If colic or temperamental behavior become chronic, your baby might need magnesium supplementation, especially if it is over 6 months old. It might have trouble absorbing the mineral. This creates a deficiency that, in turn, affects calcium-regulating hormones. The result is a calcium deficiency. This can cause intestinal spasms and irritablility.
Babies with behavioral problem generally require more magnesium than do other infants – perhaps because the hormones secreted during their chronic high level of stress trigger greater than normal excretion of magnesium in their urine.
In either case, 100 to 200 milligram do magnesium a day should help. You will soon know if the dose is too high because excess magnesium causes diarrhea. If that happens, simply cut back on the amount of magnesium, 50 milligram at a time, until the stools are normal again.
Magnesium generally has a calming effect and enhances sleep, a bonus in both colic and behavioral problems.
If magnesium supplements help with colic, sleep, or reduce irritablility, I would continue them. The purest source for longterm use is magnesium citrate capsules. You can find Magnesium Citrate in you Health Food Store.
(Super Immunity for kids by Leo Gallad MD and Dian Dincin Buchman, PHD)
Magnesium deficiency may be an independent predictor of diabetes.
Magnesium is necessary for the production, function, and transport of insulin.
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