Introduction

Micronutrients are a crucial part of your kids' diet. But what exactly are they? Your kid’s body needs adequate energy and nourishment to be in top gear throughout the day. They get all that and more from nutrients that provide the body with energy, aid in regular bodily functions, and lower the risk of infections and diseases. Nutrients that are required in large amounts are known as macronutrients, those needed in smaller quantities are called micronutrients, and the nutrients required in minute amounts are collectively known as trace minerals. Macronutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are needed by your child’s body, according to their respective calorie requirement and activity level. As for micronutrients and trace minerals, they mostly vary depending on age, gender, and a few other respective factors. But what role do micronutrients and trace minerals play in your kid’s health? Here’s a quick guide to it.

Micronutrients That Are A Must For Your Kids

Micronutrients are usually sourced from whole foods like fruits, vegetables, dairy, and whole grains. Here is a quick list of them along with their sources.

Zinc

It is sourced from dairy products like milk, cheese, poultry, sea fish, and whole grains.

Iron

It is abundantly found in fish, eggs, animal meat, legumes, and whole grains.

Iodine

Ideally sourced from iodized salt, seafood, eggs, and dairy products.

Magnesium

Abundantly found in green vegetables, seafood, whole grains, legumes, cocoa, and nuts.

Calcium

It is mainly found in dairy products like milk and yogurt, along with almonds, tofu, soymilk, and broccoli.

Potassium

It is sourced from apricots, bananas, button mushrooms, nuts, and seeds.

Vitamin A

Consumed in fortified milk, eggs, animal meat, dairy products, and colorful vegetables containing beta carotenes, like carrots, pumpkins, colorful capsicums, and more.

Vitamin B

Sourced from legumes, whole grains, fish, and poultry.

Vitamin C

Citrusy fruits like oranges, lemons, mosambi, and more are great sources of vitamin C, along with certain green vegetables.

Vitamin D

Mainly absorbed from sunlight. Among consumables, button mushrooms, fortified milk, eggs, and animal meat are reliable sources.

Vitamin E

It is found mainly in green leafy veggies, egg yolks, seeds, nuts, and healthy whole grains.

Vitamin K

Mainly sourced from green leafy vegetables like spinach, soybean, and fermented foods.

Role Of Micronutrients In Your Kid’s Health

Micronutrients play a multifaceted role in your kid’s health, they,

• Improve Immunity And Offer Protection Against Infections
• Enhance Blood Clotting, Wound, And Organ Healing
• Improve Vision, Dental, Hair, And Skin Health
• Support Growth, Strength Development, And Stamina
• Increase Iron Absorption And Vitamin A Formation In The Body
• Maintain Healthy Bones, Muscles, And Cell Growth
• Enhance Sleep Pattern And Mood
• Improve Respiratory Function
• Regulate Hypertension And Maintain Heart Health
• Ensure Smooth Functioning Of Nerves And Brain
• Aid In Blood Cell Formation And Oxygen Transporation Throughout The Body
• Improve Rate Of Metabolism And Influence Enzymatic Reactions

Impact Of Micronutrient Deficiencies On Your Kid’s Development

• A deficiency of vitamins A and E can lead to impaired vision, night blindness, skin problems, and stunted growth in kids.
• Deficiency of B vitamins can lead to fatigue, deficiency disorders like beri beri, DNA complications, and growth disorders.
• Lack of vitamin C leads to poor iron levels, scurvy, low blood levels, and an increased risk of infections and influenza.
• A lack of vitamins D and K are both associated with bone diseases like osteoporosis and rickets, along with muscle loss and weakness. While vitamin D deficiency also disturbs sleep, energy levels, and cognition, vitamin K deficiency leads to hemorrhaging and a lack of wound repair.
• Low levels of iron will lead to blood-related disorders like anemia and cause impaired growth and lack of strength in young kids.
• Magnesium and potassium deficiency causes respiratory, nerve-related, and cardiovascular complications in kids.
• Calcium deficiency also plays tag with vitamins D and K, causing complications of blood clotting factor, weak or brittle bones, and impaired heart and muscle function.
• A zinc deficiency is uncommon but can lead to vitamin A depletion in the body, along with impaired immunity and stunted development in kids.
• Iodine deficiency causes hypothyroidism, goiter, and other hormonal disorders in children, inviting a host of health issues in lieu.
• It is difficult to determine a deficiency of a trace mineral unless absolutely absent from one’s diet. As these elements have special properties, like anticancer and anti-stress benefits, it is ideal to include them in your kid's daily diet without fail to avoid missing out on these wonderful pharmacological properties.

Conclusion

You do not need to go out of your way to incorporate micronutrients into your kid’s diet to avoid deficiencies and their severe impact on their development and strength. All you need to do is make sure they consume a healthy and balanced diet filled with whole foods and certain fortified, healthy products, like milk and eggs, to gain maximum nutrition and be protected from deficiencies and diseases.