Vitamin D is required to maintain healthy bones and teeth. It also is involved in healthy brain and immune system function. There has been some evidence children are not getting enough of it. Sometimes called the ‘Sunshine’ vitamin, vitamin D is actually produced within our bodies when skin is exposed to sunlight. As little as 15 minutes of a day of skin exposure to sunlight can result in enough vitamin D being produced. However, during fall and winter many people are not exposing their skin to sunlight and the sunlight is weaker during these seasons.
Therefore it may be necessary to make sure one is getting enough vitamin D by consuming foods containing it or by taking Vitamin D supplements. Getting enough vitamin D can reduce the chance of a child getting cavities by about fifty percent, indicated a research study conducted by Dr. Philippe Hujoel of the University of Washington. Even infants zero to 12 months old are supposed to get 400 IU daily, and after one year of age that amount should increase to 600.