Parents often wonder if extra vitamins can help their children grow taller or stronger. A large review of data from about 2,100 children and adolescents looked at how taking calcium and vitamin D supplements affected their growth. The researchers found that these supplements did not have a significant effect on monthly height growth or weight gain.
While the supplements did not change how tall children grew, they did show a small positive difference in bone mineral density. This is a measure of the amount of minerals in the bones at the spine, neck, and across the whole body. However, experts warn that these small increases in mineral density do not necessarily mean the bones are stronger or that the children are less likely to break a bone.
Ultimately, the study suggests that these supplements should be used to fix specific deficiencies or low intake rather than as a way to promote growth. Because the data on bone strength is limited, talk to a doctor to see if your child actually needs these supplements based on their specific health needs.
