5 Signs Of Vitamin Deficiency In Kids
The fact that Vitamins are critical for your child’s development is no secret – they are one of the most crucial nutrients for healthy growth in kids. Vitamins can be effectively divided into two major categories – fat soluble and water soluble. Vitamins such as A, D, E and K are fat soluble, which means they are stored in the body for long periods of time1. On the flip side, water soluble Vitamins like B and C need to dissolve in water before the body can absorb them2. Because different types of foods provide different types of Vitamins, a well rounded diet is essential for promoting your kid’s growth and development.Routine Is The Key
Here Are Common Signs Of 5 Vitamin Deficiency In Kids:
1. Vitamin A3
A primary manifestation of the deficiency is in the form of xerophthalmia (or “dry eye”), comprising of night blindness and corneal/conjunctival xeroses, Bitot’s spots, and keratomalacia. Vitamin A deficiency may also lead to an increased risk of gastrointestinal as well as throat and chest infections.4 Delayed growth and bone development in children are also signs of Vitamin A deficiency. To counter it, feed your child liver meat, green leafy vegetable, milk, and eggs. Mild Vitamin A inadequacy can usually be treated without any long-term effects.
2. Vitamin B125
A Vitamin B12 deficiency in children presents itself through symptoms like anorexia, developmental delays, neurological problems, irritability, and weakness. Including foods like whole grains, nuts, fish and poultry in your child’s diet helps keep this deficiency at bay. A timely detection of this deficiency can prevent irreparable damage and improve your child’s physical development.
3. Vitamin C6
A Vitamin C deficiency may lead to scurvy which manifests itself in several different ways – easy bruising, swollen and bleeding gums, slow wound healing, and dry hair are some common symptoms. If your child displays any of the above, feed him at least two to three foods rich in Vitamin C such as guava, yellow bell pepper, kiwi, and broccoli on a daily basis.
4. Vitamin D7
Children need enough Vitamin D to form healthy bones and muscles through their growing years. Symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency might not always be obvious. Inadequate Vitamin D can increase your child’s susceptibility to cramps, general muscle weakness and bone fractures. Dental problems are yet another indication of Vitamin D deficiency in children. Fish, egg yolks, and grain products are some foods that are rich sources of Vitamin D.
5. Vitamin E8
A Vitamin E deficiency is not very common. It is usually the result of malnutrition and can cause neurological problems due to poor nerve condition. Low birth weight can result in this kind of deficiency. Common symptoms include muscle weakness, vision problems, numbness, difficulty in walking and tremors. Foods such as almonds, avocado, spinach and sweet potatoes are rich sources of Vitamin E.
It is thus imperative to monitor your child’s health and gradually improve it through ample physical activities like playing outdoor and exercising, and proper consumption of healthy food. Ensure that your child sleeps well and eats healthy, Vitamin-rich foods to promote overall health and well-being.
Ways To Develop Immunity In Children
Our kids are exposed to an array of germs and viruses; be it on the play area,1 the school or even at home. You cannot sterilise every place your kids go to, neither can you keep children from going out and playing. So, as a parent, how can you minimise the risks of infections? Ensuring that kids develop a stronger immunity naturally is one way to go about it. So, let us look at some healthy habits you may adopt to support your child’s immunity.
Encourage Exercise
Moderate exercise is believed to have a beneficial effect on natural killer cell system (interleukins).2It also enhances immune system through stress-reduction.3 Thus encouraging your kids to opt for age-appropriate exercise regularly will not only make them physically fit but will also support their immunity. It is widely accepted that long periods of very intensive exercise training may depress immunity; On the other hand, regular moderate intensity exercise is beneficial and thus as a parent it is important to adopt caution.4
Give Them Nutritious Diets
Nutrition plays a very important role in immune responses while malnutrition is considered the leading cause of immune-deficiency worldwide. Deficiencies of Vitamins A, C, E, B6 and Folate, are also associated with reduced immunity. Micronutrients such as Zinc, Selenium, Iron and Copper are also important in developing a healthy immune system.5 Thus, a properly balanced diet with all required nutrients is extremely important, especially in the growing years when the immune system is still maturing.
