Trace elements affect children's health

Trace elements are an indispensable part of maintaining the normal activities of our life, and each element will affect our health. Although trace elements occupy a relatively small proportion in children's bodies, they can directly affect whether children can grow up healthily. What symptoms will appear if children lack trace elements? What role does each element play? Let us now understand the relationship between trace elements such as iron, zinc, iodine, selenium, copper, chromium, cobalt, manganese, molybdenum, fluorine, lead and mercury and children's health.

Iron is the trace element that the human body requires in the largest amount. Adults need iron, and children also need iron. An adult's total body iron content is about 3 to 5 grams, of which 70 to 80% is in the form of hemoglobin and exists in red blood cells, and about 10% is distributed in muscles and other cells as a component of myoglobin and iron-containing enzymes. Another part is called reserve iron, which is stored in the spleen, liver, bone marrow, intestines and placenta, accounting for about 15-20% of the total. The important role of iron in the human body is irreplaceable, and parents should pay attention to their children's daily iron intake.

Zinc is a trace element with a higher requirement after iron. It is a component of more than 200 zinc-containing enzymes and an enzyme activator. Zinc finger proteins, with zinc as the main member, play an important role in nucleic acid metabolism and protein synthesis. Infants need 3 to 5 mg of zinc per day, and children aged 1 to 10 years old need 5 to 10 mg of zinc per day. Insufficient zinc supply in infants and young children affects their growth and intellectual development, as well as their taste and immune function. Zinc deficiency is the main cause of anorexia. For the sake of children's intelligence and immunity to disease, zinc supplementation is urgent.

Calcium is indeed very important in the human body. Calcium is an important component of bones and teeth, and is particularly important for maintaining the excitability of muscles and nervous systems. It maintains heart rhythm, participates in the coagulation process, and is also the second messenger in cells, participating in signal transduction. The activity of many enzymes in the body cannot be separated from calcium. Children, especially infants, are prone to calcium deficiency due to various reasons.

We are all familiar with iodine. Some common goiter diseases are caused by iodine deficiency. The main function of iodine in the body is to participate in the synthesis of thyroid hormone. Iodine deficiency can lead to hyperthyroidism. Coastal areas are less likely to suffer from iodine deficiency because they can get iodine from their diets by eating seafood. However, in inland areas, because food and drinking water are mostly iodine-deficient, adults with long-term iodine deficiency are prone to endemic goiter, and children are prone to cretinism, mental retardation, hearing impairment, and often physical growth retardation.

Copper is also vital to the human body. We cannot live without copper in every aspect of our lives. It is a unique and extremely effective catalyst in biological systems. Copper is the active ingredient of more than 30 enzymes and plays an important regulatory role in human metabolism. Due to the dietary structure of Chinese people, copper deficiency is rarely found clinically. However, some premature infants who are improperly fed may be at risk of copper deficiency, which may damage the maturation of brain cells.

In addition to the well-known trace elements mentioned above, there are some necessary elements that parents should also understand. Chromium is an essential element and is also necessary for maintaining normal cholesterol in the metabolism of sugar or fat involving insulin. Cobalt is an essential component of the vitamin B12 molecule, which is required for the formation of red blood cells. When cobalt is deficient, megaloblastic anemia, also known as pernicious anemia, will occur, which will affect the intellectual development of children. Manganese is involved in many enzyme-catalyzed reactions, which can promote bone growth and development, protect the integrity of granules in cells, maintain normal brain function, maintain normal sugar metabolism and fat metabolism, and improve the body's hematopoietic function. Manganese deficiency can cause neurasthenia syndrome and affect intellectual development. Manganese deficiency will also lead to reduced insulin synthesis and secretion, affecting glucose metabolism. Molybdenum is a component of an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of purines into uric acid. Molybdenum is also necessary for energy exchange processes. Trace amounts of molybdenum are a component of eye pigment. Selenium, as a component of glutathione peroxidase, has antioxidant effects, immune regulation and anti-tumor effects. Selenium deficiency, also known as Keshan disease, is a nutritional metabolic disease characterized by degenerative changes in skeletal muscle, myocardium and liver caused by selenium deficiency. Fluoride is a trace element necessary for forming strong bones and preventing tooth decay. Fluoride deficiency in children affects the growth of teeth and makes them prone to tooth decay, while excessive fluoride causes fluorosis and dental fluorosis.

Another trace element that must be mentioned is lead. Many children today have lead abnormalities. Lead is a heavy metal and a harmful trace element. It accumulates in the human body and can be passed from the mother to the fetus and infant through the placenta and breast milk. When the accumulation exceeds a certain amount, it will be toxic to the growth and development of children. Of particular concern is its impact on the development of the children's nervous system. The task of removing lead is a daily task for many parents.

Trace elements directly affect children's development. We hope that parents can pay attention to the importance of trace elements in daily life, prepare balanced food for their babies, and let every child have a healthy body.