Reasons to supplement calcium for children

Reasonable calcium supplementation helps children reduce the risk of malnutrition and growth retardation, contributing to promoting physical and mental health.

Calcium is important for children's health, proven to play a role in stabilizing circulation, supporting muscle movement, supporting nerves between the brain and body systems, helping blood circulate when the vessels relax. and contract, releasing hormones and enzymes that support body functions. It is the most abundant mineral in the body, 99% of calcium is stored in bones and teeth. Therefore, adequate calcium supplementation for children from a young age helps them maintain strong bones and teeth, promote height development, and avoid physical and mental effects later on.

Children with calcium deficiency can be stunted in height growth, affected by other health consequences such as rickets, bone deformities, malnutrition, neurological disorders, muscle convulsions, and birth defects. In some cases, calcium deficiency also leads to a weakened immune system, increasing the risk of osteoporosis in adulthood.

Tall children are the dream of many parents. Photo: Freepik

Calcium deficiency occurs due to many reasons: children are not exclusively breastfed in the first 6 months, babies eat solid foods too early or food is not suitable and do not get regular sunbathing, leading to vitamin D deficiency, which interferes with the growth of calcium. the body's process of absorbing calcium...

Children's calcium needs are also different depending on their condition and age. Specifically, children 0-5 months need about 300 mg per day, 6-11 months need 400 mg per day, while 1-3 year olds need about 500 mg per day, older children need more. gradually increasing calcium... Parents can help their children supplement calcium in many ways, here are some ways:

For babies to drink milk : On average, every 100g of breast milk will provide about 32mg of calcium for babies. Therefore, infants and children under 2 years of age need to be breastfed regularly. If breast milk is not enough, adults can give formula milk. Parents should choose the right type of milk for the age of the child as well as carefully consider the ingredients in the milk. This helps increase calcium absorption, ensuring adequate intake of other essential nutrients.

Increase calcium-rich foods : Parents can add other calcium-rich foods such as milk and dairy products, dark green vegetables including spinach, kale, amaranth..., legumes and nuts, seafood, egg yolks, orange juice...

Use more health supplements : The amount of calcium in daily food may not be enough to meet the needs of children. Therefore, parents can supplement calcium for children through supplements. However, it is advisable to consult a nutritionist for exact instructions.