Inculcate Healthy Sleep Habits
Sleep is a restorative process that plays a critical role in the proper functioning of the immune system. Lack of proper sleep may lead to the weakening of immune system as well as increased susceptibility to infection.6 In fact, it has been shown that shorter than ideal sleeping duration is associated with increased incidence of the common cold.7 Certain immune system cells such as T cells and proinflammatory cytokines peak during the night.8 It is thus important to develop and follow a healthy and optimum sleep pattern for your children.
Kids are kids and they are going to do things their way. As parents, it becomes our responsibility to be vigilant about their health. Even with nutritious eating, they will be often fussy. To counter that, you can incorporate creative ways to introduce vegetables in their meal and even give them tasty drinks to meet the nutritional requirement. Remember, it is not possible to completely remove germs or infections from their lives, but we can help strengthen their immune system through keeping some small but important things in mind
Best Foods With Calcium For Kids
Your child’s diet plays a crucial role in his/her development. An important component of this diet is Calcium. Calcium is widely known to be associated with the formation and maintenance of bones, especially in growing kids. Over 99% of body’s Calcium is found in bones and teeth. Calcium is also an important and indispensable micronutrient for muscle function, nerve transmission and hormonal secretion.1 Inadequate intake of Calcium can keep your child from attaining peak bone mass, make their bones weak and lead to problems like Osteoporosis later in life.2 Hence, including Calcium-rich foods in your child’s diet is imperative.
Here Are Some Of The Best-Known Sources Of Calcium For Children:
Milk And Dairy Products3
Dairy products, especially milk, are good sources of Calcium besides being good sources of proteins, Vitamins A and D as well. Milk is the number one source of Calcium in the diets of children aged 2 to 18. Regular intake increases mineral content and bone mineral density. In addition to building healthy bones, consuming milk, cheese, and yogurt lowers blood pressure, boosts immunity, and reduces the risk of diabetes.
Millets4
Millets are considered superior to cereals when it comes to some nutrients they contain. There are a variety of millets available such as Pearl, Kodo, Foxtail, Proso, Barnyard etc. Finger millets are a rich source of Calcium with 300 to 350mg of the mineral per 100g, and can be included in your child’s diet to promote healthy bone development.
Nuts5
If your child doesn’t like milk and other dairy products, tree nuts can be a good alternative since they are rich in Calcium. Some nuts to include in your kid’s diet are almonds, cashew nuts, and walnuts. Almonds contain 248 mg Calcium per 100g, cashew nuts contain 37mg/100g, and walnuts contain 98mg/100g.
Chickpea
Originally cultivated in the Middle East and the Mediterranean, chickpeas come with a wide range of health benefits. Chickpeas are a good source of Calcium, Proteins, Carbohydrates and Fiber.6 Calcium, along with Iron, Phosphate, and Zinc, found in chickpeas contribute to building and maintaining bone structure and strength. Chickpeas contain 49mg of Calcium per 100g.7
Meat8
If your child happens to be non-vegetarian, what better way to strengthen his/her bones and include a fair dose of Calcium in the diet? Several types of meat contain Calcium in varying amounts. Red meat, chicken, smoked salmon, shrimp, trout, herring, and several other types of meat are rich in Calcium. Sardines (canned in oil) contain 324mg of Calcium per 100g, whereas salmon contains 181mg/100g.9
While it remains an essential nutrient at various stages in life, kids need Calcium the most because of their rapidly developing bone structure. You might think that giving a glass of milk would be enough to meet the needs but it’s not.10 Thus, adding Horlicks can help you bridge the gap between the requirement and the consumption of Calcium in your kid.
https://www.horlicks.in/in/en/articles/foods-calcium-for-kids.html
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