Zinc requirements of children from 1-3 years old as recommended by the Institute of Nutrition

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Zinc is an important mineral for the growth of the body. Without zinc, many essential functions will not be maintained, affecting the health and development of young children. To ensure that they provide the necessary amount of zinc for their children from 1-3 years of age, parents need to know the children's zinc needs and specific health conditions.

1. What is the role of zinc in the body?

Zinc is an important micronutrient in many biological functions of the body and is required for the functioning of more than 300 enzymes in the human body.
Zinc plays an important role in cell growth and division. Zinc is especially important for pregnant women, the development of the fetus, zinc is essential for cells that are in the process of rapid development. Zinc is essential in stimulating growth in height, weight and bone development in infants, children and adolescents. Zinc plays a role in reproductive function. For men, zinc helps to maintain sperm count and motility, while maintaining normal serum testosterone levels. Zinc also plays an important role in the immune system, helping the body strengthen resistance and fight infections. Zinc is also involved in the regulation of taste and appetite.

2. What is the daily requirement of zinc for children from 1 to 3 years old?

Zinc requirements are determined based on the age group, sex, physiological status of the child and the biological value of zinc in the diet. Specifically, zinc requirements in children from 1 to 3 years old are as follows:
With good absorption: 2.4 mg/day. Good absorption means good zinc biological value = 50% with diets high in animal or fish protein. With moderate absorption: 4.1 mg/day. Moderately absorbed means that the biological value of zinc is average = 30% in a diet containing moderate animal or fish protein. With poor absorption: 8.4 mg/day. Poor absorption means low biological value of zinc = 15% with diets with little or no animal or fish protein. Thus, children need to supplement zinc through diet or substitute products such as functional foods, drugs, because the diet will not provide enough zinc for children.

3. Zinc-related pathology

3. 1. Diseases caused by zinc deficiency Zinc deficiency in humans is quite rare, but does not mean that there is no. Because zinc is involved in many important metabolisms in the body, the symptoms and syndromes caused by mild zinc deficiency are varied and highly variable. Basic but nonspecific symptoms and syndromes of zinc deficiency include:
Growth retardation Hair loss Diarrhea Delayed sexual maturation and loss of fertility Skin and eye damage Decreased appetite 3 2. The pathology of zinc excess Currently, there is no evidence to suggest adverse effects from excess consumption of zinc from natural foods. Adverse effects associated with long-term dietary zinc supplementation include suppression of the immune system, decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and decreased copper. Other possible side effects of excess zinc supplementation include:
Acute effects: Includes epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, cramps, headache and diarrhea. Zinc supplementation at doses of 225-450 mg has been shown to induce vomiting. Gastrointestinal symptoms have been reported with zinc supplementation at doses of 50-150 mg/day. Impaired Immune Function: When using 300mg/day zinc supplement for 6 weeks can cause impaired immune function.

4. How to meet children's zinc needs?

4. 1. Diversify meals It is necessary to combine a variety of foods from the 4 main food groups in daily meals. The diet should provide enough energy and nutrients including zinc. Breastfeeding and appropriate complementary feeding are the best ways to prevent zinc deficiency in young children. Enhance zinc absorption in young children by using foods rich in vitamin C such as green vegetables and fruits. You should use processing methods such as sprouting (bean sprouts), fermenting (pickles...) because these processes increase vitamin C content and reduce phytic acid in food thereby increasing absorption. zinc from the diet. Promote and support breastfeeding: Mothers should breastfeed within the first half hour after birth and exclusively breastfeed until 6 months of age and continue to breastfeed for up to 24 months. You should use zinc-rich foods, including: Animal foods such as oysters, dungeness crab, shrimp, beef, meat, fish. These foods do not contain zinc absorption inhibitors. Take zinc supplements by mouth as directed by a healthcare professional.

4.2. Prevent and treat related diseases to help prevent zinc deficiency Immunize children on time to prevent infections such as measles, whooping cough, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis . Children 2 years of age and older need to be dewormed every 6 months. You need to monitor your child's growth and development. 4.3. Prevention of zinc deficiency by taking zinc supplements The doctor will prescribe a dose of oral zinc supplement to prevent zinc deficiency for subjects at risk of zinc deficiency.
Children from 7 months to 3 years old: Should add 5mg of elemental zinc/day. Children from 4 to 13 years old: Should add 10mg of elemental zinc/day. Adults: Should supplement with elemental zinc 15mg/day. Pregnant women need to be supplemented with 15-25mg of elemental zinc/day. Zinc supplements can be used in batches from a few weeks to a few months, zinc supplementation is necessary for:
Children with poor appetite, children with slow weight gain. Children are not breastfed. Babies born prematurely with low birth weight, or with fetal malnutrition. Pregnant women. In summary, in addition to supplementing zinc through daily foods, parents should also actively use the necessary micronutrients: Zinc, selenium, chromium, vitamins B1 and B6, Ginger, acerola fruit extract (vitamin C),... to improve taste, eat well, reach the right height and weight, and exceed standards, have a good immune system, enhance resistance to less sickness and less digestive problems .
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