Immunity is a special system of the body, the main task of which is the timely detection and protection of a person from pathogenic microbes and viruses. Many parents often wonder whether or not vitamins are needed for immunity for children, or if a child can get all the useful substances from food. Consider this topic from a medical point of view.
Vitamins for immunity for children: signs of vitamin deficiency
For the immune system to work smoothly and fully, it just needs all the nutrients and vitamins as well. With a meager diet, a child may not receive even half of the necessary microparticles, which, of course, will not be well reflected in the state of his immunity and overall health.
Before you consider what vitamins should be given to children, it is important to note that a deficiency of nutrients can be detected not only by donating blood for analysis, but also with characteristic signs of a vitamin deficiency in a child. These are:
1. Anemia, depressed mood and severe weakness - this is a clear sign of a lack of vitamin B.
2. Tongues in the tongue, cracks in the lips and strong eye sensitivity to light indicate a lack of vitamin B2.
3. Fragility of nails and hair, as well as dry skin indicates an acute shortage of vitamin F and A.
4. Lack of appetite, bleeding gums and pallor can indicate a lack of vitamin C. Also in this condition, the child may experience slow healing of wounds and a tendency to colds.
As can be understood from the above, with a lack of vitamin, the child’s body suffers. In this condition, the baby is more susceptible to various diseases and it is more difficult for him to deal with them.
It is proved that even a common cold with vitamin deficiency proceeds much more complicated and longer. Moreover, due to the inability to resist the disease, a baby can develop dangerous complications.
Vitamins for immunity for children: what to take
Not everyone knows what vitamins for immunity children need to take. Allocate the following list of vitamins that will provide good health and protective forces to the child:
1. Vitamin A. It will protect the child from most infectious diseases and have a beneficial effect on visual function. Most vitamin A is found in carrots and juice from it, pumpkin and liver.
2. Vitamin B2 helps to nourish the body with oxygen at the cellular level and reduces the likelihood of toxic effects. It is found in proteins, cereals and meat products.
3. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that prevents the destruction of immune cells. It is found in nuts, cereals and seeds.
4. Vitamin C is needed like no other for immunity. It effectively strengthens the body's defenses and quickly boosts the immune system. This substance is contained in citrus fruits, herbs and berries (currants).
5. Iron helps increase hemoglobin levels and saturates cells with oxygen. Most iron in red meat, beets, apples and legumes.
6. Magnesium is directly involved in many body functions. It is found in green vegetables and nuts.
7. Calcium is a substance that improves bone structure. It is found in cottage cheese, yogurt, milk and kefir.
It should be noted that not only a balanced diet can affect the state of immunity of a child, but also a lifestyle. For example, frequent stresses, lack of exercise and poor sleep can also cause a sharp deterioration in the immune system. Moreover, with prolonged antibiotic treatment, the body's defenses can quickly be depleted, making the baby even more vulnerable.
According to studies, most often vitamin deficiency is observed in children aged eight to fifteen years. To enrich the child’s body with all the necessary useful substances, most pediatricians advise giving the young body full vitamin complexes containing the entire “set” of necessary substances.
For children, only children's vitamins should be used. With their help, you can completely replenish the daily norm of useful substances that the child does not receive from food.
For children under two years of age, liquid vitamins should be used.
For children from two years old, pharmacies offer a wider range of vitamins in the form of chewing sweets, marmalade and funny jelly beasts.
Children from five years old are allowed to give vitamins in the form of tablets and lozenges.
Vitamin preparations themselves can be different and include several components. The traditional composition is vitamin A, C and E. Additionally, the preparation may also include magnesium, calcium and other components.
Moreover, modern vitamins often contain minerals that contribute to better absorption of the drug. Also, some manufacturers add macroelements and extracts of medicinal plants to their products. All this must be considered when selecting a specific vitamin complex for a child.
Such vitamins are allocated to children to increase immunity (in the form of complex preparations):
1. Pikovit. This drug has several varieties that are selected based on the age of the child. Thanks to several forms, such a tool can be used to strengthen immunity in children of different age categories.
In its composition, Pikovit contains nine vitamins and a mineral, with which you can quickly strengthen the immune system.
Indications for the use of Pikovit are loss of appetite, overwork of the child, an unbalanced diet, vitamin deficiency and past illnesses.
Pikovit is forbidden with individual intolerance to the substances of the drug and diabetes.
2. Kinder Biovital is a preparation rich in vitamins and macronutrients. It is used to increase immunity with a poor diet and suppression of the body's defenses due to illness.
3. Vitrum Kids contains twelve vitamins. It helps to improve immunity, memory and vision. Enriches an organism with all necessary useful substances.
How to take vitamins for immunity for children: doctor's advice
In order to correctly and effectively increase the child’s immunity with vitamins, it is important to follow the following doctor’s recommendations:
1. It is best to give vitamins to a child in spring and autumn, when the diet is not so full of fresh fruits and vegetables, and there are outbreaks of colds on the street. With the timely initiation of vitamin therapy, parents can protect the child from prolonged respiratory diseases.
2. Vitamins are recommended for those children who have recently received antibiotic therapy, had strong emotional or physical overload. Also, those children who live in adverse environmental conditions need additional support with useful substances.
3. Due to the fact that the child’s body can react differently to the vitamins taken, parents must coordinate their actions with the supervising pediatrician. Self-medication, as well as unauthorized administration of vitamin complexes, can be dangerous for the health of the child (especially if the baby suffers from allergies and is prone to allergic reactions, suffers from asthma or other chronic diseases).
4. Vitamin complexes are best given to the child after eating in the morning or afternoon. So they better digest. It should also be remembered that some vitamins are exclusively fat-soluble, so they must be taken with oils.
5. Hypervitaminosis is as dangerous as vitamin deficiency. As a result, you need to give your child the exact dosage of the drug, not exceeding it. Otherwise, the baby may develop a severe allergic reaction.
6. You need to preserve vitamins in a dry and dark place, away from children’s access, because kids may like the taste of these pills and they themselves will use their large dose unnoticed by their parents.
7. For very young children, it is better to use vitamins in the form of sweet syrup or drops. For older children, gelatin capsules and tablets are suitable.
8. If, after taking vitamins, the child has broken stools, a rash, vomiting, or other dangerous signs, then this drug should be discontinued.
9. The dosage and method of taking vitamin preparations should be selected for each child individually.
10. Before giving the baby this or that drug with vitamins, you need to carefully read its instructions and check the expiration date.
