Why do infections reduce vitamins, causing fatigue and loss of appetite in children?

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1. The role of vitamins for children

Vitamins are micronutrients that are essential for the body. Although the body only needs a small amount of vitamins, if not provided with enough of these micronutrients, children will be susceptible to infectious diseases, the body's immune system will be reduced, children will suffer from anorexia and boredom. eat. The specific role of some vitamins in the body is as follows:
1.1. Vitamin A Vitamin A is also known as the “anti-infective vitamin” because it plays an important role in both cellular and humoral immunity. Accordingly, if young children are not supplemented with enough vitamin A requirements, they will be prone to malnutrition, infectious diseases and can lead to death.
The importance of this vitamin for the body's immune system is reflected in their role in the integrity of tissue cells. The body's ability to penetrate bacteria will be reduced, the exocrine gland will reduce secretion, epithelial cells will be hyperplastic, keratinized when vitamin A deficiency. In particular, vitamin A deficiency will lead to dry eye disease, causing dry eye disease. corneal flaking and possibly blindness.
1.2. Vitamin E Vitamin E is one of the most important fat-soluble micronutrients for the body. They are involved in the protection of fats in the brain from free radicals, especially EPA and omega-3 DHA, which are concentrated mainly in nerve cells.
Research from scientists shows that an existing form of vitamin E, tocotrienols, participates in an important neuroprotective cycle, they help block inflammatory signals that destroy brain cells. In addition, vitamin E also plays a role in preventing cancer and protecting the heart. Eating foods rich in tocopherols has been shown to be effective in preventing cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease.
1.3. B vitamins Group B vitamins are found in cereals, bran, wheat, legumes.. and play an important role in the development and immune system of the body. Among the B vitamins, pyridoxine (vitamin B6) and folate (vitamin B9) play the most important role.
The body lacks vitamin B9, which slows down the cell synthesis of the immune system. In young children, folate deficiency is often accompanied by iron deficiency and these are two factors that contribute to nutritional anemia. Vitamin B6 plays an important role in the body's immune system, including cell-mediated immunity or humoral immunity. Therefore, infectious conditions reduce vitamins and minerals, weaken the immune system and the body's resistance.

1.4. Vitamin C Vitamin C or ascorbic acid in the body has a role to help the normal development of connective tissues such as teeth, bones, cartilage and helps the stability of capillaries. Infectious conditions that deplete vitamin C lead to increased vascular permeability, fragility of the vessel wall, and dry, rough skin. Vitamin C is a strong antioxidant, so it plays an important role in helping to strengthen the immune system in general and fight flu infections, improve cardiovascular function, and support the harmony of the kidney, bone and respiratory systems.
Research by scientists shows that this vitamin is concentrated in high concentrations in white blood cells, thereby supporting the destruction of bacteria caused by diphtheria. The body's need for vitamin C increases in infections, fever, inflammation, iron deficiency, surgery... Vitamin C deficiency if prolonged, the body will have non-specific symptoms such as depression weakness, fatigue, joint pain, muscle pain... Along with that, the connective tissues are affected leading to cystic keratinization, swollen and bleeding gums, curly hair, spontaneous bleeding...

2. Why does infection reduce vitamin levels, causing fatigue and loss of appetite in children?

Infections reduce the body's amount of vitamins and minerals. Research from scientists shows that the attack of infections weakens the immune system of children's bodies, including vitamins and minerals. The lack of vitamins makes the baby tired, anorexia and anorexia.
However, besides that, many vitamins have been studied to be effective in repelling infections, such as vitamin C to help prevent and treat sepsis...

3. The role of vitamin C in the treatment of sepsis

3.1. What is sepsis? Sepsis is a very serious bacterial infection that arises from a systemic inflammatory response caused by the body. Sepsis causes the body's immune system to engage in an excessive chemical reaction that leads to inflammation in various parts of the body, killing healthy cells, tissues and organs. strength of the body.
This condition reduces the amount of oxygen delivered to the body's cells and increases the amount of toxins in the blood. Patients with sepsis are more likely to form blood clots that cause strokes, and the excessive inflammation triggered by the infection can damage organs and lead to organ failure.

3.2. The role of vitamin C in the prevention and treatment of sepsis As is known, vitamin C is a micronutrient that plays a role in increasing vascular strength, they act as an antioxidant by reducing reactive oxygen species. (ROS) and regenerate other ROS, thereby helping to minimize damage to endothelial cells under hypoxic conditions in sepsis patients.
The scientists' study was done by intravenous injection of vitamin C in patients with severe sepsis. The results of the study showed that these patients had reduced organ dysfunction caused by sepsis.
Vitamin C reduces inflammatory conditions in patients with sepsis and prevents oxidation, prevents the formation of blood clots, increases the amount of nitric oxide in the body. In particular, nitric oxide plays a role in the process of bringing oxygen and nutrients to the body's organs.
Based on its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory role, vitamin C is highly effective in the prevention and treatment of sepsis and other infectious conditions. However, infections reduce the amount of vitamin C in the body, so it is essential to get this vitamin through both food sources and supplements.
In summary, vitamins and minerals are micronutrients that play an important role in the body's immune system. Children, especially children, have immature immune systems and are prone to infections. An infection reduces your baby's vitamins and minerals. Therefore, parents need to supplement their children with adequate nutrients through diet and supplements, and mothers need to pay attention to adding necessary micronutrients for their baby such as: acerola fruit extract (vitamins). C), selenium, zinc, chromium, Vitamins B1 and B6, Ginger, ... to help your baby eat well, improve taste, reach the right height and weight, and exceed the standard, good immune system, enhance resistance for less sickness and less digestive problems.
Parents also need to note that the supplementation of nutrients, vitamins and minerals for children takes place for a long time, so it is recommended that parents be patient and calm when supplementing with substances for their children, either orally or through other methods. functional foods (TPCN). Especially when supplementing vitamins and minerals through dietary supplements, it is advisable to choose foods of natural origin for easy absorption, mothers should not use many types or continuously change the types of functional foods. give good results.
In addition, in order to prevent diseases that young children are susceptible to, parents should pay attention to a diet to improve children's resistance. At the same time, add supporting foods containing lysine, essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as zinc, chromium, selenium, B vitamins,... snacks and less digestive problems.
Parents can learn more:
Why do you need to supplement Lysine for your baby?
The role of zinc - Guidelines for reasonable zinc supplementation
Please visit the website Vinmec.com regularly and update useful information to take care of your baby and family.