Which nutrients are linked to growth?

This is general information. For children's diet and supplements, speak to a paediatrician for advice suited to the individual child.

Which nutrients carry growth-related statements?

Under the annex to Thai Ministry of Public Health Notification No. 447 (B.E. 2566), three do:

• Zinc contributes to growth
• Protein contributes to growth and helps repair body tissue
• Vitamin A has a role in body growth

Where does protein come from?

In Thai cooking: meat, fish, eggs, milk, tofu and dried beans.

Variety matters more than quantity from one source, because proteins from different sources supply amino acids in different proportions.

Where does zinc come from?

Red meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, milk, dried beans and pumpkin seeds.

Plant-source zinc is absorbed less well because phytate binds it, so including some animal sources helps in practice.

Where does vitamin A come from?

Liver, egg yolk, milk, and yellow-orange fruit and vegetables supplying beta-carotene, such as pumpkin, carrot, papaya and sweet potato, as well as dark leafy greens.

Beta-carotene is a precursor of vitamin A.

When is food not enough?

That cannot be answered in general, because it depends on what a particular child actually eats across a week. What can be done is to check whether a week contains protein sources, vegetables and fruit, before thinking about supplements.

If you do use a supplement, what should you look at?

What nutrients are in it and at what amount against the reference intake; whether any have an upper intake level, particularly fat-soluble vitamins and minerals; and the allergen information on the label.

Speak to a paediatrician before giving a child any dietary supplement.

Dietary supplements are not intended to prevent, treat or cure any disease.