What Is the Function of Zinc?

A youngster eats with a spoon

Zinc is required for children’s growth and development. Zinc is an essential mineral for immunological function, wound healing, and the perception of smell and taste.

When Will, My Child, Require Zinc? And how much is it?

Zinc is essential for your child’s development at all stages. When your child is about 6 months old, you can begin offering him or her zinc-fortified solid foods.

Children from 7 to 24 months require 3 milligrams of zinc each day. How Can I Ensure My Child Gets Enough Zinc Once He Starts Eating Solid Foods?

It is critical to consume zinc-rich meals. Zinc-containing foods include:

  • Grain fortified with zinc (for example, zinc-fortified infant cereals)
  • Meats (for example, beef or pork)
  • Dairy (for example, yogurt or cheese)
  • External Fish Icon (for example, flounder)
  • Shellfish (for example, oysters or crab)
  • Legumes (for example, beans)

Zinc-rich foods are especially beneficial for babies who are solely breastfed. Zinc levels in breast milk are high after birth and gradually decrease throughout the first 6 months. After 6 months, it is critical to introduce zinc-containing meals to meet nutritional demands.

How Much Zinc Should Children Get?

A lack of zinc can cause developmental delays. Zinc is a trace mineral that is necessary for your child’s brain’s health and development. Your child should acquire his daily zinc intake from healthful foods. Give your child a zinc supplement only after consulting with his doctor, as it may produce hazardous adverse effects.

Daily Requirements

The quantity of zinc your child requires depends on his age, but he may receive it all by eating a nutritious, well-balanced diet. There is no suggested daily quantity of zinc for children under the age of seven months, but after that, and until your child is four, he should have three milligrams of zinc every day. Children aged 4 to 8 require 5 milligrams of zinc per day, whereas children aged 9 to 13 require 8 milligrams. Young women and males between the ages of 14 and 18 require 9 milligrams and 11 milligrams of zinc per day, respectively.

Zinc Resources

Zinc is found in a variety of foods, including beef, pork, chicken, and fish. A 3-ounce serving of beef roast has 7 milligrams of zinc, while a 3-ounce dish of pork contains 2.9 milligrams. 2.4 milligrams are found in three ounces of dark flesh chicken. A 3-ounce portion of Alaska king crab has 6.5 milligrams of zinc, while a 3-ounce serving of lobster contains 3.4 milligrams. An 8-ounce container of yogurt contains 1.7 milligrams of zinc, whereas an ounce of cashews contains 1.6 milligrams. One milligram of zinc is provided by a piece of Swiss cheese, a cup of milk, or a packet of instant oatmeal.

Why Is Zinc Important?

Zinc, in addition to supporting brain function, is important for the health of your child’s immune system and can help avoid illness. Zinc also aids in the healing of injuries in your child’s body. Zinc is essential for your child’s reproductive system’s growth and development. The mineral also aids in the support of the senses of smell, taste, and sight, as well as the prevention of cell damage that can lead to heart disease and cancer.

Considerations and Suggestions

Depending on your child’s dietary needs, one of the simplest methods to improve your child’s intake of this crucial mineral is to serve meat on a regular basis. For a zinc-rich snack, combine a carton of yogurt with finely chopped almonds. Give your child a glass of milk with each meal to increase his zinc intake. The majority of children do not require zinc supplements. Toxins can be caused by giving your child a supplement. Too much zinc can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and headaches. It may also lead your child’s body to become unable to utilise iron properly, resulting in lower copper levels.

Inc supplementation is an important new treatment for diarrheal episodes in children. According to recent research, combining zinc with novel low osmolarity oral rehydration solutions/salts (ORS) can lessen the duration and severity of diarrheal episodes for up to three months. The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF recommend daily zinc supplements of 20 mg for 10 – 14 days for children with acute diarrhea, and 10 mg per day for infants under six months old, to reduce the severity of the episode and prevent further occurrences in the following two to three months, thereby significantly lowering morbidity. This paper examines the available information on the efficacy and safety of zinc supplementation in juvenile diarrhea and concludes clearly that zinc supplementation improves disease outcomes.