When my children were younger, they would fight over which Scooby Doo character they got to chew up each morning.

Like a number of cartoon characters, the hapless mystery-solvers were made into chewable vitamins in the hope that children would take them as a daily supplement to their diets.

Vitamins (and certain minerals) are substances that our bodies need in small amounts that we usually cannot make enough of on our own. They help the body to function properly.

* Vitamin A promotes growth, night and color vision, and healthy skin. It is found in vegetables (such as carrots), dairy products and liver.

* Vitamin B comes in many varieties and is involved in numerous metabolic activities in our bodies, as well as in red blood cell functioning.

These vitamins are found in meat, liver, poultry, fish, soybeans, milk, eggs, whole grains, and in enriched breads and cereals.

* Vitamin C strengthens our muscles, skin and connective tissues. It also helps our bones and skin heal.

It is found in citrus fruits, strawberries, tomatoes, potatoes, Brussels sprouts, spinach and broccoli.

* Vitamin D promotes calcium absorption, tooth formation and bone formation. It is found in dairy products, fish oils, fortified margarine and egg yolks.

* Vitamin E is an antioxidant found in vegetable oils, whole grains, nuts, fruits, vegetables and meats.

* Vitamin K helps with blood clotting and is involved with bone health. It is found in green vegetables, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, plant oils and margarine.

* Iron is important for red blood cell production and the building of muscles. It is found in beef, turkey, pork, liver, fortified cereals, flour, spinach, beans and prunes.

* Calcium, important for bone growth, is found in milk, cheese, yogurt, sardines, salmon, broccoli, spinach, fortified fruit juices, rhubarb, bok choy and almonds.

Vitamins are usually present in a balanced diet. Most otherwise healthy children do not need a daily multivitamin.

However, some children do -- children who are picky or have erratic eating habits, those who are on special diets (such as vegetarians), and those who have certain diseases (such as cystic fibrosis).

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants who are exclusively breastfed, or those children who drink less than a quart of formula or milk a day be supplemented with 400 IU per day of vitamin D.

This is because there is­ very little vitamin D in human breast milk.
Although we are capable of making vitamin D in our skin with sun exposure, sunscreens block this ability.

In proper amounts, vitamins can help promote good health. In large (megadose) amounts, some can cause bad side effects or even be toxic.

Interestingly, parents who give their children a daily multivitamin are the ones most likely to provide their children with a balanced diet in the first place.

Dr. Charles Ison is a University of Kentucky graduate who has practiced in his hometown of Lexington since 1993. He is a partner in Pediatric and Adolescent Associates.