“Should I give my child a zinc supplement?”
Here’s the lowdown to help you make up your mind
We get it – there are many vitamins out there for kids, but how do you know if your child will benefit from, say, a zinc supplement?
Zinc is a trace mineral known to play a key role in supporting your child’s immune system, but there are more benefits on top of helping to keep germs at bay.
Scroll down for 6 solid reasons that zinc might be an option for your child…
6 ways zinc supports children’s health beyond immune health
- Skin health: zinc supports the barrier of the skin and plays a vital role in skin health and wound healing.
- Healthy growth and development: this mineral plays an important role in the normal development and function of cells.
- Cognitive function: zinc may help improve learning and memory.
- Free radicals: zinc is an antioxidant, which means it reduces free radicals formed in the body. Free radicals are unstable atoms linked to ageing and various diseases.
- Carbohydrate metabolism: in children, zinc assists by regulating the absorption and synthesis of glucose and promotes glucose metabolism, meaning it promotes healthy regulation of glucose in the body.
- Protein synthesis: zinc is a major component of building proteins in your body, which are considered the ‘building blocks of life’ as every cell needs protein to be created and repair itself.
Should I give my child a zinc supplement?
Zinc supplements is not something you have to give to your child. If they are eating a well-balanced, healthy diet with a variety of foods including meat, fish, seafood and eggs (the main sources of zinc), it’s likely that they are getting enough daily.
However, throughout a young child’s life it’s common for them to go through picky stages or illness and you might worry they’re not getting everything they need.
Food refusal is common in young children as their tastebuds develop, they explore new and different textures and exert their control in one of the few areas they can – what they put in their body. It is also a common symptom of many illnesses, such as stomach bugs.
Giving a zinc supplement such as Bio Island Zinc for Kids may help support your child’s zinc levels if you think they may not be getting enough through their diet. Bio Island Zinc for Kids is suitable for children from 12 months+ and comes in a tasty milk-flavoured chewable tablet, which can also be crushed and added to food.
It’s important to always read the label and follow directions for use. If you are at all unsure, check in with your GP or health care provider.
Is a zinc supplement good for kids when they are sick?
You may want to give them a zinc supplement to support their immune system as you head into cold and flu season, if they are run down or if you know their diet is unbalanced for any reason.
As mentioned, zinc helps the body with immune function by assisting in fighting off infections, supporting the healthy growth of normal functioning immune cells, assisting the protective skin barrier health and more.
Starting daycare, preschool or school are solid reasons parents may choose to give their child something to support their immune health as they are exposed to different environments and more germs.
How do I know if my child might be deficient in zinc?
According to healthdirect.gov.au, symptoms of zinc deficiency may include the following:
- Hair loss
- Skin and hair changes
- Eye problems
- Increased infections
- Wounds taking a long time to heal
- Loss of taste and smell
- Diarrhoea
Whilst our bodies do not create zinc and it needs to be obtained from diet it is rare for children (or adults) to be severely deficient in zinc as it occurs naturally in many foods including fish, eggs, chicken, and red meat. Fortified breakfast cereals are also readily available (although try to opt for ones with the least sugar).
It is important to know that zinc absorption is higher from animal foods than plant sources, so vegetarians and vegans will need higher intakes of zinc, for strict vegetarians the intake may be up to 50% higher and should be discussed with your healthcare professional.
While there is no ‘yes or no’ answer whether parents should give children zinc supplements, supporting your little one’s immune system health this way is a choice many make.
When taking any supplement, always read the label and follow the directions for use.
Brought to you by Bio Island
