Most people have heard or know that vitamin E is good for the human body. This is the main antioxidant that enters the body with food and affects the immune system. Is it good for kids? In the article we will tell you whether a child needs vitamin E and in what quantities.
How vitamin E works
This vitamin is scientifically called tocopherol - it belongs to fat-soluble substances. This means that if you take it on an empty stomach, just with water, there will be no benefit.
When used enough, it has the following effect:
- helps the endocrine and cardiac systems;
- protects body cells from inflammatory processes;
- regulates oxidative reactions;
- normalizes blood clotting;
- supports immunity;
- increases stamina;
- protects red blood cells and strengthens the walls of the vascular system;
- beneficial effect on muscle function;
- helps absorb vitamin A;
- increases the rate of tissue regeneration in case of damage;
- lowers blood sugar;
- normalizes the functioning of the reproductive system;
- eliminates cramps.
Consuming a sufficient amount of vitamin E, the child will fully develop, be active and he althy.
How much and who needs a vitamin
For the normal development of the child's body, it is important not just to get any vitamins into the body, but to consume them in the optimal amount.
For children, the following daily norms of vitamin E are established depending on age:
- up to one year old - 3 mg/kg (3-4 IU);
- 1 to 3 years - 6mg (5-6IU);
- three to eleven years - 7mg (6-7IU);
- girls over 11 – 8 mg (7-8 IU);
- boys over 11 - 10 mg (9-10 IU);
- teenagers - 50-100 IU.
There are groups with an increased need for vitamin E. Children in this category include:
- Premature - their body has not yet established fat metabolism, and a lack of tocopherol increases the risk of infections and damage to the retina.
- Babies with congenital abnormalities or diseases of the gastrointestinal tract that interfere with the absorption of nutrients.
Consequences of vitamin deficiency
Lack of vitamin E has serious negative consequences for the child's body, especially premature babies.
Among them worth mentioning:
- muscle weakness;
- hemolytic anemia;
- retinopathy of prematurity;
- discoordination;
- double vision;
- stunting;
- bad eating habits;
- weight loss;
- ataxia of the trunk and limbs;
- dysarthria;
- retrolental fibroplasia;
- Intraventricular and subependymal hemorrhages in newborns.
All of the above problems are treatable with the timely appointment of vitamin E for children in any form. In this case, it should be taken into account that some breast milk substitutes may make it difficult to absorb the vitamin due to the high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids in them. Also, some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract can give poor digestibility.
Foods containing vitamin
Against the background of vitamin deficiency and stimulation of the normal development of the child, it is necessary to pay close attention to the nutrition of the baby. The menu should contain foods rich in vitamin E and cover the daily need for it daily.
Tocopherol contains products of both animal and vegetable origin. Moreover, from the first vitamin is absorbed by the child's body better.
In the first stages of life, naturally fed babies get vitamin E from breast milk, and artificially fed from fortified formulas. At an older age - with the addition of complementary foods and when switching to regular food -making the right diet becomes relevant.
Vitamin E a child consumes as part of the following products:
- sour cream and dairy products;
- apples of all varieties;
- dried apricots and apricots;
- spinach;
- blueberries and sea buckthorn;
- potato;
- eggs;
- beef liver and beef meat;
- sea fish;
- legumes;
- peanut butter and nuts, especially almonds;
- sunflower seeds;
- sprouted grain;
- unrefined vegetable oils.
You should know that a significant part of the vitamins is lost during heat treatment. Therefore, oils must be added to already prepared dishes, and nuts must be raw.
Issue Forms
All types of vitamin release are divided into:
- one-component, containing only vitamin E;
- multicomponent, including other additives (mineral s alts and other vitamins).
The drug is available in several forms:
- syrup;
- liquid oil solution (drops);
- chewable lozenges;
- capsules.
Vitamin E drops for children are given from birth to three years old, syrup - up to six, and lozenges and capsules are great for children from six years old.
Babies who are weak or often sick are prescribed complex preparations in which vitamin E is in combination with vitamin A and ascorbic acid. Effective representatives of this groupfunds are "Multi-tabs", "Sana-sol", "Vitrum", "Supradin", "Alphabet", "Pikovit".
Tocopherol is available in natural (marked "d") or synthetic (marked "dl") form, but its effectiveness in the first case is considered twice as effective. Vitamin E oil solution can be given to children not only inside, but also used as an external remedy.
Who shows the vitamin, warnings and contraindications
Preparations where tocopherol is the main component are taken only on prescription and in case of vitamin E hypovitaminosis, confirmed by a blood test.
The drug is indicated as part of a multivitamin in such cases:
- SARS and systematic colds;
- underweight at an early age;
- unbalanced baby food;
- high physical activity;
- recovery period after illnesses;
- overwork;
- living in areas with unfavorable ecology and radiation conditions.
According to the instructions, vitamin E to children - or its complex preparations - is forbidden to be given if there is intolerance to any of their components. It is also not recommended to take such funds to children suffering from iron deficiency anemia or poor blood clotting in order to avoid worsening their condition.
It should be remembered that an overdose of tocopherol can cause:
- failure in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
- pressure increase;
- bleeding andbleeding;
- weakness;
- headaches;
- muscle cramps.
How to take and overdose
According to the instructions for use, vitamin E drops are measured for children with a pipette, and the child should chew or swallow capsules and lozenges during or after meals (preferably breakfast). Be sure to follow the dosage recommended by the therapist.
With excessive use of vitamin E, no significant changes in the functioning of the body will occur, since an excess amount of the substance will be excreted in the bile. But a significant excess of the dose leads to digestive disorders, hormonal disorders, headaches, weakness, visual impairment. If such symptoms occur, the tocopherol preparation is canceled, and the child is shown to the doctor.
How to increase your vitamin intake
If a vitamin E deficiency is detected, the child needs to adjust the diet taking into account the following conditions:
- take tocopherol exclusively after or during meals;
- avoid eating very fatty foods;
- be aware that with long heat treatment, half of the amount of vitamin in the products disappears.
To determine how much tocopherol enters the body, a blood test is performed. With sufficient intake of vitamin E, plasma should not be less than 0.4 mg%. If the result is underestimated, the diet is enriched with appropriate products or the doctor will prescribe a drug for therapy.
Vitamin E is the most important substance for children and it is necessary to monitor how much it enters the child's body. It is important to remember that both a shortage and an excess of this compound harm the child's body. With sufficient intake of this vitamin, children develop normally, and their immunity is strengthened.
