According to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body. Half of the magnesium in your body is found in the bone. The remainder is found in the cells of your body and a very small amount is in your blood. Research indicates that children who have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, have low levels of magnesium in their blood. Low levels of magnesium may also increase your child's risk for developing asthma, although magnesium deficiency is rare.
Recommended Dietary Allowance
The recommended dietary allowance for magnesium for children ages one to three years is 80 mg per day. Children ages four to eight years need 130 mg per day. Children nine to 13 years old need 240 mg per day. Adolescent girls between ages 14 and 18 need 360 mg per day and adolescent boys need 410 mg per day. Magnesium can be toxic if too much supplement is taken. The Institute of Medicine lists upper tolerable limits, or UL, for supplements. For children ages one to three years, the UL is 65 mg per day; for children ages four to eight years the UL is 110 mg and for children ages nine to 18 the UL is 350 mg. Always check with your health care provider before giving your child supplements.
Sources of Magnesium
Nuts, legumes, whole grains and dark leafy green vegetables all contain magnesium. Eating a variety of these foods should provide adequate amounts of magnesium. Some water supplies may also contain magnesium. Hard water contains more magnesium than soft water. Supplements are available, but check with your health care provider before giving your child any supplement.
Function of Magnesium
Every organ in the body needs magnesium to function properly. Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in your body. It helps maintain nerve and muscle function, keeps your heart rhythm regular, supports your immune system and keeps your bones strong. It also helps regulate blood sugar and blood pressure, and is involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis.
Deficiency
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, a magnesium deficiency is rare even if you don't get enough in your diet. However, some research indicates that low levels of magnesium are related to some conditions, such as asthma and ADHD. Low levels of magnesium may increase your child's risk for developing asthma. Studies showed that taking intravenous magnesium or magnesium through an inhaler can relieve acute asthma attacks in children.
According to a study in June 1997 in "Magnesium Research", researchers B. Starobrat-Hermelin and associates found that children who had been diagnosed with ADHD had lower levels of magnesium in their blood than children without ADHD. After six months of supplementation, the hyperactivity decreased. (see reference 2)
Member Comments