How long should children take zinc supplements?

For children, they should pay attention to zinc supplementation from infancy, because children grow and develop faster during this period and have higher requirements for zinc. To a certain extent, some trace elements can determine whether a child develops well. Children will have different zinc supplementation requirements at different stages of growth and development. Until the child reaches 18 years old, generally speaking, there is no need for targeted supplementation.

How long should children take zinc supplements?

The requirement for zinc varies for different age groups. Infants aged 0-6 months only need 1.5 mg of zinc per day, and infants aged 7-12 months need 8 mg. Then, the demand for zinc increases slowly with age, reaching a maximum amount of 19 mg at the age of 14-18 years. Once you are over 18, your body's need for zinc decreases and only 11.5 mg per day is enough.

Zinc supplementation is a process, and only by taking it consistently can you see a good effect. Zinc supplements are generally used as supplements, and the amount should be enough for 3-4 months.

What are the methods for zinc supplementation for babies?

1. Different people have different needs

The Chinese Nutrition Society recommends the following daily zinc requirements: 3 mg for infants from birth to 6 months old; 5 mg for infants from 7 to 12 months old; 10 mg for children aged 1 to 3 years old; 20 mg for pregnant women; 20 mg for nursing mothers; and 10-15 mg for normal adults.

2. Infants rely on breast milk for zinc supplementation

Breastfeed your baby for at least 3 months, and then gradually switch to cow's milk or other milk substitutes. The absorption rate of zinc in breast milk is high, reaching 62%. In particular, colostrum is high in zinc, with an average concentration 4-7 times that of serum zinc.

3. Add zinc-containing foods after weaning

Such as beef, mutton, lean pork, animal liver, peanuts, soybeans, carrots, oysters, etc. According to measurements, the zinc content in animal foods is higher than that in plant foods, and the amino acids produced after the decomposition of animal protein can promote the absorption of zinc, with the absorption rate generally being around 50%. The zinc contained in plant foods can combine with plant acid and cellulose to form water-insoluble compounds, thereby hindering human absorption, with an absorption rate of only around 20%. Bottle-fed babies should start adding easily absorbed zinc-rich complementary foods from 4 months old: minced lean meat, egg yolks, fish paste, animal liver, oysters, peanut rice flour, walnut kernel powder, etc.

I believe we all know “how many days babies should take zinc supplements”. After reading this article, we will understand it very clearly. The lack of trace elements is a major obstacle to children's development, especially the lack of zinc. If a child is zinc deficient, not only will his immunity be low, but parents will also have to worry more. Therefore, parents should consider whether their baby needs zinc supplementation based on their child’s own situation.