Recharge with Magnesium

Written by Lisa Moane, Holistic Nutritionist & Food Scientist, www.holistichealthbylisamoane.com.au

My body was ACHING from doing 3 gym sessions in a row the other day, so I thought it would be the perfect time to try my Recharge Magnesium Flakes. I am not really much of a bath girl, I never seem to have that spare half an hour at the end of the day, and when I do get in the bath I get bored really quickly and can’t wait to get out again. Funnily enough, when I used this bath soak, I checked the time, to make sure I made myself stay in the full 20 minutes, and next time I checked the time 15 minutes had already passed. It was so relaxing! But the best thing was I woke up the next morning and has absolutely zero muscle ache! This is a great demonstration of the fact that magnesium is well absorbed through the skin.

Common signs that people have low magnesium levels are migraines, muscle aches and pains or restless legs. In my clinical nutrition practice I see a lot of children with behavioural issues such as ADHD, which is a classic sign of magnesium deficiency. Other signs are growing pains, and restless legs.

Magnesium is a very important mineral for children. There are 300 different reactions in the body that need magnesium. If your child doesn’t have enough magnesium, these reactions can’t work properly, which means their brains can’t work properly.

Magnesium is needed to make neurotransmitters, which are the chemical messengers in your brain. Not having enough magnesium will cause imbalances in these neurotransmitters, and this can affect mood and attention.

The worst thing is that the medication which children are often put on for ADHD leach magnesium from the body. This causes side effects such as irritability, sleep issues, tics and anxiety! Not what anyone wants for their child!

Studies have shown that about 90% of children with ADHD have a magnesium deficiency.

As magnesium is a very calming nutrient, it is also very good for sleep. Many children suffer from poor sleep, which has a massive knock on effect on their behaviour the next day. By improving their sleep, you automatically improve their behaviour.

It is important to remember that magnesium is not a drug. It might not work straight away. In fact if your child has a real deficiency, it might take months for the magnesium to build up in their body and improve their sleep and behaviour. In my clinical practice, I don’t think I have ever come across a child who doesn’t like the idea of having a nightly magnesium bath, but I meet lots of children who object to taking oral supplements!

So if your child is struggling with sleep or behaviour, add a cup of magnesium flakes to their nightly bath, and be patient. The results will come!