How our new Deep Ocean Liquid Magnesium Drops support children’s developing systems and mental wellness — and other benefits of magnesium chloride from the sea
As co-owner of Organic 3, I’m often asked, “What’s the top supplement you recommend, if you had to pick just one?”
Aside from probiotics (okay, that’s two 😊), an essential foundation for digestive health and the gut-brain connection, my go-to is magnesium. Plus, magnesium is one of our most loved Smidge® products.
For good reason. Magnesium is one of six macro minerals our bodies need. And it plays an essential role in hundreds — and perhaps thousands — of biological processes, according to scientific studies.* It relaxes your mind and body.* It can help detoxify, ease mild aches and pains, relieve stress and mild anxiety, maintain strong bones, and support relaxation, including the muscles.*
And, magnesium is particularly beneficial for kids because it aids in their development and overall health. Importantly, it can have a calming effect in a world with so much stimulus and extracurricular activities, making it even tougher to be a kid than in the pre-cell phone/social media days.
In this blog post, I’ll share information on why magnesium is fantastic for children as they grow and for stress support; foods that contain magnesium, recommendations for supplementation, and more.
Magnesium benefits for kids
Magnesium is central to the health and development of children. Here are some key benefits:
- Bone development: Magnesium is crucial for forming and maintaining healthy bones as kids grow.* It helps in the absorption and metabolism of calcium, which is essential for strong bones, especially during those big growth spurts.
- Immune system support: Magnesium is involved in maintaining a healthy immune system, which is key for back-to-school and those winter months that can be full of sniffles.*
- Muscle function: Magnesium is involved in muscle function, including relaxation. It can help prevent muscle cramps and spasms, like restless leg syndrome and eye twitching, common with kiddos.*
- Energy production: Magnesium helps convert carbohydrates and fats into energy (namely ATP - that little powerhouse in every cell of our bodies).*
- Heart health: Magnesium contributes to cardiovascular health by maintaining a normal heart rhythm and supporting blood vessel function.*
Stress relief, mood, behavior and children
Magnesium may support brain functions that ease mild stress and anxiety, potentially improving mood and behavior.* Here's how it may help, particularly in children:
- Neurotransmitter regulation: Magnesium helps regulate neurotransmitters, which send signals throughout the brain and nervous system. This may help stabilize mood, ease mild anxiety and contribute to a positive mindset, better helping them to regulate the emotions related to serotonin and dopamine production.*
- Attention and calm: Some studies suggest that magnesium may help provide a sense of calm and improve attention span.* This is crucial as kids navigate through school days: reading, memorizing, having to sit still and socializing with other children.*
- Cortisol regulation: Magnesium helps to regulate cortisol levels (a stress hormone that influences blood sugar levels), reducing the physical and psychological effects of stress when their bodies are growing and learning.
- Sleep quality: Adequate magnesium levels contribute to better sleep quality by supporting melatonin production, the hormone responsible for regulating sleep-wake cycles.
- Nervous system support: Magnesium supports a calm, balanced nervous system by protecting against excitotoxicity, a condition where nerve cells are damaged by excessive stimulation – as well as sugar and chemically processed foods, MSG and EMFs. We know our kids are exposed to media, technology at school and learning about this big, revolving world at a fast pace.
Magnesium-rich foods
Many delicious, easily accessible foods have lots of natural magnesium. In general, foods containing dietary fiber contain magnesium. Check out the list below for your favorite nutritional sources of magnesium (RDA means recommended daily allowance).
- Pumpkin seeds: 46% of the RDA in a quarter cup (16 grams)
- Spinach, lightly steamed: 39% of the RDA in a cup (180 grams)
- Swiss chard, lightly steamed: 38% of the RDA in a cup (175 grams)
- Dark chocolate (70 to 85% cocoa): 33% of the RDA in 3.5 ounces (100 grams)
- Black beans: 30% of the RDA in a cup (172 grams)
- Quinoa, cooked: 33% of the RDA in a cup (185 grams)
- Halibut: 27% of the RDA in 3.5 ounces (100 grams)
- Almonds: 25% of the RDA in a quarter cup (24 grams)
- Cashews: 25% of the RDA in a quarter cup (30 grams)
- Mackerel: 19% of the RDA in 3.5 ounces (100 grams)
- Avocado: 15% of the RDA in one medium avocado (200 grams)
- Salmon: 9% of the RDA in 3.5 ounces (100 grams)
Bonus! Organic foods are often higher in nutrients than conventionally grown produce.
It’s also important to note that many commercially available grains are processed in ways that remove the nutrient-rich germ and bran, lowering magnesium content substantially.
