Symptoms of magnesium deficiency include irritability, decreased attention span, and mental confusion. Some experts believe that children with ADHD may have a mild magnesium deficiency. In one preliminary study of 75 magnesium-deficient children with ADHD, those who received magnesium supplements showed an improvement in behavior compared to those who did not receive the supplements (1).
Because too much magnesium can be dangerous and magnesium can interfere with certain medications, including antibiotics and blood pressure medications it is important to talk to your doctor before supplementing with large amounts of the mineral (1).
REFERENCES
- Millichap JG and Yee MM. The diet factor in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Pediatrics. 2012;129(2):330-337. doi:10.1542/peds.2011-2199
