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Magnesium & Children

Magnesium is an essential mineral to the human diet affecting the function of every organ in the body, but only 55 percent of people age 2 and older meet average daily requirements for magnesium.

  1. Deficiency

    • Medical conditions cause most low magnesium levels in children. Intestinal influenza, irritable bowel disease, diabetes and excessive caffeine reduce magnesium levels. Children feel anxious, have insomnia, low blood pressure and poor nail growth.

    Treatment

    • Offer children food rich in magnesium, including dairy products, tofu, legumes, blackstrap molasses, leafy greens, peanuts, pine nuts, and pumpkin and squash seeds or over-the-counter supplements.

    Significance

    • Asthma symptoms improved in children with moderate to severe disease, according to a September 2009 study.

    Daily Intake

    • The recommended daily allowance for children age 3 and younger is 40 to 80 mg; for those ages 4 to 6 years old, it is 120 mg; for 7 to 10 year olds it's 170 mg; for adolescent males it is 270 to 400 mg; and for adolescent females it is 280 to 300 mg.

    Warnings

    • Check with a physician before supplementing, because it can lower effectiveness of antibiotics and other medications. Excessive magnesium intake can cause nausea, upset stomach, vomiting and diarrhea.

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