Vitamin D Deficiencies Found In Children Who Drink Cow’s Milk Substitutes

Canadian researchers report that each additional cup of a cow’s milk substitute drunk by children is associated with a five percent drop in vitamin D levels. Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for the development and strengthening of children’s bones. In North America, every 3.4 ounces of cow's milk is required to be fortified with 40 units of vitamin D. But lately more families are buying rice milk, almond, soy or goat’s milk – they needn’t be vitamin D fortified -- for their perceived health benefits, or because of milk allergies or lactose intolerance. The study involved 3,821 healthy children ages one to six.