Calcium is one of the most abundant macroelements in the human body, and although most of the trace element tests include calcium, calcium is not a trace element.
Due to the important role of calcium in bone growth and development, calcium supplementation has been a hot topic in children's nutrition. There are often many prejudices and misunderstandings about whether calcium supplementation is needed and how calcium supplementation is most reasonable.
Calcium requirements, for infants under 1 year of age, about 400-600 mg of calcium per day;Toddlers aged 1-3 years need 500-600 mg of calcium per dayChildren aged 4-6 years need 600-800 mg of calcium per dayChildren over the age of 7 need about 800-1000 mg of calcium per dayThe digestion and absorption of calcium is affected by a variety of factors, including age, physiological state of the body, and other components of food. Adequate protein intake and vitamin D are conducive to calcium absorption, while oxalic acid and dietary fiber in fruits and vegetables are not conducive to calcium absorption. Compared with adults, the calcium absorption rate of children is relatively high, and infants and young children can reach 50%. The body can regulate the balance of calcium, and when it is deficient, the absorption rate increasesWhen there is too much, it is excreted from the body by urine.
In food, milk and soy products contain more calcium, and the absorption rate is relatively high, especially milk and its products, which are ideal calcium for children. 100ml of pure milk can contain 120mg of calcium, and the calcium content of 100ml of formula milk powder is generally about 75mg. The calcium content of breast milk is relatively low, generally 100ml contains 30-35mg of calcium. Milk or breast milk contains lactose and protein, both of which are conducive to calcium absorption.
If you need to supplement calcium with medication, calcium carbonate granules or tablets are generally recommended, which have a relatively high calcium content. 1 calcium carbonate tablet can contain 300mg of calcium, calcium lactate granules contain only 65mg of calcium, calcium acetate granules about 50mg, and 10ml of calcium gluconate oral liquid contains 90mg of calcium. You can choose calcium compound tablets or calcium carbonate granules that contain vitamin D to help with calcium absorption.
If a child receives 400ml of milk per day, he or she can get nearly 500mg of calcium from cow's milk alone. So if the amount of milk is okay, calcium supplementation may be the most cost-effective through dietary supplements**. At the same time of calcium supplementation, you can consume more nutrients such as high-quality protein, which ensures more balanced nutrition and is more conducive to children's growth and development.