All women know that magnesium is essential during pregnancy. But few mothers understand how great the value of this macroelement for the body of an already born child. In this article, we will tell you in what situations children especially need it, how to determine the state of deficiency of this element in a child, in which products to look for magnesium and what drugs exist for children.
Benefits for children and adolescents
Magnesium is a macronutrient that takes an active part in a variety of metabolic processes in the human body. It is extremely important for the correct functioning of the nervous system, both in an adult and in a newborn. Without this element, it is difficult to imagine the smooth operation of the heart and blood vessels.
It is necessary for digestion, it is necessary for metabolic processes, for the formation of bone tissue, as it improves the absorption of calcium. The amount of magnesium in the body depends on how energetic the child will be, since the macronutrient takes part in the production of energy during the breakdown of glucose.
If we translate the name of the substance from Latin, we get the word "great". It is this concept that perfectly characterizes the importance of magnesium both for infants and a one-year-old child, and for preschoolers, and especially for adolescents who have entered the age of active puberty.
Any adaptive period (getting used to the outside world after birth, starting attending kindergarten or school, puberty) is closely related to stress, which significantly increases the child's need for magnesium.
It improves the transmission of nerve impulses from the brain to muscle tissue and vice versa, lowers blood pressure and strengthens the vascular walls. The heart rate is normalized. Nervous processes are regulated and become more balanced, due to which hyperactive children become calmer, and inhibited children more active. In adolescence, the macronutrient allows the child to maintain a stable emotional background.
Indications for use
It should be noted that additional intake of magnesium with food or drugs is necessary for children and adolescents in the event that they have a lack of this macronutrient. In addition, it is recommended to take it in the following situations:
- postoperative period;
- the presence of diabetes mellitus;
- ailments of the digestive system;
- recovery after treatment with long-term use of diuretic drugs, diuretics and laxatives;
- the child has severe chronic stress, during the period of recovery from a stressful situation, as well as in case of sudden mood swings, memory impairment and academic performance;
- osteoporosis;
- baldness, hair loss, brittle nails;
- a state of chronic fatigue, for example, when preparing for a competition or for exams;
- severe premenstrual syndrome in teenage girls, painful menstruation;
- arrhythmia, angina pectoris and other heart ailments;
- muscle pain, spasms, cramps;
- sleep disturbances, insomnia;
- taking anti-cancer drugs.
In addition, magnesium can be prescribed by a doctor for conditions of general vitamin deficiency in children.
Deficiency symptoms
Parents may well guess that the child has a lack of magnesium in the body on their own, but a biochemical blood test will help to accurately answer this question, which can be done in any children's clinic. The laboratory will establish the content of the substance in the blood, which will enable the doctor to accurately determine whether there is a deficiency state and how serious it is.
The signs by which one can judge about a possible lack of a macronutrient are as follows:
- the child sleeps a normal amount of time, but does not get enough sleep, feels "overwhelmed", tired, falls asleep in class, on transport on the way to school or kindergarten;
- the child's skin becomes dry, nails break easily, hair falls out, breaks when combing and just like that. Children with a magnesium deficiency often have caries, gum disease;
- the child often has a headache;
- heart rhythm disturbances - arrhythmia, tachycardia, bradycardia both at rest and after physical exertion;
- in children, thermoregulation is disturbed - the baby complains about the cold in the warmth, about the heat. He has cool and slightly damp feet and palms;
- the baby becomes very sensitive to changes in weather conditions. Before rain or snowfall, he may complain of pain in the legs, arms, muscles;
- the child shows signs of increased excitability, he often cries, suffers from sudden changes in mood, falls into depression for no reason, demonstrates phobias that were not previously observed - he is afraid of the dark, loud sounds, heights and loneliness, etc.;
- the child does not sleep well - cannot fall asleep, sleeps anxiously, sees nightmares, wakes up in sweat;
- school performance falls, the child memorizes the curriculum worse, loses interest in the learning process.
The reasons why magnesium deficiency develops in a child's body can be varied. First of all, a shortage threatens children whose diet is low in foods containing this macronutrient. If the child eats too much protein food, foods high in calcium, phosphorus, then the absorption of magnesium deteriorates. In a state of stress, energy is consumed more, therefore, more substances are required to replenish the body's energy reserves.
