These children may have low stomach acid, which means their bodies aren't able to use much of the minerals (eg, magnesium) and protein in their food. It used to be that only older people had low stomach acid, but now it is seen in children, too. Try betaine hydrochloride and you may be pleasantly surprised.

A simple way to diagnose insufficient HCl in a person's body is just to take 1 capsule of the betaine hydrochloride on an empty stomach in the morning. Wait awhile and if there is no burning feeling, that means that the HCl is needed. Next day, try 2 caps and continue increasing until there is a burning feeling; then, reduce the dosage by one cap. Works for me!

Carla