Dietary Supplements in Childhood — Harm or Benefit?

Consumption of dietary supplements in childhood has increased significantly over the past decades. The most common dietary supplements are multivitamin-mineral complexes. Commonly parents make the decision to give dietary supplements without any pediatrician consultation, despite the presence of certain indications. The major reasons to use dietary supplements in children are protection against infections, accelerated growth, and unbalanced nutrition. Uncontrolled implementation of such supplements can lead to various adverse reactions. Promotion of healthy diet among children is crucial aspect of maintaining the children health. It should be noted that dietary supplements are not necessary for healthy children with diverse diet, and their excessive uncontrolled consumption can even do harm. At the same time, there are target groups of children whose diets can be enriched with dietary supplements. Among them are adolescent athletes who, with increased physical exertion, are recommended to consume protein dietary supplements, vitamin supplements are indicated in situations of poor nutritional quality, restrictive diets, pregnancy, the risk of vitamin deficiency, vegetarians and vegans need to make up for micronutrient deficiencies.