Most parents understand the importance that milk plays in the diets of growing kids, yet according to new research appearing online in the journal Pediatrics, approximately two cups of milk daily can be extremely beneficial in boosting the overall health for children.
“We started to research the question because professional recommendations around milk intake were unclear and doctors and parents were seeking answers,” said lead author Jonathon Maguire, M.D., a pediatrician at St. Michael’s Hospital.
Maguire and his collaborators studied more than 1,300 children between the ages of 2 to 5 who were also participating in TARGet Kids!, a program operated by doctors and researchers from St. Michael’s Hospital and The Hospital for Sick Children to prevent long-term health and nutrition problems for children.
They determined that youngsters who drank up to two cups of milk a day had higher levels of vitamin D, which is important for calcium absorption.
“We saw that two cups of cow’s milk per day was enough to maintain adequate vitamin D levels for most children, while also maintaining iron stores,” added Maguire.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children should consume 400 international units per day of vitamin D, which in turn also helps the body better absorb phosphorus and supports the function of vital organs.
Growing kids need plenty of nutrients in order to maintain healthy bones and immune system strength. With supplements like CalMax Kids from Dr. Newton’s Naturals, children can gain essential amounts of calcium, magnesium and vitamin C, which can be beneficial in warding off a variety of conditions such as the common cold and flu.