title: Who needs vitamin supplements?
abstract: Supplementation for breast-fed babies should begin at six months, or from one month if the mother's vitamin status during pregnancy is doubtful, and should continue for five years. Any teenager or woman who could become pregnant should receive 400 microg folic acid daily. Pregnant and breast-feeding women, anyone over 65 years of age and anyone who is housebound should be advised to take vitamin D supplements. The two new Healthy Start vitamin formulations offer low-cost vitamin D and folic acid supplementation, free to those so entitled. RDAs (recommended daily amounts) are for adults and should not be used for children. RNIs (reference nutrient intakes for different ages) are the appropriate guide.
authors.forename: Judy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: More
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005522:Food Services; D018577:Homebound Persons; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D011247:Pregnancy; D013222:State Medicine; D006113:United Kingdom