Everyone knows the importance of calcium for strong bones and teeth, but what everybody doesn’t know- and what every mother should know- is that childhood is a critical time for obtaining adequate calcium for lifelong bone health.

Infancy is the period of rapid skeletal growth and mineralization and as Mother Nature always knows best, it is not surprising that the main dietary component for all babies and animals is calcium-rich milk! Another one of nature’s subtle offerings, is the simple constant of the sun, which  provides more to our children than happy daylight hours!

The sun is in fact our chief source of vitamin D, which is synthesized by the skin during direct exposure to sunlight. Vitamin D promotes the absorption and transport of calcium in the body. Thus, calcium AND vitamin D are essential nutrients for growing bones.  

Dairy foods (as you can see in an earlier article entitled “Calcium Contestants are No Match for Milk”) are by far the best choice for obtaining dietary calcium and for optimum calcium absorption it is important to ensure an adequate supply of vitamin D as well.

Vitamin D occurs in two forms - vitamin D2, which is found in a small number of foods (egg yolk, cod liver oil, mackerel, salmon, sardines and tuna) and vitamin D3, which is formed in the skin when in contact with the sun.

Both forms  are converted into the same structure in the body and stored in the liver and kidneys, but looking at the dietary sources, daily consumption of these is unlikely, which emphasizes the importance of children playing outside (with a good sun block of course, which doesn’t inhibit vitamin D!)  Five to fifteen minutes of sun exposure everyday is the ideal recommendation - even if it is just the face and hands that are exposed.

Keeping a healthy store of vitamin D in the body is important because when blood calcium levels drop hormones are released to activate vitamin D out of storage, which in turn encourages increased calcium absorption by the intestine. 

Hence, a glass of milk and cookies - and a warm patch of sun, is Honeydew’s daily recommendation for keeping children, and adults, healthy (and happy!)

Honeydew’s Health Advisor is a Registered Dietician,
Wife, Mother and Active Individual, whose Aim is to Promote
Healthy Eating and provide up-to-date Information for All of our Valued Consumers.
At Honeydew, your Health is our Concern!