How to supplement vitamin C for children?

Vitamin C is a nutrient that every infant and child needs to develop overall health. For the first 4 to 6 months of life, breast milk can provide all the vitamin C a baby needs. However, after 6 months of age, babies need a balanced diet to help reach the recommended daily vitamin C levels.

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a vitamin found in many familiar citrus fruits, apples, berries, potatoes, and peppers. This vitamin is also available as a functional food with a very diverse and abundant form on the market
For children, vitamin C plays a very important role, specifically:
Contributes to the formation of collagen, blood vessels blood, cartilage, and muscles: This helps maintain many body tissues, including your baby's skin. When giving children vitamin c, the results support connective tissue repair and wound healing faster. Vitamin C is a neurotransmitter: Vitamin C is involved in the synthesis of chemicals important for signaling in the nervous system. Carnitine: Vitamin C is also involved in the synthesis of a chemical called carnitine, which helps support the transport and breakdown of fatty acids to create energy. Formation of bones and teeth: The formation of healthy bones and teeth also requires the participation of vitamin C. It can be said that vitamin C is extremely important factors in the first formative years of children. However, one of the most well-known functions of vitamin C is to support the body's immune system. Giving children the right amount of vitamin c can really help boost their immune systems. Thanks to the antioxidants that help reduce damage to cells from free radicals in the body. In particular, vitamin C is also highly concentrated in immune cells, which indicates that it is a valuable immune booster.

Minimum recommended vitamin C requirements for children according to different ages:
From 1 to 3 years: 15 mg per day; 4 to 8 years old: 25 mg per day; 9 to 13 years old: 45 mg per day; 14 to 18 years: 75 mg daily (for boys), 65 mg/day (for girls); Adult males: 90 mg per day; Adult women: 75 mg per day; Pregnant women: 85 mg per day; Lactation: 120 mg per day; Smokers: 35 mg per day in addition to pre-existing needs.

The role of vitamin C for children is very essential, the child's developing body cannot produce vitamin C on its own. Therefore, parents must ensure that their children eat a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables. color every day.
In fact, there are many foods containing vitamin C that can be used to supplement daily nutrition for children. Citrus fruits are particularly good sources of vitamin C for children, with oranges and pineapples being two examples. In addition, other fruits and vegetables that also contain vitamin C include: Papayas, bell peppers, kiwi, strawberries, broccoli, cantaloupe, cantaloupe, watermelon, potatoes and tomatoes, vegetables Spinach, asparagus, kale.... These foods are very common in life, so parents can flexibly use them to help their baby feel good and get the most out of it. nutrient source.
In case children are picky eaters or do not like to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, parents can also use them to make water for children to drink. Children's vitamin C is also now available as an oral supplement. Parents can consult with their pediatrician about which type is right for their child.
In summary, vitamin C has an important role in protecting the immune system and participating in the construction of other organ systems in the body. Because the human body is not capable of making this vitamin on its own, parents need to pay attention to providing enough vitamin C for their children according to their age from daily diet or supplements.

References: health.clevelandclinic.org, mckenzie-pediatrics.com, medicalnewstoday.com