Yes, deficiency can also impact behaviour! Other symptoms of magnesium deficiency include moodiness (like irritability or hyperactivity), difficulty concentrating, insomnia, and anxiety (6). Studies have shown higher intakes of magnesium to be associated with improvements in the behaviours above (7).
Magnesium Improves ADHD Behaviors
In one study, after eight weeks of Vitamin D and magnesium supplementation, the blood levels of these nutrients increased significantly, which resulted in a significant decrease in conduct problems, social problems, and anxiety and shy scores.
You'll often hear magnesium being referred to as the calming or relaxing mineral. This is because it has an overall calming effect on the nervous system. So when our kids are wound up, hyperactive or irritable, it can help relieve the symptoms.
Ensuring a child has the correct level of magnesium leads to benefits including: helping with sleep, mood, concentration, energy levels, bone and teeth health, blood sugar levels, bowel regulation, immune system, digestion and absorption of other essential nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D.
Vitamin D and magnesium supplementation in children with ADHD was effective on conduct problems, social problems, and anxiety/shy scores compared with placebo intake but did not affect psychosomatic problems scores, significantly.
ADHD Supplement: Magnesium
This mineral won't directly improve attention, but it can calm hyperactivity and agitation, which compromise attention. I find magnesium helpful for children who have a “rebound effect” after their stimulant medication wears off.
People with ADHD often lack magnesium and zinc and supplement of these vitamins may improve hyperactivity, impulsivity, attention and memory. Several studies have shown that, at large, people with ADHD have less magnesium (Mg) and zinc (Zn) in their bodies than the control groups that don't have ADHD.
Initially, signs of magnesium deficiency in children are loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and weakness. When deficiency is severe, symptoms can include numbness, tingling, muscle spasms or cramps, and severe symptoms related to irregular heartbeats and seizures.
The tolerable upper intake level for magnesium in supplement form is 65 mg per day for children ages 1 to 3, and 110 mg per day for children ages 4 to 8. That's the maximum amount of magnesium added to a normal daily diet considered safe by the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine.
In addition to what you get from food, the highest dose you should take of magnesium supplements is: 65 mg/day for children ages 1-3. 110 mg/day for children ages 4-8. 350 mg/day for adults and children ages 9 and up.
“Many forms of magnesium are appropriate for kids, but I typically recommend magnesium citrate,” Evans says. “It is cost-effective and more easily absorbed than many other forms.” Natural Calm Kids is made with magnesium citrate.
Magnesium L Threonate (or magnesium citrate in those who can only take gummies) are the preparations that has been most studied and show the highest benefit for ADHD, cognition, mood, and anxiety.
Vitamin B is essential for the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin which regulates mood and behavior.
Sufficient magnesium is important to help maintain levels of serotonin, the mood regulating hormone and is essential for kids suffering with temper tantrums. Zinc. Zinc is an important mineral. It is necessary for many systems, including the brain, immune and gut.
Although children with ADHD may be more likely to have lower levels of vitamin D, zinc, magnesium, and iron, it cannot be stated that these lower levels caused ADHD. However, supplementing areas of deficiency may be a safe and justified intervention.
The recommended dietary intake of magnesium for children aged 4 to 8 is 130mg and older siblings aged 9 to 13 should have 240mg each day. Other signs of deficiency in children include restlessness, teeth grinding and sensitivity to noise.
Magnesium also assists with the activation of Vitamin D and calcium (told you these ones were important!) to help keep your child's bones nice and strong. Magnesium is also super important for keeping the heart beating properly, preventing tooth decay, and supporting the immune system when it's under stress.
Magnesium deficiency can lead to mental health symptoms like apathy and lack of emotion. In severe cases, it can cause delirium and coma. Studies have shown that magnesium deficiency may be associated with depression and anxiety.
A lack of vitamins B12 and B6 can lead to hyperactivity. Supplementing with B vitamins helps improve ADHD symptoms in children who are deficient.
ADHD is associated with abnormally low levels of the neurotransmitters transmitting between the prefrontal cortical area and the basal ganglia i.e., dopamine and noradrenaline. Dopamine is closely associated with reward centers in the brain, and also interacts with other potent neurotransmitters to regulate mood.
Adults with ADHD
let off steam by exercising regularly. find ways to help you relax, such as listening to music or learning breathing exercises for stress. if you have a job, speak to your employer about your condition, and discuss anything they can do to help you work better.