The role of micronutrients in supporting children’s digestive system

The digestive system plays an extremely important role in the health and development of children. However, the immature digestive system of children is very vulnerable to many factors, including a nutritionally deficient diet, changes in the living environment and harmful bacteria… Adequate micronutrient supplementation is necessary to support the effective function of the digestive system, allowing children to develop comprehensively and healthily.

Micronutrients play an important role in supporting digestion in children

1. The role of micronutrients for children’s digestive system

Micronutrients, commonly known as vitamins (A, D, B…) and minerals (calcium, zinc, iron…), are essential for healthy development and disease prevention in children in particular and humans in general. Except for vitamin D, micronutrients are not produced in the body and must be absorbed through food. Although each person only needs a very small amount of micronutrients in the range of mcg to mg, consuming the recommended amount is of great significance. Micronutrient deficiencies may cause serious consequences for the development of children’s bodies, including reducing the secretion of digestive enzymes, causing children to lose their appetite, have anorexia, digestive disorders, slow digestion of food, and reduce nutrient absorption in children, causing children to gain weight slowly, become stunted and weak.

Micronutrient deficiency is a common condition in children that affects their development

According to nutritionists, there are more than 90 types of micronutrients that meet the growth needs of children. These micronutrients can be divided into 4 main groups, including: trace minerals, macrominerals, water-soluble vitamins and fat-soluble vitamins. This article discusses some typical micronutrients in each of the above groups.

– Zinc and iron are two trace minerals that play an important role in the child’s body. Zinc affects the stimulation of digestive enzyme production, strengthens the immune system and helps heal wounds. In an article published in 2023 in the journal Nutrients titled “Zinc Deficiency and Therapeutic Value of Zinc Supplementation in Pediatric Gastrointestinal Diseases”, it was shown that zinc plays an important role in maintaining the integrity of the gastric mucosa from damage. In addition, children with zinc deficiency may experience anorexia, reduced ability to absorb food, leading to slow digestion, constipation and nausea.

Zinc (Zn) is a trace mineral that plays an important role in children’s bodies

In addition, trace iron provides oxygen to cells, supports food metabolism and prevents anemia. Iron is the main component of hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen to organs and tissues, and transports carbon dioxide (CO2) back to the lungs. If there is not enough iron, the child’s digestive, circulatory and respiratory systems will also be greatly affected.

– Compared to trace minerals, the body needs a large amount of macrominerals to perform many important functions for the body. Calcium is a typical example, this mineral helps regulate intestinal muscle contractions, stimulates digestive secretions. Calcium deficiency also causes diseases such as gastroenteritis, Cohn’s disease (chronic inflammatory bowel disease) and some other digestive diseases..

Calcium minerals help regulate intestinal muscle contractions and stimulate digestive secretions

– As for water-soluble vitamins, this group of micronutrients has the mechanism of action as the name suggests, they are able to dissolve in water and are easily excreted in the urine if the body consumes more than necessary. Therefore, these vitamins are not stored in the body, it is important to get enough of them from food. Typically, we can mention the B vitamins, that supports food metabolism, reduces stress and prevent anemia, specifically vitamin B1 (thiamine) supports nutrients metabolism, vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) is necessary for synthesizing fatty acids, vitamin B7 (biotin) plays a role in the metabolism of fatty acids, amino acids and glucose.

B vitamins are essential for children’s digestive systems

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a lack of vitamin B12 can lead to digestive disorders and anemia in children, preventing them from developing normal indicators optimally.

– Unlike the above mentioned types, fat-soluble vitamins are micronutrients that do not dissolve in water and are best absorbed when consumed with fat. After consumption, fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the liver and fatty tissues for gradual use. One type of vitamin in this group is Vitamin A, which plays a role in maintaining the immune system, protecting the intestinal mucosa and promoting cell regeneration.In addition, research has shown that vitamin A deficiency can increase intestinal permeability, causing serious harm to the digestive system: chronic diarrhea, reduced nutrient absorption or digestive disorders…

– Vitamin D supports calcium absorption, strengthens the immune system and reduces the risk of autoimmune diseases. One study found that children with vitamin D deficiency had a 64% higher risk of developing autoimmune enteritis than those with adequate vitamin D levels. Vitamin D deficiency also causes an imbalance in intestinal bacteria, leading to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

2. Proper and effective supplement of micronutrients for children

A recently published survey on the nutritional status of Southeast Asia shows that more than 50% of Vietnamese children lack micronutrients such as vitamins A, B1, C, D and iron in their daily diet. This shows that traditional meals do not meet the needs of children in the development stage. At the same time, as the body is not able to synthesize micronutrients on its own and needs to be provided from food, micronutrient supplementation to increase absorption in children is necessary. In this article, parents will be suggested with some solution for micronutrients supplement for their children properly and effectively.

