According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 3 to 5 percent of children suffer from some type of ADHD. In recent years, the number of children with this disorder has increased; there is no definitive cause why some children have ADHD while others do not. As a result, an increased number of patients, doctors and pharmaceutical companies have put extensive research into trying to treat and manage this disorder. Many medications have been developed for ADHD, however they are not without their side effects and drawbacks. This has prompted doctors, nutritionists, homeopaths and parents to look for alternative treatments, many of which involve vitamin supplements.
GABA
Due to impulsivity and hyperactivity, often the first goal is to find a supplement that will calm the ADHD child. A commonly recommended supplement is Gamma-amino butyric, commonly called GABA, which is an amino acid. Dr. Daniel Amen, a leading expert in the field of ADHD, regularly prescribes GABA to children, as it helps the brain relax by stabilizing brain functioning, helping to reduce common ADHD symptoms such as hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity. GABA is available in many forms, including chewable and subcutaneous forms, making it easier for children to take.
Fish Oil
According to a study published in the Nutrition Journal in 2007, taking large doses of fish oil has been shown to decrease ADHD symptoms in some children. In this study, researchers concluded that providing the brain with this essential fatty acid results in better brain function as well as improved attention and behavior. Some researchers have gone as far as to compare the benefits to the commonly used ADHD treatment Ritalin, although further research is needed. The primary benefit of using fish oil as a treatment is that there are no known side effects. Fish oil has many health benefits besides the treatment of ADHD, and results can often be seen within only a matter weeks.
Iron Supplements
A variety of studies show that as many as 84 percent of ADHD children had an iron deficiency, versus less than 20 percent of non-ADHD children. Iron levels are tested via a blood test and can typically be treated with iron supplements. When iron levels are low, it effects dopamine, a brain chemical that helps control and regulate movement. Many studies have been done on this topic, and the results were recently written about by dietitian Joan Endyke, who discussed the conclusions that regulating iron levels decreases hyperactivity symptoms in children.
