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. Magnesium also promotes GABA.
Magnesium before bed can help your child feel more relaxed and can start to calm down overstimulating or hyperactive behavior, too! Does your child struggle with constipation? This discomfort can feel a lot more intense for your child, and can disrupt sleep.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
Ideal for kids to help with sleep, growing pains and ADD. Directions: Children (1-3 years) - 1/4 teaspoon daily. Children (4-8 years) - 1/2 teaspoon daily.
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 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.
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.
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.
Finally, supplementing vitamins B and C can also help alleviate ADD and ADHD symptoms. Vitamin C, like zinc, iron, and magnesium, is used to produce neurotransmitters like dopamine. Additionally, vitamin B deficiency is linked to irritability and fatigue in children.
One of the benefits of magnesium for children is the fact that magnesium helps in relaxing your children's muscles and calming their nervous system in preparation for sleep. This mineral is often used as a sleep supplement to assist in drifting off for a peaceful night.
Magnesium plays two important roles in the brain, which may contribute to these symptoms: It blocks the activity of more stimulating neurotransmitters and binds to calming receptors, resulting in a more peaceful, resting state.
Agitation, irritability, poor self control, reduced attention span, hyperactivity and a hair-trigger temper can occur with low magnesium. Magnesium works as a natural sedative and helps the brain calm down from stress and stimulation. It's a natural “chill pill.”
Melatonin vs Magnesium for Sleep
Magnesium helps regulate muscle relaxation, hormone production, inflammation levels, and energy metabolism, all contributing to better sleep quality. Meanwhile, melatonin helps reset your internal body clock, so you can fall asleep quickly and stay asleep for extended periods.
How long does it take for magnesium to reduce anxiety? In most cases, magnesium starts working within a week, since it's a fast-acting nutrient. You need to take it consistently to reduce anxiety and help you relax.
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.
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.
Magnesium deficiency is diagnosed via a blood test and sometimes a urine test. Your doctor may order the blood test if you have symptoms such as weakness, irritability, abnormal heart rhythm, nausea and/or diarrhoea, or if you have abnormal calcium or potassium levels.
Not recommended for children under 4. Consult your child's pediatrician before using this product if your child has kidney problems or an obstructed bowel, or currently taking medication or has a medical condition. This product may have a laxative effect. Store in a cool, dark and dry place.
Natural Calm Kids Calm is identical to our adult formula but provides dosing for ages 1 - 18 on the label. Kids will love the natural Raspberry-Lemon flavour, parents will love that it contains no sugar, artificial sweeteners, fake flavours or dyes.
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.