Processed sugar, low magnesium and hyperactivity
Children have smaller bodies which react more quickly to stimuli. They are more sensitive to chemicals, dehydration or eating junk food laden with sugar and processed carbohydrates. When magnesium is low they will react more acutely than adults, sometimes exhibiting bizarre behaviours. One jelly bean could set them off flying around the room with uncontrolled hyperactivity, followed by an energy slump and utter exhaustion.
There is a direct relationship between magnesium and sugar because the lower the magnesium levels get, the higher the sugar sensitivity and hyperactivity. The more optimal the magnesium levels, the less the sugar sensitivity and the more balanced, calm and focused is their energy.
This is because magnesium is required in high amounts to metabolise sugar. Processed sugar without minerals therefore causes a drain on magnesium stores. As magnesium gets too low the electrical system starts to falter and we can experience uncontrolled muscle spasms and hyperactivity.
Low magnesium combined with high sugar intake also causes dehydration. Dehydration is another cause of hyperactivity and feelings of anxiety and stress. The body ‘panics’ when it starts to run out of water supply.
Birthday parties with sugary cupcakes, fairy bread and soft drinks often end up being a disaster for parents with children who are magnesium deficient. Processed sugar and carbohydrates steal the little bit of magnesium their tiny bodies store, leaving their cells vulnerable.
It is too often the case that an ‘elevated state’ and inability to focus, sit still or concentrate is sometimes misdiagnosed as ADHD, when the symptoms may actually be a sign of magnesium deficiency. A 1997 study titled: “Assessment of magnesium levels in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),” concluded: “Magnesium deficiency was found in 95 per cent of those examined, most frequently in hair (77.6 per cent), in red blood cells (58.6 per cent) and in blood serum (33.6 per cent) of children with ADHD.” [5]
As the state of magnesium deficiency (and dehydration) is corrected, symptoms subside and disappear.
The master mineral
Fundamentally, magnesium is the trunk of our nutritional tree supporting the other nutrients and enzyme activity. In other words, all cell functions rely on electrical energy which is dependent on magnesium. Even our DNA links require magnesium to repair. Studies have shown magnesium deficiency leads to DNA cleavage (breaks). (2)
Magnesium is the most vital mineral electrolyte: The Master Mineral. It is the centre of the chlorophyll molecule in plants, chlorophyll being used by plants to convert sunlight energy into starches. That’s why our ‘greens’ are especially good for us.
The mitochondria of our cells use magnesium to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP) – the energy currency of the cell. Magnesium is intimately involved in our energy metabolism, its balance and regulation. When magnesium is low the energy supporting enzyme activity is low and therefore many systems can malfunction or perform at sub-optimal levels, including digestion and detoxification, brain, immune and cardiovascular function, as well as the building of new cells for growth, healing and repair.