Vitamins for teenagers

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Vitamins for Teenagers: Essential Nutrients and Recommendations

Importance of Vitamin D for Adolescents

Vitamin D Deficiency and Health Implications

Vitamin D is crucial for bone development during adolescence, a period marked by rapid growth and bone mineralization. Deficiency in vitamin D can lead to poor bone health and increase the risk of osteoporosis later in life 19. Despite its importance, vitamin D deficiency is prevalent among adolescents worldwide, even in sunny regions . This deficiency can have secondary consequences on calcium homeostasis, as indicated by increased parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels in unsupplemented adolescents during winter .

Recommended Vitamin D Intake

There is no consensus on the optimal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration for adolescents, with recommendations varying widely from 25 nmol/L to 150 nmol/L . The dietary requirements for vitamin D also vary, with suggested intakes ranging from 200 IU/day to 1,000 IU/day, and an upper tolerable intake of 4,000 IU/day . Studies suggest that vitamin D intakes between 10 and 30 µg/day are necessary to maintain adequate serum levels during winter . Routine supplementation is often recommended, with doses adjusted based on factors like season, skin pigmentation, and sun exposure .

Efficacy of Vitamin D Supplementation

A randomized clinical trial comparing 200 IU and 1,000 IU of daily vitamin D3 supplementation in healthy adolescents found no significant difference in serum 25(OH)D levels between the two doses after 11 weeks . This suggests that even higher doses might be necessary to achieve optimal vitamin D status in this age group.

Vitamin and Mineral Supplement Use Among Teenagers

Prevalence and Motivations

The use of vitamin and mineral supplements is common among teenagers, with a prevalence of 31% among Korean adolescents . High-school students, females, and those from higher socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely to use supplements. The most frequently used supplements include vitamin C, multivitamins, and vitamin A .

Dietary Consequences

Supplement users often have a more positive view of the health benefits of supplements compared to non-users. However, combining dietary and supplemental intakes can lead to nutrient intakes exceeding recommended upper-intake levels, particularly for niacin, vitamin C, and iron . This highlights the need for careful monitoring of total nutrient intake to avoid potential adverse effects.

Vitamin B12 Intake in Adolescents

Sources and Adequacy

Vitamin B12 is essential for red blood cell formation, DNA synthesis, and neurological function. With the rise in popularity of plant-based diets, there is a concern about vitamin B12 deficiency, as its primary sources are animal-based products . In Ireland, the prevalence of inadequate vitamin B12 intake among children and teenagers is notable, emphasizing the need for dietary planning to ensure sufficient intake .

Conclusion

Ensuring adequate vitamin intake during adolescence is critical for supporting growth and long-term health. While vitamin D and B12 are particularly important, the use of supplements should be carefully managed to avoid excessive intake. Further research is needed to establish clear guidelines and effective supplementation strategies to address the nutritional needs of teenagers.

Sources and full results

Most relevant research papers on this topic

Vitamin D in Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis of Available Recommendations.

There is no consensus on optimal vitamin D levels for adolescents, and stronger evidence-based guidance is needed to inform clinical practice.

Systematic Review

2020·

18citations

·Magdalini Patseadou et al.

Vitamin and mineral supplement use by healthy teenagers in Korea: motivating factors and dietary consequences.

Vitamin and mineral supplement use among Korean teenagers is prevalent (31%), with high-school students, females, rural dwellers, and high socioeconomic groups showing the highest usage.

Observational Study

2001·

39citations

·Sun H. Kim et al.

A randomized clinical trial of vitamin D supplementation in healthy adolescents.

In healthy adolescents with baseline vitamin D sufficiency, 200 and 1,000 IU of daily vitamin D3 supplementation for 11 weeks did not significantly increase serum 25(OH)D levels.

RCTRigorous Journal

2013·

28citations

·M. Putman et al.

Estimation of the dietary requirement for vitamin D in adolescents aged 14-18 y: a dose-response, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Vitamin D intakes between 10 and 30 g/d are required by white adolescents during winter to maintain serum 25(OH)D concentrations >25-50 nmol/L, depending on the serum 25(OH)D threshold chosen.

RCTVery Rigorous Journal

2016·

43citations

·T. J. Smith et al.

Adequacy of vitamin D intakes in children and teenagers from the base diet, fortified foods and supplements

Children consuming the habitual diet cannot currently meet the US Institute of Medicine dietary reference intake for vitamin D, with fortified foods contributing significantly to their intake.

Observational StudyRigorous Journal

2013·

54citations

·L. Black et al.

Vitamin D and adolescents: what do we know?

Maintaining sufficient vitamin D levels during adolescence can improve long-term health outcomes, but further studies are needed to determine the most appropriate supplementation regimens.

Literature Review

2009·

34citations

·N. Stoffman et al.

Intakes and sources of vitamin B12 in a nationally representative sample of children and teenagers (5–18 years) in Ireland

Vitamin B 12 has an important role in the development of red-blood cells, DNA, brain and nerve cells (1) . An increase in the popularity of plant-based diets may increase the risk of vitamin B 12 de ﬁ ciency due to its main dietary sources being animal-based products. This may be of particular importance in vulnerable groups such as children and teenagers who are undergoing rapid growth and development. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate current intakes and sources of vitamin B 12 in children and teenagers in Ireland. Analyses are based on data from two nationally representative food consumption surveys of children and teenagers in the Republic of Ireland; the National Children ’ s Food Survey II (n = 600) (2017 – 18) and the National Teens ’ Food Survey II (n = 428) (2019 – 20) (www.iuna.net). Food and beverage intake data (including nutritional supplements) were collected using a 4-day weighed food record. Nutrient intakes were estimated using Nutritics © based on UK and Irish food composition data and usual intakes of vitamin B 12 were calculated via the NCI-method using SAS © Enterprise Guide. The prevalence of inadequate intakes of vitamin B 12 (excluding energy under-reporters (NCFS II: 19.5%, NTFS II: 46%)) (2) was estimated using the estimated average requirement (EAR) established by the UK Department of Health (4-6y: 0.7mg/d, 7-10y: 0.9mg/d, 11-14y:

2022·

0citations

·R. Kelleher Long et al.

[Prevention of vitamin D deficiency in adolescents and pre-adolescents. An interventional multicenter study on the biological effect of repeated doses of 100,000 IU of vitamin D3].

Repeated doses of 100,000 IU of vitamin D3 during winter in preadolescents and adolescents in northern France effectively prevent vitamin D deficiency and maintain calcium homeostasis.

RCT

2000·

21citations

·J. Duhamel et al.

Vitamin D in adolescents: Are current recommendations enough?

Current dietary recommendations for vitamin D in adolescents may not be sufficient to achieve higher threshold levels proposed for adequacy, potentially increasing the risk of osteoporosis in adulthood.

2017·

25citations

·T. J. Smith et al.

Systematic review on evidence‐based adolescent nutrition interventions

Adolescent nutrition interventions can significantly improve serum hemoglobin concentration and reduce preterm birth and low birth weight, but more research is needed on calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, and iodine supplementation.

Systematic ReviewRigorous JournalHighly Cited

2017·

84citations

·Z. Lassi et al.

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