The short answer to this question is yes, vitamin B12 is completely safe for children to consume. It is because if you want to make sure that a child grows up healthily and is shielded from hazardous ailments, he/she should consume a balanced diet that has carbohydrates, fats, and proteins proportions according to the RDI levels. In addition, his/her diet should contain essential minerals and vitamins, including B12 to promote absolute development of the body and the brain.
Read till the end to learn about the advantages of vitamin B12 for children, its common sources, and recommended daily intake levels for children of different age groups. But first, let’s look into a quick overview of vitamin B12 below.
Page Contents:
Vitamin B12: What Is It?
B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that belongs to the vitamin B group and is essential for a well-balanced human diet. It is found in animal products naturally and also comes in the form of supplements. B12 is made of the mineral cobalt and thus is also called cobalamin. Furthermore, it helps in metabolism by converting carbs, proteins, and fats into sugar, and producing energy.
Advantages of Vitamin B12 for Children
Vitamin B12 facilitates all sorts of development in children and its importance is backed by scientific evidence. Here are several benefits of vitamin B12 5000 mcg:
- During pregnancy, adequate amounts of maternal vitamin B12 are necessary for the proper development of the offspring’s brain.
- B12 also helps increase bone density and maintain bone health in children.
- Red blood cells production is facilitated by vitamin B12 and prevents anemia in young people.
- It also enhances mood by producing serotonin and dopamine. However, lack of B12 may lead to depression.
- Vitamin B12 is important for healthy hair, skin, and nails because it prevents hyperpigmentation, brittle hair, and nail discoloration.
Recommended Intake of Vitamin B12 in Children
Children of various age groups require varied amounts of B12. Here is the RDI in micrograms (mcg) for children:
- Babies up to 6 months require 0.4 mcg
- Babies of age 7 to 12 months require 0.5 mcg
- Children of age 1 to 3 years require 0.9 mcg
- Children of age 4 to 8 years require 1.2 mcg
- Children of age 9 to 13 years require 1.8 mcg
- Teenagers of age 14 to 18 years require 2.4 mcg
Best Vitamin B12 Sources for Children
We all know that children are picky about foods, and it causes a deficit in their nutrition intake, making them weak and become prone to ailments. But don’t stress over it, we have handpicked a few B12 sources that are suitable for children:
- Milk
- Egg
- Fortified cereals
- Chicken
- Cheese
- Banana
- Fish
Although animal products are rich in vitamin B12, most youngsters don’t eat them properly. Hence, it would be a better option to give them vitamin B12 supplements in addition to the above foods for that extra intake.
Conclusion
Based on the above discussion we can conclude that vitamin B12 is mandatory for your child to grow into a fit individual with no health risks. Also, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration tosa y that vitamin B12 add a few years in life!
