This is one of our most frequently asked questions, and the short and non-glamorous answer?
IT DEPENDS!
Many factors are involved:
- what concern you are trying to address
- how old your child is
- current depletion levels
- diet
- recent illness
- current developmental stage
- additional support needs
- activity levels
- environment… and more!
Some people have had amazing results with our liposomal Magnesium, seeing almost immediate improvements, but if you are wondering why you are not having the same experience- this is for you! It is also not uncommon for parents to tell us there was no outward changes for weeks and then a sudden and drastic turnaround. This is because Magnesium is working on a cellular, holistic level and is not targeting one specific hormone or process and does not behave like a pharmaceutical or even supplementary melatonin where a response is manipulated in the body. Magnesium is required by the body for over 300 enzymatic reactions, so it deserves a valued spot in any approach to a multitude of concerns.
Most health professionals recommend at least 4-6 weeks of regular intake of Magnesium before consistent results are seen. If your mineral stores are significantly depleted, it is not uncommon for improvement to take up to 6 months of regular supplementation.
SLEEP: Most people will start to notice slight improvements within a week, continuing on an upward trend for each additional week of supplementing, as mineral stores are replenished and melatonin is regulated.
ANXIETY/DEPRESSION: Some people notice lessened anxiety within 2 hours of a dose! For diagnosed mood disorders, it is usually a month before significant mood improvements are seen.
FOCUS/CONCENTRATION: Improvements can be seen within a couple days, with disruptive patterns improving within several weeks as the hormones are balanced and minerals restored.
TICS/IMPROVED AUTISM OR ADHD SYMPTOMS: At least one month is recommended before noticeable results are seen.
So what else is happening before specific symptoms are improved?
Magnesium gets lots of stage time for sleep, but that is not even why we designed this supplement for kids! It nourishes and protects the body on a cellular level in so many ways, including:
- creating strong neural connections in the brain
- assisting in the production of ATP, a molecule that provides energy to the cells
- blood sugar regulation
- strengthening the immune system
- supporting normal bone development, including teeth
- DNA & RDA synthesis
- proper nerve and muscle function
- stabilising the heart’s rhythm
A bit more on sleep:
It is VERY normal for children, especially within the first 2 years of life, to wake through the night. We do not encourage trying to force kids into sleep patterns that are not coherent with their current development. Teething, growth spurts and new developmental milestones, new experiences or environmental/lifestyle changes will all affect waking times and frequency through the night.
Magnesium does not FORCE sleep or cause drowsiness. It supports the body’s natural detox pathways, hormone production (including NORMAL levels of melatonin), receptors and blood sugar levels. A good routine that includes nourishment through food, consistent sleep/wake times, appropriate napping, sunlight exposure, minimal screen time/blue lights, and age-appropriate exercise cannot be replaced with a supplement.
What can deplete Magnesium?
- High activity levels, particularly cardio based sports
- Type 2 diabetes
- Stress
- Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
- Excessive flouride
- Additional support needs- studies show that individuals with ADHD, ASD, Autism, Tourettes and other diagnoses on the spectrum have LOWER Magnesium levels in the body
- Epilepsy
- Certain antibiotics and pharmaceuticals (speak with your health care team for information and interactions on this)
- Chron’s or Celiac disease
- Chronic bowel issues or frequent vomiting
- Malnutrition, including a diet high in fortified and heavily processed foods that disrupt normal mineral levels
Sometimes, the body just needs a boost! If you or your child have been consistently taking Mighty Kids for at least one month and you are not seeing any improvement, you can try a boost:
You can safely double the dosage on our kids Liposomal Magnesium for a maximum of 3 days during times of increased activity, stress, illness, new changes, or a regression in sleep or behaviour.
This is well within the Recommended Daily Amounts as set out by the National Institutes of Health for ages 1+.
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/
*if your child is severely underweight or has medical complications, please seek advice from a health care professional on maximum intake amounts.
We are not looking for instant or easy fixes. We are building nourished bodies that are operating the way they are intended to- and this can take a while. Remember that it probably took a long time for depletion to occur, so replenishment also deserves your time and patience!
