/data/photo/2020/12/18/5fdc81575e17e.jpg "What are the Benefits of Vitamin C for Children? page all")
KOMPAS.com – In the growth period of pre-school and elementary school age children, children are also susceptible to infectious diseases. Therefore, it is important for parents to meet their nutritional needs, including food intake vitamin C.
It should be underlined, children are not small adults. Children are more susceptible to viral infections, including 2-3 times more frequent coughs and colds than adults.
The child’s immune system will be near perfect at the age of 8-10 years. For that, parents must create a strong immunity by providing adequate nutrition, including vitamin C.
At these ages, it is also the best moment to explore and learn new knowledge and positive experiences, one of which is to support children to learn to fast during Ramadan, but while still meeting their nutritional needs for a balanced period of time. children learn to fast.
“Challenges to children’s immune systems can be experienced during Ramadan fasting. Because the consumption of children’s intake is limited, while the intensity of activity is almost the same as normal days, “said pediatrician dr. Kanya Ayu Paramastri, Sp.A at the Redoxon Kids launch event held by PT Bayer Indonesia, Monday (4/4/2022).
According to him, without balanced nutritional intake that contains sufficient micronutrients, it can affect a child’s immune system.
Also read: 5 Very Important Benefits of Vitamin C, Can Overcome Diabetes
What the benefits of vitamin C for children?
Kanya explained that vitamin C is one of the essential micronutrients that have an effect on children’s immunity immune system through increased activity of white blood cell function and antibody production.
Vitamin C deficiency This causes children to be more susceptible to infections, including inhibition of collagen formation which causes growth disorders, slow wound healing, to cause symptoms of scurvy such as feeling tired and weak all the time, loss of appetite, irritability, and irritability.
In addition, the benefits of vitamin C for children is also one of the main antioxidants that can prevent and repair DNA damage.
Immune system The body plays an important role in brain development and brain function of children.
Lack of nutrients, one of which is microessential nutrients such as vitamin C, can lead to consequences in the form of susceptibility to infection, and even reduce Intelligence Quotients (IQ) in later life.
Also read: Rules for Consumption of Vitamin C According to Doctors
The body is not able to produce vitamin C and obtain it through the intake consumed.
When a child is sick, the levels of vitamin C in the blood and leukocytes decrease and make the body take longer to fight disease. Adequate intake of vitamin C increases the body’s ability to fight disease and children can recover faster.
The multivitamin supplementation if not met from the original food can be given, as follows:
- Age 1-3 years maximum 400 mg/day
- Age 4-8 years maximum 600 mg/day
- Ages 9-13 years maximum 1.2 grams/day
- Age 12-18 years maximum 1.8 grams/day
Immunity or child’s immunity
Child’s immunity-children are influenced by five things, as follows:
1. Good nutritional intake
This is by meeting the needs of carbohydrates, animal protein, fat, vegetable protein, vegetables and fruit.
Also read: Vitamin C Helps the Body’s Immunity, Who Needs It?
2. Good nutritional status
Parents can monitor periodically using the World Health Organization (WHO) and CDC plots.
3. Immunization status
Not only basic immunization, but can be given with recommended immunizations.
4. Sleep or rest time
Sleep needs for children vary according to age, as follows:
- Ages 4-12 months need 12-16 hours of rest
- 1-2 years old need 11-14 hours of rest
- 3-5 years old need 10-13 hours of rest
- Ages 6-12 years need 9-12 hours of rest
- 13-18 years old need 8-10 hours of rest
5. Play
Meanwhile, play becomes a child’s world, which is beneficial for stimulation, exploration, stimulates brain pathways, enhances moodas well as training development and independence.
Also read: Vitamin C deficiency has an impact on the body, calculate the adequacy of consumption
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