When should you take iron supplements for children?

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Iron is an essential element for blood formation process, growth, brain development and the nervous system of children. Therefore, the best time to take iron supplements for children to get maximum absorption is a matter of concern for parents.

1. When should you take iron supplements for children?

Iron content drops to minimum level after a long sleep, so early morning is the best time to supplement iron in time to provide for daily activities. Therefore, to the question "when is the best time for children to take iron supplements?", the answer is to supplement at least 30 minutes before breakfast. For children who are prone to stomachaches, nausea when taking iron before meals, they should be given during or after meals and started with a low dose.

2. How to take iron supplements for best absorption?

Besides "when we should take iron supplements for the kid", "how to take iron supplements for best absorption" is also an issue that parents need to pay attention to.
To absorb iron element best, parents should:

• Before or after taking iron supplements, eat more fruits rich in vitamin C, because this vitamin has the effect of increasing iron absorption into the body. In addition, B vitamins such as vitamin B6 also have a similar effect.
• On the contrary, avoid drinking tea and coffee with iron supplements because the tannin in tea and caffeine in coffee can inhibit the absorption of iron. Limit foods rich in phosphorus when taking iron supplements because they can cause iron precipitation, reduce iron absorption.
• Iron and calcium should not be taken together because they can hinder iron absorption. When you need to take both of these minerals, especially pregnant women, you need to take them at least 2 hours apart.
• In addition, when taking iron supplements do not combine with classes of antibiotics such as tetracycline, quinolones, and thyroid hormones. If you are taking these groups of drugs, you need to cure the disease and stop taking it before taking iron supplements.
• Do not take iron supplements with drugs to treat stomach diseases such as gastric acid neutralizers, proton pump inhibitors, and H2 blockers.
• Syrups and other liquid iron drugs can cause tooth discoloration when used for a long time, so after taking them, children should rinse their mouths and brush their teeth. Black stools can also occur after taking iron, but it is not harmful to health.
• Parents should keep iron supplements out of reach of children because taking it by mistake can cause acute poisoning with symptoms of abdominal cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, ... or later, blue, pale fingernails and palms; convulsions; rapid breathing.

3. What are iron-rich foods?

Iron is abundant in both food from animals and food from plants. Depending on your child's eating preferences, choose the suitable food for them.

• Iron from animals: Red meat (pork, beef); seafood (tuna, shrimp, crab, squid, clams); poultry (chicken, duck); eggs and animal organs.
• Iron from plants: Dark green vegetables (water spinach, broccoli, kale, star gooseberry leaves; beans (soybeans, green beans); whole grains, dried fruits.
• The body absorbs animal iron better than plant iron. Therefore, families with a tradition of eating vegetarian should combine fruits rich in vitamin C (citrus, papaya, strawberries) to increase iron absorption.

4. Who needs iron supplementation?

Iron plays an important role in the production of hemoglobin and myoglobin in the blood, so iron deficiency can cause anemia. The process of transporting oxygen to muscle tissues is also affected so that this makes us fatigue, poor concentration, and dementia.
Iron is essential for pregnant and lactating women, premature babies, adolescent girls, people with iron absorption disorders, acute blood loss, and digestive disorders. During puberty, iron deficiency can affect the nervous system, causing dementia, weakness, and difficulty in concentrating on learning.
During pregnancy, iron deficiency can easily cause premature birth, miscarriage, and postpartum hemorrhage, and even fetal malnutrition, increasing the risk of birth defects. In young children, iron deficiency can cause fussiness, loss of appetite, poor sleep, dementia, speech delay, late walking, hypotonia.
Iron requirements by age are described as follows:

Full-term newborns have enough iron accumulation from their mothers until they are 5-6 months old. During this period, breast milk plays a very important role in providing essential nutrients for children. Although iron from breast milk is less, it is easier to absorb than formula milk.
Premature babies need to be supplemented with iron dose about 2mg/kg/day, maximum 15mg/day, starting from 1 month - 12 months old. This amount of iron can be provided from formula milk, or drugs in liquid forms such as iron syrup until the child starts eating solid foods. When the babies are able to wean, they can be switched to eating foods rich in iron.
In short, iron is very important for the human body, iron deficiency will affect the body's functions. The best time to give your child iron is 30 minutes - 1 hour before meals in the morning. After taking it, you should eat foods rich in vitamin C to increase iron absorption. Iron should only be taken when the body is lacking, because it is already present in daily foods, and excess supplementation can cause side effects.
In addition to iron, parents also need to supplement other essential micronutrients for their children such as: Zinc, selenium, Chromium, Vitamin B1 and B6, Ginger, cherry extract (vitamin C), ... to enhance taste, eat well, achieve standard height and weight, increase resistance to minimize getting minor ailments and digestive problems.

LAMINKID I Health Protection Food:

The product has the effect of supplementing minerals and vitamins for the body. It supports digestion, enhances food absorption, and helps children eat well. In addition, it supports improving resistance for children and reducing the risk of diseases due to poor resistance such as upper respiratory tract infections, flu.
Target users:

• Children with poor appetite, poor food absorption, thin, malnourished, slow development.
• Children with low resistance, who are sick or have just recovered from illness, children who often suffer from upper respiratory tract infections, flu.

Responsible for product quality:
Elepharma Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company
No. 9, Truong Cong Giai Street, Group 17, Dich Vong Ward, Cau Giay District, Hanoi City, Vietnam

• (Tel) 1800 6091; (E) info.elepharma@gmail.com
• See more information about the product at: https://i.vinmec.com/laminkid
• Register for nutrition consultation for your child at: https://i.vinmec.com/dangkytuvandinhduong