Children who lead a sedentary lifestyle are more likely to suffer from magnesium deficiency than active and mobile children. And young professional athletes may experience a lack of substance during periods of intense training and excitement before the upcoming important competitions.
If a child often visits the sauna and bathhouse, if he has just returned from a resort where he was in a hot climate, or lives in a region with a hot climate, he definitely needs an additional intake of magnesium, since such children in 95% of cases lack it.
Daily dose for children
The daily requirement for a chemical element directly depends on the age of the child. The norm for a newborn and toddler up to six months is only 40 mg per day. Children from six months to one year need more energy, they become more mobile and emotional, and therefore they need a dosage of at least 60 mg per day. For children from 1 to 3 years old, the daily consumption rate rises to 80 mg. A preschooler aged 3-6 years needs 120 mg per day. A schoolchild from 7 to 10 years old - 170 mg per day. At the very beginning of puberty (10-14 years), a child needs at least 270 mg of magnesium per day. At this age, the need for the element is increased. Teenagers from 14 to 18 years old already need at least 400 mg per day, but after that the need decreases. Adults need magnesium to a lesser extent, with the exception of periods of pregnancy and breastfeeding.
In this case (as with most other minerals and vitamins), more does not mean better. Magnesium overdose is very dangerous, its consequences can be very negative. A laboratory blood test will help to recognize an excess, as well as a deficiency. In everyday life, the symptoms of an excess are as follows:
- vomiting;
- apathy, depression, depression;
- lethargy;
- diarrhea;
- labored breathing;
- violation of the heartbeat, slowing down of the heart rate.
Products with element content
In the human body, magnesium is not synthesized at all. Therefore, it must necessarily be present in food and drinks that are included in the diet. If there are few such products, then a magnesium deficiency is inevitable. Where to find magnesium? First of all, in products of plant origin. But you should know that when pickling vegetables and herbs, when canning and pasteurizing, the magnesium content even in a product rich in this element is reduced by almost 75%.
To make a child a correct, magnesium-rich diet, you need to include bran in it, best of all rice, they contain the maximum macronutrient content. Also, the menu for a baby and a teenager should include:
- wheat germ;
- soy;
- buckwheat;
- oat groats;
- rice;
- beans.
Sunflower seeds and nuts can also provide enough of the element, especially pumpkin seeds, brazil nuts, and hazelnuts. The least amount of magnesium, oddly enough, is found in walnuts. When choosing vegetables and fruits, you need to know that where chlorophyll is present, there is always much more magnesium. Therefore, it is imperative to add a large amount of fresh greens to the child's diet. The leader in terms of the number of elements is watermelon. It is followed by parsley, spinach, dill. A large amount of the substance is found in dried apricots and raisins. But apples and bananas, contrary to popular belief, contain the least of this macronutrient.
Foods such as:
- crab meat;
- seaweed;
- squid;
- herring ivashi;
- Tofu cheese.
There is little magnesium in milk and dairy products, so there is no point in increasing their consumption in the hope of replenishing the magnesium deficiency. But an excellent assistant in this situation will be enriched mineral water with a note on the label about the increased concentration of magnesium.
Drugs
Depending on the dosage and purpose, magnesium on the shelves of pharmacies can be presented in various forms:
- magnesium citrate and malate help in solving problems at the cellular level, with metabolic disorders, to improve and replenish the body's energy reserves;
- magnesium oxide is used to solve delicate problems with constipation and intestinal symptoms;
- magnesium aspartate is necessary to improve nitrogen metabolism in the body;
- magnesium orotate is needed for cell growth;
- lactate and magnesium sulfate are necessary in situations where it is necessary to normalize the functioning of the heart and intestines.
Preparations are produced in ampoules for injections, in tablets, in the form of powders for the preparation of the so-called liquid magnesium - a solution for oral administration. If a child is shown a long-term intake, then pills are usually prescribed. If you need to quickly normalize an emergency condition, then the drug is administered intravenously or intramuscularly. For the treatment of digestive system problems, powders are considered preferred. But a specific drug, its form (sulfate, citrate or other), dosage and frequency of administration must be prescribed by a doctor.
Spontaneous treatment with magnesium preparations is strictly prohibited.
As for magnesium preparations, today the following are considered the best.
