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Magnesium is a mineral that can help your child sleep better.
Did you know that Magnesium is considered the fourth most abundant mineral in the human body? It’s required for energy production, protein synthesis, and healthy bones and teeth formation.
It is essential for the production of melatonin, a hormone in the brain that regulates sleep-wake cycles.
Magnesium also helps with muscle relaxation and can help to reduce stress and anxiety. Consequently, it is important to know that magnesium deficiency can result in insomnia, anxiety, depression, and muscle cramps.
There are many ways magnesium can help your child sleep better. We are to discuss 6 ways Magnesium can help your child sleep better.
Magnesium Regulates Serotonin Levels
Magnesium is a mineral that is found in many foods, including nuts, seeds, and whole grains. It is also available as a dietary supplement.
Magnesium plays an important role in regulating serotonin levels in the body.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood and sleep patterns. Low levels of serotonin can lead to depression and insomnia.
Magnesium Regulates Mood and Stress
Magnesium is important for a healthy nervous system and good mood, as well as for managing stress. Damage to the nervous system has been linked to numerous health conditions including dementia and depression.
Your mood can also have a big impact on how well you sleep. Anxiety and stress mean increased agitation, which prevents your body from calming down at night.
Magnesium Addresses Irritability and Fatigue
Magnesium is considered a "wonder mineral" as it is necessary for hundreds of different enzymatic reactions in the body. It can help with symptoms such as irritability, depression, and fatigue.
Watch out for your child experiencing chronic fatigue as this can gravely affect the quality of their sleep. Either they have “trouble falling or staying asleep, or not having a refreshing sleep” [reference: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Nemours Kids Health].
Magnesium Regulates Melatonin and Decreases Cortisol
A good sleep cycle is important for the promotion of overall health and the creation of hormones that are produced while we sleep. Magnesium has been shown to help alleviate sleep problems by aiding in a good night’s sleep.
Nail your night’s sleep by ensuring that you are getting enough magnesium. This will help with mood regulation and reduce stress levels. The hormone, melatonin, is regulated by our healthy magnesium levels. When cortisol levels are high, we have trouble sleeping. Magnesium balances hormones that help to induce sleep and decrease cortisol.
Magnesium Promotes Muscle Relaxation
Magnesium is also needed for a restful night’s sleep as it promotes muscle relaxation, ensuring less of your night is spent counting sheep.
Have you heard of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in children?
Restless legs syndrome (RLS), also called Willis-Ekbom disease, is a serious sleep disorder in which the child or adolescent reports an uncomfortable and irresistible urge to move his or her legs. It's usually at bedtime but can happen at other times if you're sitting still for a long time. For example, when you're watching a movie.
Children with RLS can experience:
Sleep disruption: Our natural instinct is to keep moving around in order to stop the sensation of pins and needles when we lie down. This can sometimes lead to a delay in falling asleep, waking up at night, or difficulties resting.
Bedtime behavior problems: Such sleep disorders can be a problem for kids. They are often restless and need to get up from time to time to do something else like stretch their legs.
Daytime sleepiness: Problems with sleep may result in daytime sleepiness.
Magnesium Regulates GABA
Magnesium is a mineral that plays an important role in regulating the brain's neurotransmitter, GABA. GABA is also an important part of the synthesis of the sleep hormone melatonin.
It plays a key role in the conversion of serotonin into N-Acetylserotonin, which then converts to melatonin for inducing sleep.
We hope this article has given you some information and advice that you can use to help your own child rest well. In closing, we'd like to leave you with one key takeaway: magnesium is a powerful mineral that can do wonders for your child's health and well-being. We have only touched on some of the ways that it can help alleviate sleep difficulties, but there are surely plenty more—and there may be even more in store for us in the future.
Hi, my name is Nakayla Von Raeder and I'm a certified sleep consultant and Neurodivergent sleep specialist who has helped hundreds of families with their different needs when it comes to sleeping.
Our Sleep Restored program will help you understand what to expect and how to help your child get the healthy, restful sleep you need to thrive.
Our program is built on the latest scientific research and offers a range of strategies that can help your child sleep better. We offer a unique approach tailored to your needs and will work with you to find what works best for your family.