Papaya: 35 mg per 1/4 cup
- Kiwi: 41 mg per 1/4 cup
- Orange: 35 mg per 1/2 medium fruit
- Broccoli: 51 mg per 1/2 cup
- Strawberries: 21 mg per 3 medium berries
- Pink Grapefruit: 23 mg per 1/4 cup
- Cantaloupe: 17 mg per 1/4 cup
- Mango: 15 mg per 1/4 cup
These foods will help ensure that your child gets the right amount of Vitamin C for optimal disease protection and immune system support.
Can Children Overdose on Vitamin C?
While Vitamin C is essential for immune health, it’s also important to avoid overconsumption. Vitamin C, or Ascorbic Acid, is water-soluble, so excess is usually excreted through urine, but too much can still cause problems such as:
- Ages 1 to 3 years: More than 400 mg of Vitamin C per day is considered excessive.
- Ages 4 to 8 years: More than 650 mg of Vitamin C per day is considered excessive.
Be careful with supplements, as some of them may contain high amounts of Vitamin C that may exceed the recommended daily dose.
Ensuring Adequate Vitamin C for Disease Protection
For most children, a balanced diet provides enough Vitamin C for disease protection and immune system support. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) generally recommends getting the vitamin from food rather than supplements, unless otherwise directed by a doctor. If your child is a picky eater or has specific dietary needs, such as those with sensory processing disorders or autism, consult your pediatrician about the possible need for a Vitamin C supplement.
By understanding how much Vitamin C children need for disease protection and including Vitamin C-rich foods in their daily diet, you can help strengthen your child’s immune system and promote better overall health.
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Philippines