Pay attention to dietary gaps
“Some children who have a restricted diet, such as a vegetarian diet with no dairy products, may need extra vitamin supplementation,” says Jean Moorjani, MD, a pediatrician at Orlando Health’s Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. If you’re following a vegetarian or vegan diet, you may need to supplement vitamin B12, iron, and zinc to ensure your child meets proper levels. Learn what nutrients you may be missing in a meatless diet.
Be wary of biotin
Biotin has been billed as building strong nails and thicker, healthier hair, but doctors aren’t sold on it as a supplement for kids or teens. “Right now, there aren’t any studies that fully support biotin as being a treatment for acne,” Dr. Moorjani says. “There are articles that say biotin causes acne, and others show that it may help. It’s probably unnecessary to give to kids as a daily supplement now with the information we have.” See what vitamins can boost healthy hair and skin.