What’s inside this article: A quick look at what magnesium is, how our body uses it, why it’s important, the benefits of using a magnesium supplement including how it helps improve self-regulation, and how to choose the best magnesium supplement for kids.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.
What if a simple vitamin with breakfast in the morning could improve self-regulation for your struggling child?
Well, a growing body of research supports the premise that a magnesium supplement can help children with self-regulation, relaxation, and sleep.
It’s already well-known in the medical world that magnesium is crucial for brain activity; however, some experts believe magnesium supplements could be a breakthrough in the field of anxiety, relaxation, and sleep.
What is Magnesium?
Magnesium is one of the most common minerals on earth – it’s a macronutrient.
This means the body uses magnesium in large quantities and needs to receive adequate magnesium intake every single day.
Over 600 cellular reactions throughout our bodies use magnesium, and every single cell and organ needs it to function properly.
So it’s pretty crazy to believe, but an estimated 72% of people are magnesium deficient.
Why do we all have low magnesium? Well, if your diet contains white sugar, white bread, or white rice you probably aren’t getting enough magnesium because these foods deplete your magnesium levels.
Do your children eat any of those processed foods? Or are they a picky eater?
A magnesium supplement can boost their body’s levels of this macronutrient to a healthy range.
Signs of Magnesium Deficiency
Some signs of magnesium deficiency include:
- Restlessness
- Hyperactivity
- Meltdowns
- Impaired social skills
- Noise sensitivity
- Teeth grinding
- Irritability
- Aggressiveness
Did you know that “growing pains” and cramps could also be the result of low magnesium?
Magnesium Supplement Benefits:
There are a number of benefits to taking a magnesium supplement, here are a few:
Magnesium for Sleep:
Magnesium regulates the hormone melatonin, which guides sleep-wake cycles in your body.
It also binds to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors.
GABA is the neurotransmitter responsible for quieting down nerve activity. Sleep drugs, like Ambien, target the same neurotransmitters.
Magnesium for Self-Regulation
Magnesium helps self-regulation by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, this is the system responsible for getting you calm and relaxed.
This is known as the “relaxation response,” and it can be thought of as the “antidote” to a meltdown when the fight or flight response is triggered.
This system has to work particularly hard after the body’s fight or flight instinct is activated because it’s working to return everything back to “normal,” otherwise known as homeostasis.
The process requires enormous amounts of magnesium, so if your child struggles with emotional regulation, their body may need more magnesium than usual.
Homeostasis is the self-regulation of the internal conditions within cells and whole organisms, such as temperature, water, and sugar levels.
This keeps cells and organisms functioning at optimal levels even when challenged by internal and external changes.
Homeostasis is essential for achieving emotional self-regulation.
Other Benefits of Magnesium:
Since it plays a role in so many processes in our bodies, there are many other benefits to magnesium supplementation, too.
- Fights inflammation
- Relieves constipation
- Improves concentration
- Boosts brain function
- Supports bone and teeth health
- Aids digestion and absorption of other essential nutrients
- Improves mood
Magnesium for Kids with ADHD and/or Autism
There are over 20 peer-reviewed studies on magnesium and vitamin B6 (we need B6 to absorb magnesium) for autism, including 12 double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, making it one of the most studied nutritional treatments for autism. And those nutritional benefits are great for ADHD too.
Research Findings on Magnesium Supplements for Kids with ADHD/ASD
Studies have determined that children with ADHD and ASD have low magnesium levels, which is linked to a genetic defect in magnesium transport among cells in the body.
That means children with these diagnoses may need more magnesium than what is typical to keep cell functions working as normal because their bodies are using up magnesium more quickly.
Researchers found that taking a magnesium-B6 supplement daily over 3 weeks restored magnesium levels to a normal range and that it significantly reduced the clinical symptoms of autism and ADHD. (Source)
Best Magnesium Supplement for Kids
If you’re looking for a high-quality yet affordable magnesium supplement, my recommendation is ChildCalm from Advanced Nutrition by Zahler.
Their product is superior to other brands for a number of reasons, which I’ve broken down below.
But, first of all, this supplement was developed specifically to help children with self-regulation.
It’s not a magic fix – it provides external support to help children use self-regulating tools and exercises they’ve been taught.
