5 Reasons Why Your Child Needs Magnesium
While magnesium is sometimes overlooked when discussing children’s health, we mustn’t forget its essential role in their development. Magnesium, a powerful mineral that supports the body’s key functions, can significantly impact a child’s physical and mental well-being, which is exactly why you must always ensure your child gets enough of it.
From bone growth to energy production, let’s discuss the key benefits of this mineral and how it can improve your child’s quality of life.
Healthy Bone Development
When you think about strong bones, milk and calcium are probably the first things that come to your mind. But did you know that without magnesium, calcium can build up in the soft tissue and cause various health complications?
Magnesium works hand in hand with calcium and helps it get properly absorbed in the bones, meaning that it’s just as important for building and maintaining healthy bones. While magnesium is necessary throughout our whole lives, it’s especially needed by young children when their bones are rapidly developing. This mineral is also essential for maintaining bone density, which reduces the risk of fractures and supports overall skeletal health.
We all know children can be picky and might not eat as much magnesium-rich foods as necessary. This is exactly where dietary supplements come in! Even though it can’t fully replace a well-balanced diet, kids’ magnesium can be perfect for a child who doesn’t eat enough leafy greens or nuts.
Relaxation and Sleep
We’re sure you know just how important sleep hygiene is for a child’s health and mood. What you might not know, though, is how important magnesium is for proper sleep. Magnesium calms the nervous system – it helps regulate certain neurotransmitters that are responsible for relaxing the body. Consequently, kids who lack magnesium might experience difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep through the night.
Magnesium also works by regulating cortisol, more commonly known as the “stress hormone”, and producing melatonin, the sleep hormone. So, if your child has trouble winding down before bed, consider boosting their magnesium intake through food sources like bananas or dietary supplements.
Energy Production
Magnesium is essential in converting the food we eat into usable energy. It helps break down carbs, fats, and proteins and turns them into fuel for the body’s cells. Kids need plenty of energy to keep up with school and their lives outside the classroom, so they must always get enough magnesium to avoid feeling sluggish and lacking the energy they need for their daily activities.
If your child frequently feels tired or struggles to keep up with their daily responsibilities, it might be worth increasing their magnesium intake. Magnesium for kids is an excellent alternative for picky eaters, helping ensure they’re getting enough energy to stay alert during the day.
Strong Immune System
Magnesium also helps activate enzymes that support the immune response and reduce inflammation in the body, thus playing a vital role in keeping your child’s immune system strong. Not only does it make fighting off infections easier, but it can also reduce the severity of common viruses due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Does your child seem to catch every cold that goes around? A lack of magnesium might be the cause of their weakened immune system. While a balanced diet filled with fruits and vegetables is the best way to support your child’s immune health, supplements may help fill in the gaps, especially during flu season.
Muscle and Nerve Function
Magnesium prevents cramps, spasms, and muscle weakness by regulating muscle contractions and nerve signaling. This means that this mineral contributes to muscle and nerve function, two critical areas for a child’s development and activities. Kids, especially active ones, will benefit from adequate magnesium levels, as it ensures that the muscles contract and relax properly. Because of its role in nerve signaling, magnesium also helps support motor skills and cognitive development.
If your child complains of muscle aches after sports or activities, it might not just be overexertion; it might be time to incorporate more magnesium into their diet. Magnesium supplements can also complement the benefits of the B vitamin complex—together, these nutrients support energy production and maintain nerve health.
Final Thoughts
Magnesium is an essential mineral that supports your child’s overall well-being in countless ways. From proper nerve function to energy production, magnesium plays an important role in various processes, helping children sleep better, be energetic throughout the day, and keep their immune systems in perfect shape.
While a well-rounded diet, regular exercise, and proper medical care are still the best options for staying healthy, introducing supplements designed for kids can be perfect for ensuring that even the pickiest eaters get the amount of magnesium they need for development. You can pair your magnesium supplements with iron gummies or B vitamins, as they’re also vital for energy production. Iron is necessary for carrying oxygen throughout the body, while B vitamins are essential for supporting metabolism.
But don’t forget to consult your primary healthcare provider before starting any new supplement – carefully follow dosage instructions and ask your doctor if you have any doubts. By choosing the right balance of nutrients, you’ll be setting your child up for a healthy and active life.