Here are a few simple, kid-friendly snack and meal ideas that are favorites in my family:
- Whole milk, Greek yogurt with cacao nibs, pumpkin seeds and sliced banana
- Wild-caught, baked salmon nuggets (dipped in egg with parmesan cheese breadcrumbs)
- Trail mix with lots of almonds and cashews
- Dark chocolate dipped in one-ingredient peanut butter
When a child might need a magnesium supplement
But what about supplements for the little ones?
To start, we believe robust gut health and a real food diet are key to vibrant health. And the sooner kids get started, the better! This means getting an array of magnesium-rich foods and for many, supplementing with a premium, gentle form in a way that’s convenient.
While you can get your magnesium from a balanced diet, supplementation can benefit children, especially in certain situations. Here are some reasons why children might need magnesium supplementation:
- Dietary deficiency: Children who consume a diet low in magnesium-rich foods (see list above) may not get enough magnesium through their diet alone.
- Picky eating: Some children are picky eaters and may avoid magnesium-rich foods, leading to a deficiency.
- Increased physical activity: Active children and athletes may have higher magnesium needs due to the mineral's role in muscle function and energy production.
- Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as gastrointestinal disorders (e.g., Crohn's disease, celiac disease, esophageal reflux), can impair magnesium absorption and increase the need for supplementation.
- Medications: Some medications, such as certain antibiotics, can affect magnesium levels and may necessitate supplementation.
- Growth spurts: During periods of rapid growth, children's nutritional needs increase, including the need for magnesium to support bone development and overall growth.
- Behavior and mood: Scientific studies suggest that magnesium supplementation may help provide focus, relaxation/calm and a solid night’s sleep.*
- Bone health: Magnesium is vital for bone health and development.
The recommended daily intake of magnesium for children varies by age. Here are the guidelines from the National Institutes of Health (NIH):
- Infants 0-6 months: 30 mg
- Infants 7-12 months: 75 mg
- Children 1-3 years: 80 mg
- Children 4-8 years: 130 mg
- Children 9-13 years: 240 mg
- Teen boys 14-18 years: 410 mg
- Teen girls 14-18 years: 360 mg
Smidge® Deep Ocean Liquid Magnesium Drops
Here’s where our newest product fits in. We crafted another magnesium supplement that’s in liquid form, so you can titrate the dose.
Smidge® Deep Ocean Liquid Magnesium Drops provide natural magnesium chloride from 2,200 feet below Hawaii’s pristine, mineral-rich Kona Sea.
You can make your own refreshing mineral water, as our drops have naturally occurring magnesium, chloride and potassium and trace amounts of calcium, iron, copper, zinc, manganese and sodium chloride.*
Our magnesium drops are flavorless. You can also add fresh cherry, lemon, lime, orange or cucumber for a burst of flavor with your naturally occurring minerals, which the kids love. And, it’s a healthier alternative to soda.
We started our magnesium journey when our customers reached out and shared that they had side effects from taking too much of one form of magnesium. So, between our Morning and Evening Magnesium and our new liquid magnesium chloride addition, our Smidge® collection now provides access to six forms of premium, natural magnesium to meet your family's individual needs.
As I touched on above, the appeal to add our Deep Ocean Liquid Magnesium Drops to our collection was that the magnesium is from nature, a different form factor and our customers could titrate their dose, giving them a sixth form of magnesium to add to their supplement regimen if they choose. Plus, there’s no magnesium citrate, which is in many commercial magnesium supplements and can cause digestive upset.*
Our drops are especially great for:
- Anyone who wants naturally occurring magnesium.
- Those who want magnesium but who do not swallow pills, including infants and children.
- Athletes who want pure, natural electrolytes and post-workout recovery.*
- People on the go, who want to tote their mineral-enhanced water to the gym and drink it a steady, low dose throughout the day
Easy ways for your kids to get magnesium
Hopefully this blog post has given you a good idea of all the ways your children can get magnesium in their growing, brilliant bodies.
Here’s a quick summary:
- Magnesium-rich foods (see list above).
- Epsom salt baths.
- Infuse their water with a minimal dose of Smidge® Deep Ocean Liquid Magnesium Drops, especially for kids who do not swallow pills.
- Use liquid magnesium topically via spray or rubbing it on the bottom of their little feet (or on their legs, which may help relax muscles in cases of mild restless leg syndrome). You can use our magnesium drops for this, too!
- This blog post was written by Smidge® co-founder Dan Corrigan. Dan is trained in several dietary protocols and natural health disciplines. Our blog was reviewed by Karen Myers, Smidge® co-founder and Certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner. Learn more about Dan and Karen here!