– Diet plays a key role in supplementing micronutrients in the most natural and simple way. According to nutrition experts, a balanced, varied diet needs to ensure all essential food groups, including: cereals, protein-rich foods, good fat foods, and fruits and vegetables. The cereal group provides the main source of energy for the body, parents need to prioritize whole grains such as brown rice, oats, black bread… Foods rich in protein enable development of muscles and tissues, including lean meat, fish, eggs, milk, beans… In addition, foods rich in good fats are essential for brain and vision development, they are abundant in avocados, olive oil, nuts… The fruit and vegetable group provides vitamins, minerals and fiber, helping to strengthen the immune system and support digestion. Parents should encourage children to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables of different colors.

A balanced, varied diet should ensure adequate intake of all essential food groups (Source: Da Nang Center for Disease Control)

In addition to diversifying food groups, parents need to pay attention to properly preparing food to ensure that nutrients are retained. In particular, parents should limit the use of frying and stir-frying methods with a lot of oil and prioritize steamed, boiled, grilled or soup dishes for children.

– Moreover, parents should use nutritional products to ensure adequate micronutrients for children. Metacare Opti 2+ is one of the leading products chosen and trusted by parents in the current category of nutritional products supporting digestion. Metacare Opti 2+ was researched and developed by scientists from Nutricare – a pioneer in the field of Medical Nutrition in Vietnam with the Nutricare Medical Nutrition Institute – USA (NMNI-USA). With 2 standard glasses or 3 cartons of ready-to-drink milk per day, your baby is supplemented with HMO combined with fiber to support his/her healthy digestive system, prevent constipation, and support intestinal microflora balance. 24-hour colostrum from the US in the product also helps strengthen children’s resistance. In addition, for children to develop comprehensively, the product provides up to 60 essential nutrients along with easily absorbed Whey Protein, Lysine, Zinc to allow energy metabolism increase for children to gain healthy weight, along with the trio of Calcium, Vitamin K2 and D3 to help strengthen bones and children develop outstanding height. In particular, Metacare Opti 2+ possesses the breakthrough Postbiotic technology, supplementing 30 billion Postbiotic probiotics (Postbiotic LBiome and Postbiotic L. Lactis probiotics) to help protect children’s healthy intestines, restore the natural balance of intestinal microflora and promote the growth of beneficial bacteria. Thanks to that, combining the use of Metacare Opti 2+ nutritional products in their children’s diet, parents are able to supplement them with micronutrients, reduce indigestion and digestive disorders, and also support the development of resistance and height in children.

– Additionally, to ensure a safe and effective process of supplementing micronutrients for children, parents need to comply with food hygiene and safety principles. Parents need to pay attention to choosing foods with identified origins, washing hands with soap before cooking and after going to the toilet, preserving food, avoiding bacteria from entering, and cleaning cooking utensils after each use.

Mothers and babies should regularly wash their hands before eating and preparing food, and after using the toilet

It can be seen that proper micronutrient supplementation is necessary to meet the developmental needs of children, especially when the daily diet is not nutritious enough. With the methods that the article has suggested above, hopefully it has provided useful and necessary information so that parents can be completely assured about ensuring health and making the most of the benefits of micronutrient supplementation for their children’s bodies.

Conclusion: Micronutrients play an important role in supporting the healthy development of children’s digestive systems. They participate in many essential functions such as supporting digestion, strengthening the immune system and preventing digestive diseases in children. Parents should consult a doctor or nutritionist for advice on an appropriate diet for their children’s needs and health status. Pay attention to your child’s nutrition from the first years of life to lay the foundation for a healthy digestive system and comprehensive development of children.