How long should children take calcium supplements?

When it comes to calcium supplementation, there are actually a lot of things to pay attention to, such as the method of calcium supplementation, the time of calcium supplementation, and the amount of calcium supplementation. These are all knowledge we need to know. Only by being proficient in all aspects can calcium supplementation achieve the best effect. How long children need to take calcium supplements is actually entirely determined by the amount absorbed by the body. As long as the body is no longer calcium deficient or there are no symptoms of calcium deficiency, calcium supplementation can naturally be stopped. There are also some things to note about calcium supplementation for children.

High calcium intake will affect the absorption of other trace elements

Infants and adolescents have the fastest bone growth and the largest calcium storage, so it is necessary to ensure calcium intake. However, excessive calcium supplementation, repeated calcium supplementation, and large amounts of vitamin D are not scientific. Not only do they affect children's appetite, they are also prone to anorexia, constipation, and bloating, and may even cause kidney stones. At the same time, high calcium intake will also affect the absorption of elements such as iron, zinc, and magnesium, and the impact will be greater for children with anemia and zinc deficiency.

Not every child needs calcium supplements.

Breast milk can meet the calcium needs of infants under four months old. Experts remind that, under normal circumstances, the calcium produced by breast milk every day can fully meet the physiological needs of infants under four months old. When the child is five or six months old, appropriate complementary foods should be added, such as calcium-rich foods such as dairy products and soy products. For children under one year old, 800 ml of milk per day is enough to provide the calcium needed for growth. For babies who do not drink breast milk but milk, it is recommended to take calcium supplements under the guidance of a doctor for appropriate calcium supplementation.

Balanced nutrition and reasonable exercise guarantee

Children's bone health experts say that although adolescents in the early and late stages of puberty have greater calcium needs than toddlers and preschoolers, calcium supplementation alone does not significantly improve height. Balanced nutrition and proper exercise are the most effective ways to ensure children's bone health. In the autumn when the temperature is moderate, children who are not obviously calcium deficient can supplement their calcium through foods such as soy products, dairy products and fish, and encourage their children to do more outdoor activities and use the ultraviolet rays of the sun to promote the absorption of calcium in the body, because sunbathing and outdoor sports are the best natural calcium preparations.

Reduce the impact of food factors on calcium supplementation

Because food contains many factors that affect calcium absorption and bioavailability, such as high salt content in the diet or eating a lot of protein, calcium can easily be lost in the urine, affecting the effectiveness of calcium supplementation. Foods such as spinach, rapeseed and cereal bran contain large amounts of oxalic acid or phytic acid, which can also affect the absorption of calcium in food. Appropriate protein, vitamin D in the diet, acidic amino acids and low-phosphorus diet can all improve calcium absorption and play a certain role in promoting calcium supplementation for babies.