Vitamins and minerals are nutrients that help build strong bones and fight infections. It is very difficult to get the proper amount of the following vitamins from foods, which is why your CF team recommends a special multivitamin that is easily absorbed. Your CF team will check your vitamin levels every year to make sure that your body has the amount it needs.

Important Nutrients
      • Zinc
      • Iron
      • Calcium
      • Vitamin A
      • Vitamin D
      • Vitamin E
      • Vitamin K

Vitamin A
What?
Vitamin A—a fat-soluble vitamin that can also be made from beta-carotene.

Where? Found in egg yolks, milk, liver and fortified cereals. Good sources of beta-carotene include dark green or orange fruits and vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, winter squash, spinach, broccoli, apricots, cantaloupe and peaches.

Why do I need Vitamin A?
Vitamin A plays an important part in vision, healthy bones and the immune system. Beta-carotene works as an antioxidant to keep tissues healthy.

How much Vitamin A do I need?
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation recommends teens receive 10,000 IU of vitamin A each day.

Vitamin D
What? 
Vitamin D—a vitamin that the body absorbs with fat.

Where?
Found in fortified milk, liver, salmon and fortified cereals. Your body can also make vitamin D during sun exposure, but it is important not to get too much sun because of the risk of skin cancer. Talk to your CF team about the right amount of sun for you.

Why do I need Vitamin D?
Vitamin D helps to build and maintain strong bones by keeping the right amount of calcium and phosphorus in the blood. Without enough vitamin D, your bones can become thin and brittle.

How much Vitamin D do I need?
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation recommends teens receive 400-800 IU of vitamin D each day.

Vitamin E
What?
Vitamin E—a fat-soluble vitamin.

Where?
Vitamin E is found in vegetable oils, wheat germ, green leafy vegetables and fortified cereals.

Why do I need Vitamin E?
Vitamin E is an antioxidant, which means that it protects compounds in the body from being oxidized, or combined with oxygen, which can be harmful to the body. Vitamin E also keeps red blood cells, the lining of the intestine, and the lungs healthy.

How much Vitamin E do I need?
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation teens receive 200-400 IU of vitamin E each day.

Vitamin K
What?
Vitamin K is a fat soluble vitamin. 

Where?
Found in dark green leafy vegetables like spinach, broccoli and turnip greens.  Vitamin K is also made by bacteria in the intestine.

Why do I need Vitamin K?
Some people on long-term antibiotic therapy may need extra vitamin K because the antibiotics kill the bacteria that make vitamin K in the intestine. 

How much Vitamin K do I need?
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation recommends that teens take 300-500 mcg of Vitamin K every day.

Calcium
What?
Calcium is a mineral that is important for strong bones and teeth. 

Where?
Found in milk, cheese, yogurt, beans and calcium fortified foods. Eight ounces of milk has about 300 milligrams of calcium. If you do not like calcium rich foods, you may be able to take calcium supplements to meet your needs.

Why do I need Calcium?
Calcium is the building block for strong bones and teeth.  Calcium also helps your muscles, especially your heart, work properly.

How much Calcium do I need?
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation recommends teens and adults receive at least 1300 mg of calcium each day.

Zinc
What?
Zinc is a mineral that is important for strong bones and teeth. 

Where?
Found in oysters, red meat, poultry, beans, nuts, whole grains, fortified breakfast cereals and dairy products. The zinc from animal sources is absorbed better than zinc from plant sources.           

Why do I need Zinc?
Zinc is important for growth, immunity, and regulation of appetite.

Iron
What?
Iron is a mineral that is an important part of the blood.

Where?
Found in red meat, poultry, beans, nuts, seafood and fortified foods. The iron from animal sources is absorbed better than iron from plant sources.

Why do I need Iron?
Iron helps deliver oxygen to cells in your body and maintain your energy. 

How much Iron do I need?
The National Academy of Sciences recommends teens receive at least 8 mg of elemental iron each day. Iron is available in various preparations that contain differing amounts of elemental iron. Your CF team can help you figure out how much iron is right for you.