Trace element inspection is unreliable,
First of all, I would like to tell you that the detection of trace elements for zinc deficiency is unreliable. At present, there is still a lack of sensitive and specific detection indicators for evaluating zinc nutrition in the world.
If you want to accurately evaluate whether children are zinc deficient, you can make a conclusion not only by a certain index, but also by combining dietary conditions, development indexes and zinc content in blood.
Therefore, it is not reliable to say that our children [zinc deficiency] just by blood test. Mothers must be confident!
There are not many children with zinc deficiency in China.
In 2013, the data of < < Chinese residents’ dietary nutrient reference intake > > were updated, and the recommended zinc intake for children was greatly adjusted, with 4 mg (average 3.2 mg) for 1-3 years old and 5.5 mg (average 4.6 mg) for 4-7 years old, which was much lower than the previous recommended intake.
Compared with the new standard, you will find that the general intake level has completely passed the standard! That’s why we say that not many children are really zinc deficient.
The symptoms of zinc deficiency are too inconspicuous
- Common symptoms of zinc deficiency include:
Taste disorders, partial eating, anorexia or pica; Growth retardation, short stature and emaciation; Diarrhea; Dry skin, rash, poor wound healing, recurrent oral ulcer…
However, these symptoms are not special at all. Other diseases may occur. Perhaps the environment, climate and even mood may cause these symptoms. Why should zinc deficiency be the cause?
How do you judge whether a child lacks zinc?
To judge whether zinc is deficient, a number of indicators should be combined, including diet evaluation, blood tests, growth and development evaluation, etc.
However, the vast majority of children do not lack zinc, and it is not necessary for everyone to do the latter two tests. Please believe that as long as the diet is balanced and there are no other diseases affecting zinc absorption, children will not lack zinc basically.
Therefore, if you are a little worried about your child’s zinc deficiency, first look at whether the zinc content in your child’s diet is sufficient. This is the simplest and feasible method to evaluate whether your child is zinc deficient.
How to ensure that children eat enough zinc?
Among children with zinc deficiency, insufficient intake of animal foods, insufficient intake of cereals, love of sweets and passive smoking are the main reasons.
According to the survey, about 50% of the dietary zinc sources in China are rice flour and its products, and the animal sources are relatively low. However, the phytic acid content in cereals is relatively high and the zinc utilization rate is very low. Animal foods such as fish, meat, liver, kidney and shellfish are rich in zinc and have high utilization rate.
Therefore, priority should be given to increasing the intake of animal foods. If the intake is sufficient at ordinary times, there is generally no need to worry too much about zinc deficiency.
In addition, there is a highly toxic heavy metal element in cigarette smoke-cadmium, which will interfere with the absorption and function of zinc in the body. Therefore, parents who suspect their children of zinc deficiency and are worried about it should first carry out anti-smoking campaigns at home and then consider other factors. Smoking is not beneficial at all anyway.