Zinc is an essential trace element for the human body, and supplementing with zinc plays an extremely important role in vital physiological processes such as human growth and development, reproduction and genetics, immunity, and endocrine function. For children's growth and development, nutrition is a very critical step. Once a child's body lacks a certain nutrient, it will affect their growth, especially for children who are deficient in zinc, they should eat more zinc-rich foods in their daily lives.
I. Zinc-rich foods for children
1. Lean meat
Everyone has eaten lean meat, which is one of the foods high in zinc. Lean meat has very high nutritional value, so it is very popular among the general public. In daily life, lean meat is a common home-cooked dish, and there are many ways to prepare it, such as garlic苔肉丝 (stir-fried pork with garlic stalks), 木耳肉丝 (stir-fried pork with wood ear mushrooms), and 青椒肉丝 (stir-fried pork with green peppers), which are all common dishes in our lives. For children to eat, we can mince the lean meat into a paste and make it into congee or soup, which is more conducive to absorption.
2. Fish
Fish is a common ingredient that everyone knows, its taste is very delicious, and it is also a food high in zinc. Therefore, in our daily lives, we can eat more fish, which can not only supplement the zinc element our body needs but also increase our intelligence. Children often eating fish is of great help to their growth and development.
3. Pork liver
We are all very familiar with pork liver, and its price is also very cheap. Have you ever eaten sour and spicy pork liver? It is not only delicious but also has the effect of protecting vision, enhancing resistance, and lowering blood pressure. Pork liver is also a food high in zinc. Many post-operative patients like to eat pork liver, which helps wound healing. For children and the elderly to eat pork liver, the editor suggests simmering the pork liver into a soup or eating it as a puree, which is more conducive to digestion.
II. People who need zinc supplementation
1. Vegetarians should supplement zinc
Some people like to eat vegetables, and some people have to eat more vegetables due to arteriosclerosis or other diseases. Vegetables are rich in fiber, which is certainly good for the body, but the content of some important trace metals in vegetables is extremely low.
2. Malnourished children should supplement zinc
According to reports, among the more than 1,300 known enzymes in the human body, dozens contain zinc. Children are in a stage of growth and development and have a greater need for zinc. According to a zinc content measurement of 158 malnourished children under 6 years of age by relevant units in Shanghai, it was found that 118 of them were deficient in zinc. After taking zinc sulfate, their appetite increased, and their height and weight also showed significant growth. Therefore, if a child is found to be weak and sick, it is necessary to measure the zinc content and take zinc-selenium tablets under the guidance of a doctor if necessary.
3. People with premature aging should supplement zinc
If an organism does not get a normal supply of zinc, the function of internal cells will become abnormal, and it will accelerate human aging. Specifically, zinc has a preventive effect on hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, liver disease, and premature aging. For healthy people, taking an appropriate amount of zinc has the effect of preventing disease and prolonging life.
4. Children with anorexia should supplement zinc
Zinc deficiency in children is very harmful to muscle growth and can also lead to various symptoms, such as loss of appetite, diminished taste, fatigue, weight loss, and even anorexia. The child may also experience swollen feet, irritability, skin ulcers, etc. A few children may also develop pica, where the normal sense of taste and appetite undergoes a morbid change, and they often love to eat things that are completely inedible, such as lime, soil, bricks, cigarette butts, chalk, etc., which is difficult to understand, but they eat them with great relish.
Zinc is an important substance in human cell composition and is closely related to the formation of ribonucleic acid, deoxyribonucleic acid, and protein. Zinc is one of the components of many metal enzymes. In the process of a child's growth, the daily requirement of zinc is about 5-10 mg. Zinc deficiency can cause slow growth and development, pica, anorexia, underdeveloped genitals, poor intellectual development, and even lead to zinc-deficient dwarfism, primary acrodermatitis enteropathica, recurrent oral ulcers, zinc-deficiency diseases, and anemia.