This is the benefit of vitamin C for children
KONTAN.CO.ID – Some people take vitamin C to fight the flu. However, many parents also provide vitamin C intake to children to increase endurance.
But did you know, vitamin C is very important for children’s health, not to prevent flu, but to prevent scurvy during the growing period of the child?
Also Read: These are foods that can increase the body’s immunity
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a vitamin found in certain food sources, such as citrus fruits, berries, potatoes, and bell peppers.
Vitamin C is important in the formation of:
1. Collagen, blood vessels, cartilage, and muscles, thus helping to maintain the integrity of many body tissues, including skin.
2. Neurotransmitters, chemicals that are important for signaling in the nervous system.
3. Carnitine, a chemical that supports the transportation and breakdown of fatty acids to produce energy.
In addition, vitamin C is essential for the maintenance of overall body health, which is a high concentration seen in immune cells.
This raises the possibility that vitamin C is an immune-boosting agent, although the mechanism is not clear.
What is the effect if you are deficient in vitamin C?
Diagnosis of vitamin C deficiency requires special blood tests, but the main condition for known vitamin C deficiency is scurvy symptoms, such as bruising, bleeding gums, and fatigue.
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Scurvy or scurvy was discovered by the ancient Egyptians, the leading cause of death during long boat trips in the era of the industrial revolution. Because vitamin C is important for collagen formation, the symptoms of scurvy are related to the improper deposition of collagen, a major structural protein found in skin and other connective tissue.
People with scurvy usually have small brown spots on the skin, crusting, thickening of the gums, and bleeding from the mucous membranes.
They may also feel weak or uncomfortable, emotional changes, poor wound healing, bone pain, and be at a later stage of risk of jaundice, nerve involvement, and convulsions.
Vitamin C deficiency is rare in children in developed countries, unless they have severe intestinal malabsorption or poor dietary practices that avoid vitamin C sources.
Scurvy is still seen in developing countries, because it is linked to malnutrition. The problem is that the human body cannot form or produce vitamin C, so the body depends on external sources of vitamin C, such as tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, and kiwi, which are the best sources of vitamin C.
Vitamin C is also available as an oral supplement, but over-the-counter sources of the vitamin should be carefully researched before regular consumption.
As reported by the Cleveland clinic, the main function of optimizing vitamin C intake in children is not actually for the prevention of flu, but to prevent scurvy, especially in children at risk, such as those who are malnourished, have limited food choices or are at risk of malabsorption.
Many studies have discussed the benefits of vitamin C in preventing the common cold. This topic has been extensively researched, and nearly all of the evidence suggests that vitamin C does not prevent or help treat the common cold.
Overall, vitamin C is an important nutrient that may have immune-boosting effects, and it appears safe to take as a supplement.
However, if parents still choose to give vitamin C to their children to reduce the duration of the flu, it is better to consult their pediatrician about this.
Also Read: These fruits and vegetables are high in vitamin C
This article was published on Kompas.com with the title “Vitamin C intake in children is not to prevent flu”,
Editor: Bestari Kumala Dewi
