Epson Salts and Magnesium, Your Grandmother was Right!

Your grandmother was right about Epson Salts.  The magnesium salts are absorbed and provide us with an important and essential nutrient! Magnesium deficiency may be a possible cause of symptoms such as hyperactivity and inattentiveness. Studies have shown that increasing dietary Magnesium decreases these ADHD symptoms and that Magnesium supplementation augments the action of the stimulants when treating symptoms of ADHD.

It is not clear if the relationship between ADHD and Magnesium is related to true deficiencies or issues regarding absorption. Low Magnesium levels have been found in individuals with a history of strokes, fibromyalgia, depression, and diabetes.

I found several studies in the literature that confirmed that supplemental Magnesium helped with several of the medical conditions including ADHD, Fibromyalgia,  and Depression but the mechanism of action, is poorly understood. Magnesium is an important factor in neurochemical transmission and muscle action and studies are looking into the roll of Magnesium and hormone problems such as diabetes and hypothyroidism.

The daily-required dose of Magnesium for adults is about 370mg per day. The recommended dose for school age kids it is about 240mg per day but most kid’s multivitamins only have about 20mg. Magnesium is better absorbed in the body from food sources such as  green vegetables (spinach, broccoli)
, whole-grains, almonds cashews, pecans, Brazil Nuts
,  pumpkin seeds, 
peanuts, 
soy beans,  edamame, and tofu
.

If you decide to use a supplement, the easiest way may be to use a magnesium citrate powder. These powders can be easily mixed into fruit juice. It is best to give the supplement in two daily doses and to cut back on the dose if you or your child experience loose stools.  Epson Salts Baths are relaxing and soothing and are also a excellent way to get extra Magnesium into your system.  I have found Epson salts baths to be very useful in calming my sons as the evening sets in and their ADHD treatment regimens start to wear off.   We would all benefit from eating a diet rich in Magnesium, as this will eliminate any possible deficiencies that may, in turn, cause illness.