When is the best season for children to supplement calcium

The best seasons for children to supplement calcium are usually spring and autumn. Adequate spring sunshine helps with vitamin D synthesis and promotes calcium absorption; The autumn climate is suitable, children's outdoor activities increase, and there is a strong demand for bone growth. Calcium supplementation should be combined with dietary adjustments and moderate exercise to avoid blind supplementation. In spring, the temperature rises and the intensity of ultraviolet rays is moderate. Children's skin can synthesize sufficient vitamin D by exposing it to sunlight for 15-30 minutes. At this time, the body's metabolism accelerates and the demand for calcium increases significantly. It is recommended to supplement calcium sources through foods such as milk, tofu, sesame paste, etc., while ensuring 1-2 hours of outdoor activity every day. The temperature difference between day and night in autumn is conducive to calcium deposition. At this time, children have a better appetite and can consume more calcium rich ingredients such as cheese, shrimp skin, mustard greens, etc. Calcium supplementation in these two seasons can better match the natural growth patterns of children, with a focus on calcium absorption in spring and calcium utilization in autumn. Although summer has long sunshine hours, high temperatures may affect children's appetite and outdoor activity time, which can easily compromise the effectiveness of calcium supplementation. insufficient sunlight and heavy clothing in winter can reduce the efficiency of skin synthesis of vitamin D, making it difficult to achieve ideal results with simple calcium supplementation. If calcium supplementation is needed during these two seasons, it is recommended to supplement vitamin D preparations appropriately under the guidance of a doctor and pay attention to adjusting indoor activities. During calcium supplementation, excessive intake of vegetables with high oxalic acid content, such as spinach and amaranth, should be avoided to avoid affecting calcium absorption.

Children's calcium supplementation requires long-term persistence, and the demand for calcium varies greatly among different age groups. 1-3 year old children need 500 milligrams of calcium per day, 4-6 year old children need 600 milligrams, and 7-10 year old children need 800 milligrams. In addition to seasonal factors, attention should also be paid to whether children have symptoms of calcium deficiency such as night sweats, delayed teething, and leg cramps. It is recommended to undergo regular bone density testing and develop personalized calcium supplementation plans under the guidance of professional physicians to avoid the risk of constipation or stone formation caused by excessive supplementation. Daily weight bearing exercises such as jumping and running can be combined to stimulate the bone's utilization efficiency of calcium.