Young children are encouraged to supplement iron and calcium. These micronutrients support red blood cell production, bone and teeth development, and a strong immune system. Adequate intake ensures comprehensive growth and reduces the risk of iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia.
A 6-year-old child typically requires about 700 mg of calcium and 9 mg of iron daily. Prioritize natural micronutrients from food sources. Doctors only recommend synthetic supplements when essential.
If you suspect your child has iron-deficiency anemia, seek specialized tests for diagnosis, severity assessment, and treatment. Doctors may also use an InBody 770 machine for body composition analysis and high-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) technology for micronutrient testing. Based on these results, a doctor will advise on diet and prescribe necessary supplements tailored to the child's condition.
Parents should not administer long-term micronutrient supplements without a doctor's guidance. Avoid consuming calcium-rich foods like milk, dairy products, seafood, soybeans, and nuts immediately before or after taking iron supplements. Similarly, limit beef, chicken, salmon, tuna, kale, broccoli, and cereals close to calcium intake.
Administering both supplements simultaneously is ineffective and can be counterproductive. Both calcium and iron are absorbed in the small intestine through DMT1, a protein that transports minerals to cells. When consumed together, calcium can inhibit iron metabolism.
This prolonged absorption interference risks serum ferritin deficiency in children. Serum ferritin, a protein, helps assess the body's iron stores. If a child is truly iron deficient, this interaction can worsen their condition. Over time, children may experience increased appetite loss, poor concentration, fatigue, and delayed physical development.
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A doctor examines a young child. Illustration: Tam Anh General Hospital |
Recommendations suggest children take calcium and iron at different times of the day, or at least 2 hours apart. For a 6-year-old, calcium intake is encouraged in the morning, along with drinking 1,3-1,5 liters of water daily. Iron supplements should follow 2 hours after lunch, or vice versa.
Food can impede metabolic function, making an empty stomach the ideal time for iron absorption, approximately 2 hours before or after a meal. Additionally, supplementing with orange juice, lemon, or other vitamin C-rich fruits can enhance iron absorption in children.
Take calcium in the morning or at noon, ideally after a meal. During these hours, the body is active and exposed to natural vitamin D from sunlight, which effectively supports calcium synthesis. Avoid taking calcium in the late afternoon or evening. Its tendency to precipitate and accumulate can form calcium oxalate, increasing the risk of kidney stones and constipation.
Master, Doctor Nguyen Anh Duy Tung
Specialist in Nutrition and Dietetics
Tam Anh General Clinic District 7
