Stress, intensive exercise, and regular consumption of refined sugar and carbohydrates are other common factors that deplete the body of magnesium. It's important to remember that children are also affected by stress and worry, and they often have a diet that is too high in sugar and refined carbs.
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.
Magnesium deficiency in healthy people is rare but it can be caused by: a poor diet (especially in elderly people or those who don't have enough to eat) type 2 diabetes. digestive problems such as Crohn's disease.
Sprays, oils, lotions and flakes provide an easier way to increase your child's magnesium intake. Absorbing magnesium through the skin allows it to enter the body and bloodstream quickly, bypassing the digestive system where many nutrients, including magnesium, are poorly absorbed.
The use of chemicals, such as fluoride and chlorine, bind to magnesium, making the water supply low in the mineral, as well. Common substances — such as sugar and caffeine — deplete the body's magnesium levels.
Many medications—such as medications for ADHD—deplete magnesium. So does the intake of alcohol, caffeine and soft drinks.
In the present study, supplementation with Vitamin D and magnesium in children with ADHD decreased conduct problems, social problems, and anxiety/shy scores compared with placebo intake, however, did not affect psychosomatic problems scores, significantly.
ADHD Supplement: Magnesium
A child can safely take 100-300 mg. of elemental magnesium twice daily in the form of magnesium glycinate, citrate, or chelate.
I usually recommend giving magnesium 1-2 hours before bed. If you notice that your child seems to have a harder time getting to sleep, it might be that they metabolize magnesium at a different rate. And, that's fine! Give it to your child around lunch time to allow more time to process it.
Chronic magnesium deficiency is often associated with normal serum magnesium despite deficiency in cells and in bone; the response to oral supplementation is slow and may take up to 40 weeks to reach a steady state.
In addition, research has shown that children with ADHD just don't eat enough in general to get enough magnesium from their diet. Their dietary intakes of magnesium are low according to research, with 72% of children with ADHD showing low levels.
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.
Many children don't eat enough magnesium-rich food, and as a result, they're deficient in magnesium. Magnesium for kids supports so many aspects of their growth and development, and a deficiency severely impacts their health.
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 for Relaxation and Sleep
Some small studies8 have shown that adding magnesium supplements decreases some symptoms of ADHD. Magnesium certainly helps with sleep and relaxation — big challenges for adults and children with ADHD — and should be discussed with your doctor.
Clinically, I've found magnesium to be very helpful in treating children who are experiencing anxiety and elevated stress.
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.
Studies have shown that children with an iron deficiency find it more difficult to focus and perform well in school. Some research has shown that ADHD in children is associated with nutrient deficiencies in zinc, iron, and magnesium, along with other nutrients.
ADHD brains have low levels of a neurotransmitter called norepinephrine. Norepinephrine is linked arm-in-arm with dopamine. Dopamine is the thing that helps control the brain's reward and pleasure center.
As you know, one trademark of ADHD is low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine — a chemical released by nerve cells into the brain. Due to this lack of dopamine, people with ADHD are "chemically wired" to seek more, says John Ratey, M.D., professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School in Boston.