Supplementing with micronutrients to increase nutritional absorption in children

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Resident Doctor Ho Thi Hong Tho - Neonatologist - Pediatrics - Neonatology Department, Vinmec Phu Quoc International General Hospital

Reduced absorption of nutrients in children, causing children to be underweight, retarded in growth, susceptible to infections is a concern of many parents. Supplementing with micronutrients increases absorption in children, helps children eat better, digest better, be healthy and develop comprehensively.

1. What are micronutrients?

Micronutrients are substances that play a very important role even though the body only needs a very small amount, only in mcg to mg. Micronutrients include mineral elements (Calcium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, iodine, copper, selenium, ...) and vitamin groups (A, B, C, D, E...) .
Micronutrients help build and repair damaged cells and tissues, participate in cellular respiration, metabolism, and excretion. At the same time, micronutrients are also involved in the operation of many organs in the body, building the immune system, maintaining the balance of the homeostasis system, and are the main components for creating healthy cells. hormones, digestive juices. Micronutrients are essential for the physical and intellectual development of children.

2. Consequences of micronutrient deficiency

Lack of vitamins and minerals seriously affects the development of the body, especially children. Lack of micronutrients causes a decrease in the secretion of digestive enzymes, causing children to lose appetite, anorexia, digestive disorders, slow digestion of food; reduce nutritional absorption in children, causing malabsorption, slow weight gain, stunting, and weakness.
Diseases caused by micronutrient deficiency include:
Iron deficiency anemia. Children will have pale skin, be less active, lack concentration, or be sleepy and susceptible to infections. Rickets due to calcium and vitamin D deficiency. Children do not sleep well, sweat often, big head, slow teething, slow walking, deformed bones and joints. Iodine deficiency goiter is an enlarged thyroid gland caused by iodine deficiency. In addition, children also have physical and mental retardation. Zinc deficiency causes malnutrition and stunting. Zinc deficiency makes children anorexic, slow to grow, malnourished, reduce resistance, so they are prone to infections such as respiratory infections, diarrhea. Vitamin A deficiency and eye problems such as night blindness and corneal ulcers can lead to blindness.

3. How to supplement micronutrients to increase absorption in children

Because the body cannot synthesize micronutrients on its own, it must be provided from food, so supplementing micronutrients to increase absorption in children is essential. Supplements include:
A balanced diet, full of nutrients, suitable for the age and taste of the child. Divide into several small meals throughout the day with just the right amount of food. Avoid forcing children to eat too much at one meal, causing them to vomit and obsess with each meal. Treat the causes of malabsorption syndrome, such as supplementing with digestive enzymes, correcting intestinal microflora imbalance as well as treating liver, pancreatic, biliary or inflammatory bowel disease if present. Micronutrient supplements will help children eat more deliciously, eat more and stimulate the digestive system to produce enzymes. From there, children will better absorb essential nutrients for the body, actively support in height and weight growth, increase resistance. In addition to the nutritional diet, parents should supplement their children with supporting products containing lysine, essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as zinc, chromium, selenium, and B vitamins to help fully meet their nutritional needs. in children. At the same time, these essential vitamins also support digestion, enhance nutrient absorption, help improve anorexia, help children eat well, and develop comprehensively.
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