Probiotics, Zinc and Iron: The Complete Trilogy in Strengthening Children's Immunity!
Proper nutrition, comprehensive of all nutrients, is usually associated with healthy growth and strong immunity, and among the important elements in strengthening children's immunity, which has been praised by research: probiotics, zinc, and iron!
It has always been associated in our minds that people who live in poor places, who usually suffer from malnutrition, are more susceptible to infectious diseases.
This is due to the effect of a lack of some nutrients on the immune system and its work. This is true, as some studies have shown that the lack of some nutrients has a clear effect on the work of various immune system cells, such as T cells and macrophages in the body, and reduces the production of some antibodies. Hence the importance of eating some elements for the body and for the young before the adults.If you are interested in the health of your children and are looking for natural and optimal ways to strengthen their immunity, we at Web Medicine will provide you with the most famous nutrients that have been proven effective and efficient in strengthening and enhancing children's immunity!
Probiotics, iron, and zinc, an integrated trio of nutrients that will form a protective shield for your child against various diseases, and will enhance his growth and health, and here are the details about each of them separately:
Probiotics to strengthen children's immunity:
Probiotics are defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), as microorganisms that, when ingested in sufficient quantities, provide a health benefit to the host. Probiotics are present in the human digestive canal, specifically in the large intestine, and it was found that if they are present in sufficient quantities, they will help to enhance the body’s immunity, and provide many health benefits to it. Intestines, which will replace harmful microbes, modify the environment in the intestines and make it more healthy. The benefits of probiotics have appeared since the past centuries, specifically through the benefit that was provided by fermented milk, and as for modern science, it has supported and shown more of its benefits, through the various studies and research conducted on it, and perhaps the most prominent of which is related to children’s immunity and health.
The importance and benefits of probiotics for children are demonstrated through the following:
- Prevention and treatment of diarrhea in children and reduce its severity and duration.
- Strengthening the immunity of the digestive system and protecting it from infections, especially necrotizing enterocolitis.
- Fight respiratory infections.
- Prevention of urogenital infections.
- Some studies have found a role for probiotics in the prevention of atopic dermatitis.
- Enhance the body's antibody response to vaccines.
- A Finnish study found a role for probiotics in enhancing the response to the Rotavirus vaccine, the virus most prevalent in infants and children.
- It plays a role in the prevention and treatment of allergies in children.
Natural sources of probiotics include yogurt (fermented milk), pickles, miso soup, cheese, and Tavera (Indian mushrooms).
The importance of zinc in strengthening the immunity of children:
Zinc is one of the very important and necessary elements for normal growth and development and proper cell division, and to complete various vital processes in the body, as it is involved in the work of no less than 200 enzymes, and is important for the work of hormones, the development of reproductive organs, the work of the prostate gland, and the healing of wounds.
Zinc is also an essential component of the cells of the immune system, as zinc deficiency affects the ability and functioning of T cells and other immune cells. That's why it's important to ensure our children get their daily needs, but some studies have shown that increasing zinc intake may have an opposite effect on immune system function.
The recommended amount of zinc (RDI) for children according to their age is as follows:
- 1-3 years old: 3 mg/day
- 4-8 years old: 4 mg/day
- 9-13 years old: 6 mg/day
Usually, it is rare for zinc to occur in the body, except in cases of severe malnutrition or the presence of special medical conditions, as its food sources are numerous, and can be included in the daily diet, such as red meat, poultry, liver, and seafood such as oysters Dairy products, seeds, and nuts, whole grains, and legumes such as beans and lentils. Zinc from animal sources is usually better absorbed than from plant sources.
Zinc deficiency in the body is associated with loss of appetite, affected sense of taste, and developmental delays in children, which in severe cases of deficiency may reach dwarfism, problems with sexual maturity, and the growth of genitals. In addition to hair loss, skin infections, mouth and tongue infections.
As for the increase in daily zinc intake, which may also be rare, it may be associated with side effects including nausea, vomiting, and leaving an undesirable taste in the mouth, in addition to its effect on the levels of other minerals in the body such as iron and copper, by impeding their absorption. Thus, taking excessive doses of zinc for a long time may be associated with symptoms including anemia, weak bones, fever, headache, diarrhea, and abdominal pain!
The importance of iron in strengthening children's immunity:
The body needs iron to deliver oxygen to all cells of the body. It is very important for the formation of hemoglobin in red blood cells responsible for this function. And to enhance the body’s immunity, the importance of iron was shown, which was supported by many kinds of research, and it became clear the relationship between the fact that children in developing countries who suffer from iron deficiency more than others are at high risk of infectious diseases! Iron is an essential element for the normal development of the body's immune system and its response. It is necessary for proper cell differentiation and growth. It plays an important role in the formation of many enzymes and the completion of their tasks, and the development of various immune cells.
And an iron deficiency in the body is the most common nutritional deficiency around the world! We find it affects children and teenage girls. Iron deficiency in the body leads to a decrease in the number of red blood cells, which results in anemia and the accompanying symptoms of pallor, weakness, shortness of breath, and a weak ability of the body to resist diseases and pollutants.
The recommended daily allowance for iron (RDI) for children, according to their age, is as follows:
- 1-3 years old: 9 mg/day
- 4-8 years old: 10 mg/day
- 9-13 years old: 8 mg/day
The most important dietary sources of iron are red meat, liver, poultry, seafood, whole grains and nuts, green leafy vegetables such as spinach and molokhia, legumes such as lentils, chickpeas, and beans, and dried fruits such as apricots, prunes, and raisins.
As for the increase in the amount of iron, or what is known as iron poisoning, it is a rare condition in the body, and it may occur in the case of taking iron supplements.