CANTIKA.COM, Jakarta – Pediatrician, Kanya Ayu Paramastri said there are several challenges that children will experience in maintaining their immune system while undergoing Ramadan fasting. He said the consumption of children’s intake will be limited due to fasting, while the intensity of children’s activities is almost the same as normal days. Without balanced nutritional intake that contains sufficient micronutrients, the immune system can be affected so that children are at risk of breaking their fast, and can even fall ill. It also reminds the importance of vitamin C for children in order to maintain endurance.
“To anticipate disturbances in intake adequacy during fasting, in addition to protein, complex carbohydrates and fruit, children also need additional supplementation, especially vitamin C as an essential micronutrient for children,” said Kanya Redoxon Kids Media Launch on Monday, April 4, 2022. .
Vitamin C is one of the essential micronutrients that affect children’s immunity. Vitamin C functions to support the immune system by increasing the activity of white blood cell function and antibody production. Lack of vitamin C makes children more susceptible to infection. These babies may experience coughs and colds, inhibition of collagen formation which causes growth disorders, slow wound healing, to cause symptoms of scurvy (feeling tired and weak all the time, loss of appetite, irritability and grumpy). Vitamin C is also one of the main antioxidants that can prevent and repair DNA damage.
Kanya Ayu said that one of the studies stated that there was a lack of awareness of vitamin C nutrition in Asian and Latin American countries. “The number of deficiencies in vitamin C and trace elements such as zinc, selenium, iron, vitamins A and E, is increasing, even reaching alarming levels,” said Kanya Ayu.
Redoxon Kids Media Launch on Monday, April 4, 2022/Redoxon Kids
To overcome the problem of vitamin C deficiency, Kanya reminded parents to also focus on micronutrients, one of which is vitamin C to ensure body endurance good, so that the child can undergo fasting well. “One way is to set an example to eat more vegetables and fruit in front of the children. Later, the children will follow,” he said.
Medical Lead Bayer Consumer Health Riana Nirmala Wijaya said the immune system plays an important role in brain development and brain function in children. Lack of nutrients, one of which is essential micronutrients such as vitamin C, can lead to consequences in the form of susceptibility to infection, and even reduce Intelligence Quotients or IQ in later life. “Remember, the body is not able to produce vitamin C but obtains it through external intake. Therefore, in addition to consuming nutritious food, vitamin C adequacy in children needs to be supported with proper supplementation,” said Riana Nirmala Wijaya.
According to Riana, vitamin C is easily soluble in water and is not stored by the body. “That is, if the consumption exceeds the body’s needs, vitamin C will be excreted through urine,” said Riana.
Read: Vitamin C infusion is absorbed by the body faster than oral supplements
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