Growth and development is a period of extremely dynamic change, occurring in the body of the child. One of the most important components involved in the development of a growing organism and responsible for good health is iron.
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The importance of iron in a baby’s diet
Iron is the main component of hemoglobin or protein in red blood cells. It is responsible for the binding and transport of oxygen to various organs of the body. Moreover, this element also plays an important role in the functioning of the immune system, protecting the body from unwanted infections.
Iron stocks must be constantly replenished, otherwise, it is by all means affect the state of the whole organism. At the first stage, symptoms iron deficiency will be expressed in problems with memorization and concentration of attention, it is difficult for such children to learn, they less active than their peers, get sick more often, get tired faster.
Externally, anemia makes itself felt in the pale color of the skin. Also, the symptoms of iron deficiency include nervousness, sharp mood swings, dizziness, poor appetite.
The most common causes of iron deficiency
The main factor causing iron deficiency anemia is malnutrition. With the composition of the diet, nutrition child, it is imperative to consider the content in only iron, but also other vitamins and minerals.
Fast growth. Sometimes it happens that the body the child is developing rapidly, metabolic processes are accelerating and with food needs to get more nutrients.
Bleeding. With blood loss it goes down and blood iron level. This happens with injuries, after operations, with heavy menstruation in girls.
Physical exercise. Children who are engaged in sports, are more prone to iron deficiency because intense workouts limit its absorption. In addition, an increase physical activity leads to an increase in iron loss. About it you need to remember when compiling a diet for a little athlete.
How to prevent iron deficiency?
Iron is divided into animal and vegetable iron origin. The first can be found most in products. animal origin and it is absorbed by the body by 20-30%. In his the turn of iron of plant origin is mainly in plant foods and absorbed in much less degree than its predecessor.
It turns out, however, that by eating foods and plant and animal origin together we increase iron absorption, it is worth remembering this, when compiling the menu.
Vitamin C also plays an important role in the absorption of iron. Everything, that you need to do is drink a glass of citrus juice or a smoothie from lemon and parsley for food to improve its absorption. Important remember that only fresh fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamin C, and after heat treatment, this vitamin is destroyed.
B vitamins also help in the absorption of iron. (especially B6, B12, folic acid).