It’s important that your child’s body has enough magnesium to ensure their brains and bodies are functioning normally so they can meet their own potential to self-regulate efficiently.
Advanced Nutrition by Zahler uses the highest-quality ingredients available in all of their supplements.
Also, it’s a chewable tablet rather than a gummy. I’ve had some parents reach out recently looking for alternatives to gummies due to dental concerns.
What’s in ChildCalm?
ChildCalm combines the benefits of Magnesium and Vitamin B6 with other natural remedies believed to improve mood and self-regulation.
The ingredients include:
- Affron: Affron, an extract from the saffron crocus, has been clinically trialed and demonstrated safety and efficacy in reducing both anxiety and mild depressive symptoms.
- SunTheanine: SunTheanine is identical to amino acids found in green tea, a common calming aid. SunTheanine supports a calm and focused state of mind in both children and adults.
- Lemon Balm Extract: ChildCalm also contains Lemon Balm Extract, an herb traditionally used to help with relaxation in children and adults. ChildCalm is not sedative. Yet because it supports a natural state of quietude, it can help those children that have a hard time falling asleep.
Better Absorption than Other Magnesium Supplements
The most common forms of magnesium in supplements are Magnesium Oxide and Magnesium Citrate.
ChildCalm, however, uses Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate, patented under the name TRAACS®
This is a superior form of magnesium.
Magnesium Bisglycinate has superior absorption. A 4-arm, crossover study found that serum levels of magnesium over an 8-hour period were the highest for Magnesium Bisglycinate, followed in order by dimagnesium malate, buffered magnesium Bisglycinate, and magnesium oxide.
Glycine, the amino acid in magnesium bisglycinate, helps decrease the pH of the small intestine, which improves Magnesium Bisglycinate’s solubility and absorbability.
ChildCalm Reviews:
From Amazon:
“I don’t normally write reviews… in fact, I think this is only my third one, and I’ve been an Amazon customer since the very beginning… but, I felt like a review was definitely in order for this product.
My 8-year-old boy who was diagnosed at a young age with Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD – specifically struggles with making appropriate social and behavioral decisions and would often get in trouble at school for not listening, not cooperating, hurting other students, etc…
I send him to school with one ChildCalm tablet in his lunchbox and then when he gets home from after-school care, he takes one more ChildCalm and 100mg GABA.
I couldn’t believe it, but, my son is now CHATTY! He’s able to verbalize his opinions and use his words instead of getting frustrating and making poor decisions – this is something he has always struggled with. He’s having PERFECT days at school AND after-school care…
It’s such a noticeable difference and it happened almost right away for him. The school reports back about their surprise with his newly-found communication skills and even praise how caring of others he’s become.
We’ve been following the regimen above for about a month now and couldn’t be happier. I have never been more pleased with a product and truly hope that it continues to offer a safe and reliable alternative for my son.”
Where to Buy ChildCalm?
ChildCalm is Available on Amazon. View the product page here.
Common Questions About Magnesium
Does magnesium help anxiety?
Researchers found that feelings of “fear and panic” were reduced significantly in individuals struggling with anxiety disorders when taking a daily magnesium supplement.
Is magnesium safe?
Magnesium supplements are generally very safe when taken according to dosage recommendations on the label. As a macronutrient, our bodies need magnesium daily. However, if you have concerns, discuss them with your child’s doctor before you begin giving them a magnesium supplement.
When should you take a magnesium supplement?
Magnesium supplements can be taken at any time of day. Some people prefer to take their supplements in the morning, with breakfast, while others find taking them before bedtime helps with sleep. Either way, try to take it consistently, and with water or food.
How long does it take for a magnesium supplement to work?
The effects of magnesium are felt when the body reaches a healthy magnesium level. Different people notice improvements at different times. In some instances, people report feeling calmer within one day, while others report it taking 2-3 weeks.
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is the right magnesium supplement and teaching the right self-regulation skills drastically improves self-regulation for many children.
almost everybody is magnesium deficient, and it’s a crucial macronutrient that every single cell in our bodies needs to function properly.
Supplementing with magnesium can help your child sleep better, stay calm, focus at school, fight inflammation, support bone and teeth health, aid digestion, and boost brain health.
It’s a no-brainer that your child (and probably you too) will benefit from taking magnesium daily.
