How to supplement trace elements for children

In life, we all go through different stages, and nutrition in each stage is very important. Each period determines our health for a period of time. Take children for example! The nutrition they need is also very important, but what is more important is the trace elements of children. Sometimes, experts only supplement nutrition for children and ignore the trace elements of children. This approach is incorrect. We should focus on improving the trace elements of children. So, the question is, how should we supplement the trace elements of children? Don’t worry, the editor will help you solve it. Let’s take a look at how to increase children’s trace elements!

Since babies grow and develop very quickly from birth to 1 year old, their metabolism is also very fast. Therefore, if you don't pay attention, they will lack calcium, iron and zinc. How to properly supplement calcium for babies? What kind of calcium is most easily absorbed by babies? You can consider the following ways:

1. Medicinal calcium: Calcium containing calcium carbonate is best, and vitamin AD preparations should be taken at the same time as calcium supplementation. The daily calcium requirement for babies aged 0-6 months is 400 mg; the daily calcium requirement for babies aged 6 months to 1 year is 600 mg.

2. Calcium supplementation through complementary foods: milk, egg yolk, fish paste, shrimp paste, seaweed, kelp soup, soy milk, etc.

3. Zinc supplementation through complementary foods: liver paste, lean minced meat, chicken, duck, goose, meat paste, fish paste, mushrooms, shellfish, etc.; medications such as zinc gluconate and zinc sulfate can be taken under the guidance of a doctor.

4. Supplement iron with complementary foods: eat more vegetables, tomatoes, rapeseed, celery, apricots, peaches, plums, oranges, dates, lean meat, egg yolks, animal liver, kidneys, etc., because the iron in food is not easily absorbed. Therefore, vitamin C needs to be taken at the same time.

First of all, it is necessary to determine whether the baby is lacking in nutrients. For children who are calcium deficient, it is best to first understand their diet, whether they are lacking in cod liver oil (vitamin D), and whether they are consuming enough calcium-rich foods such as milk. If the baby has anemia, do not supplement iron immediately, but first rule out thalassemia (a congenital hemoglobin abnormality), iron deficiency anemia, inflammation, or lead poisoning. Nowadays, food is extremely abundant, and there are many foods containing iron. If your baby suffers from iron deficiency anemia, he or she can get it from food under the guidance of a doctor.

Secondly, the absorption of various nutrients has its specificity. To supplement nutrition for your baby effectively, you must grasp the absorption rules of different nutrients. Calcium absorption mainly occurs in the proximal small intestine, which is an active absorption process that requires energy, and active vitamin D can promote calcium absorption. When the diet is low in calcium or the body's demand for calcium increases, the intestines become immediately active and actively absorb calcium. Calcium absorption is closely related to age. The younger the age, the higher the calcium absorption rate. Iron absorption is also in the proximal small intestine. The characteristics of iron absorption are that it is affected by three feedback mechanisms. Intermittent, small-dose iron supplementation, plus some vitamin C and B2, will achieve twice the result with half the effort.

Secondly, try to eliminate factors that interfere with nutrient absorption. When different nutrients enter the body and are absorbed, they may interfere with each other. Therefore, to improve the efficiency of nutrient absorption, efforts should be made to eliminate interference from other factors during nutrient absorption. In the past, it was believed that high-phosphorus foods would affect the absorption and loss of calcium, so most advanced formula milk powders adjusted the calcium-phosphorus ratio to facilitate calcium retention. There is a strong competition between inorganic iron and inorganic zinc, and they interfere with each other's absorption. Calcium, iron, and zinc are all absorbed in the form of divalent ions. They will compete with each other during intestinal absorption, so it is best not to take them at the same time.

In addition, when supplementing calcium and iron nutrients, you should also pay attention to avoid the influence of certain dietary and drug factors. For example, vegetables high in oxalic acid and phytic acid will affect the absorption of minerals such as calcium and iron; dietary fiber, ethanol (alcohol), tetracycline, heparin and other drugs interfere with calcium absorption; when the body is in a state of stress, the synthesis of thyroid hormone and adrenal cortex hormone is also not conducive to calcium absorption. The phosvitin in egg yolk interferes with iron absorption; tea and coffee contain polyphenols, which are not conducive to iron absorption; antacids neutralize stomach acid and hinder iron absorption.

The trace elements needed by the human body include iron, iodine, zinc, selenium, copper, chromium, molybdenum, fluorine, cobalt, manganese, etc. When it comes to trace element deficiencies, most people still believe that they should take health supplements. Relevant online surveys show that after their children were found to be deficient in trace elements, 65.7% of parents chose to buy corresponding trace element supplements. In another survey, 41.46% of the respondents "regularly give their children nutritional supplements."

The bombardment of advertisements such as "If children don't eat, zinc supplementation is the key" and "Supplement calcium and zinc together to enhance absorption" have made people more determined to "supplement what is lacking". "I detected that my child was deficient in zinc and calcium, so I bought eight boxes of health supplements at once, spending several hundred dollars," said a parent. Many parents always believe that if they want their children to be healthy and develop well, they should take some health products or supplements.

Regarding the deficiency of trace elements in children, some experts suggest that there is no need to deliberately take health supplements, and ensuring a scientific diet structure is sufficient to absorb the necessary trace elements in children's bodies. Various foods are rich in trace elements, so generally paying attention to a reasonable diet can meet the needs of the human body. Therefore, efforts should be made to diversify the diet and appropriately add coarse grains and whole grains. In addition, children should not be picky eaters, nor should they have an excess of certain nutrients. Nutritional balance should be maintained. ,

The above is the editor’s advice to everyone. I believe you have understood it! How to improve children's trace elements.