What time of day should children take zinc?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Phan Ngoc Hai - Pediatrician - Neonatologist - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital

Should give children zinc at any time of the day is probably a concern of many parents. The correct zinc supplementation for children will help them develop comprehensively in terms of physical aspects such as weight, physique and skeleton. In addition, giving children zinc at a reasonable time also helps to avoid unwanted side effects that may occur.

1. The link between zinc and child development

Zinc is a mineral that plays an extremely important role in the development of children's bodies. Zinc is present in many foods naturally in the daily diet or in some supplements. Additionally, you can also find zinc in some over-the-counter medicines used to treat diarrhea or colds.
Zinc is closely related to many metabolic activities of cells in the child's body. It is thought to catalyze about 100 enzymes and holds many other important functions for the immune system, DNA synthesis, protein synthesis, wound healing, and cell division.
Besides, the correct zinc supplementation for children also effectively supports the healthy growth and development of fetuses, infants, children and adolescents. Experts recommend that each person should focus on getting enough zinc every day to be able to maintain the most stable state for the body.
So when should you give your child zinc, morning or evening? And how much zinc should be given to children?

2. The need to supplement zinc for the young body

Many parents wonder how much zinc should be supplemented for children is enough and safe? According to nutrition experts, the daily need for zinc supplementation for the child's body will depend on the age and stage of development of the children:
Infants from 7 to 12 months old: Need to receive 3 mg/day Children 1 - 3 years: Should receive 3 mg/day Children 4 - 8 years: Should receive 5 mg/day Children 9 - 13 years: Should receive 8 mg/day Children 14 - 18 years: Need to get 11kg/day for men and 8mg/day for women.

3. What time of day should children be supplemented with zinc?

Should supplement zinc for children when is reasonable, or should give children zinc in the morning or evening are frequently asked questions of parents.
You should not give children zinc when they are hungry, because it can cause digestive disorders. Therefore, the most appropriate time to supplement zinc for children is one hour before eating or 2 hours after eating. Ideally, foods that provide zinc for children should be taken in the morning. For children with stomach pain, zinc should be taken with meals to avoid irritating the pain.
When should children take zinc? Zinc should also not be used with other minerals such as calcium, iron and magnesium. If you give them all on the same day, leave each dose for each mineral at least 2 hours apart. Magnesium and calcium should be taken in the evening with meals and at bedtime. For iron supplements for children, you should give them to children on an empty stomach and away from the time of taking other vitamins.

4. Abundant sources of zinc supplements for young bodies

If the information above has answered your question about what time of day to give zinc to children, here are some other notes on how to supplement with important trace minerals. This is important for the young body.
Some good sources of zinc supplements for children can include:
Daily foods: Zinc is present in many different foods, especially oysters. In addition, poultry and red meat also contain large amounts of zinc. You can also choose some other zinc-rich food sources for your baby such as whole grains, crab, shrimp, dairy products, beans and nuts. Supplements: Currently on the market, there are many types of functional foods containing zinc salts, such as zinc sulfate, zinc gluconate and zinc acetate, which are very good for the development of the child's body. Other sources: Zinc is also found in homeopathic products or some nasal spray preparations. However, you should not let children abuse these products for a long time, because it can cause loss of smell. It is best to refer to other sources of zinc that are safer for babies to avoid poisoning when used for a long time.

5. What should I do when I miss a dose of zinc supplements for my baby?

Besides considering giving children zinc in the morning or evening or when to give zinc to children, parents should also pay attention to some cases of missed doses of zinc supplements for children. For this situation, what do you need to do to not affect the child's zinc intake?
If your child has missed a dose of zinc supplements, you should give them to him as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for the next dose of zinc, parents should skip the missed dose and return to the usual supplement schedule to avoid doubling the dose resulting in an overdose.
In case your child misses a dose of zinc supplements for one or more days, you should not be too worried because it takes a long enough time for the child's body to become seriously deficient in zinc. However, if a dietitian has recommended that you give your child a zinc supplement when and how much, you should try to give your child exactly as directed each day.

6. Some things to keep in mind when supplementing with zinc for children

When zinc is combined with certain other foods, it may not be as efficiently absorbed into the body and cause side effects that negatively impact a child's overall health. Whether you give your child zinc in the morning or at night, you should avoid giving your baby the following foods for 2 hours after taking zinc, including:
High-fiber foods Bran Bread Whole grains Foods foods high in phosphorus, such as poultry or milk. Also, avoid giving your baby zinc, iron, copper and phosphorus supplements at the same time. Ideally, you should leave doses about 2 hours apart before giving them to your baby to get the most complete health benefits of these minerals.

7. Some side effects may occur when supplementing with zinc for children

It is very important to consider giving zinc to children at what time of day, because it can limit some unwanted side effects for children.
Any dietary supplement, including zinc supplements, can cause certain side effects in children. In some cases, they can cause medical conditions that require urgent care.
You should see a doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare side effects such as chills, fever, heartburn, mouth/throat sores, nausea, indigestion, sore throat, unusual tiredness or weakness. Symptoms of zinc overdose such as dizziness, chest tightness, vomiting, fainting, trouble breathing, yellowing of the skin or eyes. Along with Zinc, parents should supplement their children with supporting products containing lysine, other essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as chromium, selenium, and B vitamins to help fully meet the nutritional needs of children. Parents can also apply dietary supplements and functional foods derived from nature for easy absorption by the baby.
Parents, please regularly visit the website vimec.com to update useful baby care information.