Teenage boys need a significant amount of magnesium in their diets. Magnesium is considered a macronutrient, and teen boys require 410 mg of this important mineral each day. Magnesium is crucial for the health of your teen son's bones, as well as the health of his tissues and organs. This mineral also ensures that your teen son's heart and muscles work properly and that his immune system is strong. Eating plenty of nutritious foods will help your son consume enough, but knowing the signs and symptoms of a magnesium deficiency will help you identify a problem before it causes damage.
Early Signs
If your teen son has just become deficient in magnesium, there are some early signs to look out for that may indicate that he is not getting enough from his food. Your teenage boy may experience a loss of appetite that may or may not be accompanied by vomiting. A magnesium deficiency may also cause your son to be fatigued or experience weakness.
Severe Signs
After time goes by, your teen son may begin to experience more serious signs and symptoms associated with low magnesium. He may begin to experience tingling and numbness and may have cramping in his muscles. Seizures may also occur if magnesium deficiency lasts for a long period of time. Other intermediate signs include personality changes and abnormal heart beat. If your teen son experiences any of these signs, seek medical attention immediately because if they are left untreated, they can be life-threatening.
Long-Term Symptoms
If your teen son has low magnesium that lasts for a long time, he may begin to experience additional mineral deficiencies. Long-term magnesium deficiency can cause low blood calcium levels. A long-term magnesium deficiency may also cause low blood potassium levels. If your teenage boy has chronic low magnesium, it is necessary to work with a doctor to help get his levels back to normal.
Boost Magnesium Intake
Oral magnesium tablets are one way to boost your teen son's magnesium levels by increasing his intake of the mineral significantly. Reducing your son's intake of soda is another important way to increase his levels. Mineral Resources International reports that teen boys are among the largest soda drinkers, which can lead to a magnesium deficiency. Adding magnesium-rich foods to your son's diet is another way to get his levels back to normal. Nuts, halibut, fortified cereal and oatmeal, baked potatoes, yogurt, raisins, wheat germ and beans are all nutritious sources.
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