The importance of magnesium for children
What does a balanced diet for children look like? It often involves vitamins, especially vitamin C for the immune system, or calcium for strong bones as well as plenty of fiber, fruit and vegetables. One mineral that is often overlooked but also plays an important role is magnesium. This blog post reveals what this mineral does and how it can be easily integrated into your children’s diet.
Muscles, nerves, bones: Why your children need magnesium
Magnesium is involved in numerous biochemical processes in the body and is indispensable for children who are in a growth phase. Magnesium is particularly important for muscle function, the nervous system and bone health.
Magnesium is essential for the muscles and is therefore often relevant in connection with physical activity. It helps the muscles to contract and relax properly, which is particularly important if your children are very active and spend a lot of time running around, playing sports or other physical activities. A lack of magnesium can lead to muscle cramps, tiredness or even restlessness and concentration problems. If you notice that your children find it difficult to concentrate or are quickly exhausted, a magnesium deficiency could play a role. This is because the nervous system also benefits enormously from magnesium. It has a calming effect on the nerves and can help to reduce stress levels. This is particularly important in times of high demands, such as at school or under social pressure.
In addition to calcium, magnesium is also an important building block for strong and healthy bones. It supports the incorporation of calcium into the bones and is therefore significantly involved in bone density and stability. Especially in childhood and adolescence, when the bone system is still growing, an adequate intake of magnesium is crucial to prevent problems such as osteoporosis later on.
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The right amount: this is how much magnesium children need
As is so often the case, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of the correct dosage. Magnesium requirements vary depending on age and body size. A guideline for children between the ages of 4 and 8 is around 130 mg of magnesium per day, while older children and adolescents between the ages of 9 and 13 need around 240 mg per day. The recommended intake increases for teenagers aged 14 and over, as their bodies need more of this mineral as they grow. There is no need to worry about overdosing with a normal diet and supplementation according to the package leaflet – the mineral can only have a harmful effect if the dose is significantly too high in the long term. A blood or urine test can be carried out by a pediatrician to determine whether there is a deficiency or excess.
Magnesium on the menu: Magnesium-rich foods
The good thing about magnesium is that it is not difficult to integrate the mineral into the diet. Many healthy and tasty foods naturally contain magnesium, so you can easily incorporate magnesium-rich foods into your children’s daily diet.
Nuts and seeds: Nuts such as almonds, cashews or walnuts are excellent sources of magnesium. They are suitable as a healthy snack between meals or can be mixed into muesli or yogurt. Seeds such as chia seeds, pumpkin seeds or linseed are also rich in magnesium. Mix a tablespoon into a smoothie or porridge and your magnesium intake is covered a little further.
Whole grain products: Wholemeal products such as oatmeal, wholemeal bread or brown rice are not only rich in fiber, but also provide a good portion of magnesium. They can be easily integrated into everyday life – whether as a breakfast porridge, snack or side dish for lunch.
Vegetables and pulses: Green vegetables such as spinach or broccoli and pulses such as lentils and chickpeas are also excellent sources of magnesium. A vegetable stew or a portion of hummus can make a valuable contribution here.
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