- Magwith - is a capsule, the active ingredient of which is magnesium citrate. The substance content is 350 mg. This means that this form is not suitable for babies, but for teenagers it will be quite acceptable (see the daily requirement for ages above).
- "Doppelgerts Active" - this is a whole line of German drugs such as dietary supplements, which contain magnesium. There is a preparation with potassium and calcium, with Omega-3, with vitamin B6. The substance content is 400 mg.
- "Panangin Forte" - a preparation of potassium and magnesium, produced in tablets. The content of magnesium in this "duet" is 280 mg (form - asparaginate). There is also a solution for injections "Panangin" and tablets of the same name. The substance content in them is 140 mg.
- "Magnelis B6 -forte" - the drug is in tablets with a high content of macronutrients - 470 mg. The form of the substance is lactate. The tool is recommended for children from 6 years old.
- "Kudesan" - means in drops and tablets. Additionally, coenzyme Q10 and vitamin E are introduced into the composition. Drops are recommended for the smallest patients, and tablets for adolescents from 12 years old. The active ingredient is presented in the form of asparaginate, the content is 300 mg.
- "Asparkam" Is a combined product containing magnesium and potassium. The drug is used even for infants if the doctor believes that the child has an obvious magnesium or potassium deficiency. The form of the active substance is asparaginate. The magnesium content is 175 mg.
- "Magnesium B6" Is one of the most popular and well-known drugs. Available in both liquid and solid form. The solution is added to the drink in the dosage recommended by the doctor. Older children can take pills. Also, the product is widely used in the form of a sweet and tasty gel, which children enjoy eating.
- "Magnerot" - magnesium orotate. Available in the form of 500 mg tablets. The drug is usually recommended for adolescents during puberty.
In addition, there are many less well-known, but no less effective means, which include a macroelement, for example, Magnesium Plus, Magnesium Diasporal, Solgar Calcium, Arnebia Magnesium, etc. The substance is also contained in the composition all children's vitamins, milk adapted formulas for baby food. To find out whether this content corresponds to the daily requirement of a child of a certain age, you need to study the composition of the product.
The instructions for use for each specified product contain comprehensive information on the composition, dosage, form of the active substance and age restrictions.
Contraindications
Magnesium should not be considered harmless. This only "ascorbic acid" can be given to the child "in passing", just like that. All drugs containing this macronutrient have a fairly large list of contraindications, and this is another argument in favor of the obligatory consultation with a doctor before taking.
You can not take magnesium when:
- phenylketonuria;
- individual intolerance;
- renal failure;
- conditions associated with dehydration (for example, with prolonged diarrhea or after repeated vomiting);
- intestinal obstruction;
- the appearance of blood in the feces, the development of intestinal bleeding;
- excessive sweating;
- rare pulse.
Special recommendations
The best combination is considered to be a combination of magnesium with vitamin B6. It provides the maximum effect, since this way the macronutrient is better absorbed. If a child takes iron supplements (for anemia, for example), and also separately - calcium supplements, then magnesium will be absorbed much worse. Therefore, you need to take magnesium only 3 hours after taking drugs with calcium or iron. Do not take the medication on an empty stomach or drink anything other than regular drinking water.
The opinion of Dr. Komarovsky
The well-known pediatrician Yevgeny Komarovsky warns parents against the uncontrolled use of magnesium preparations. He considers such funds useful primarily in case of a deficiency of macronutrients in the child's body. If the deficiency is not revealed by the method of examining the child and taking blood from him for biochemical research, then no drug will make the child's sleep stronger, and the behavior more calm. The cause of anxiety, insomnia, constipation must be looked for in something else and treated with other means and drugs.
The prophylactic intake of magnesium also does not seem logical and reasonable to Komarovsky.
If a child receives enough of this substance with food, there is no reason to load his liver and stomach with tablets or solutions, and an excess may also occur.
Reviews
According to mothers' reviews, doctors often prescribe magnesium without preliminary tests, simply on the basis of parental complaints.If this happens, it is imperative to check with the pediatrician whether he is sure that the child has a deficiency of this macronutrient.
Many mothers note that children become more sleepy, and there are cases of allergies.
In the next video, Dr. Komarovsky will talk about which vitamins are best to give to a child (and whether it should be done at all).
