ADHD is characterized by an inability to focus, over-activity and difficulty controlling behavior. There is no cure for ADHD and traditional treatments involve medication, psychotherapy and education to minimize symptoms. The "Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine" published a review article in 2008 on nutrition and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Researchers found that ADHD was linked to mercury toxins and pesticides, nutritional deficiencies, supplements, allergens and food chemicals. They concluded that more research is necessary to determine nutrition's role in treating ADHD.
The Feingold Diet and Salicylates
Dr. Benjamin Feingold, a pediatric allergist, created the Feingold diet in the 1970s based on observations that 30 to 50 percent of his hyperactive patients benefited from a modified diet. The Feingold diet is the most well known diet for ADHD and eliminates all artificial food colorings, flavorings and sweeteners, preservatives and salicylate-foods. Salicylates are chemicals naturally found in fruits, vegetables and herbs. Foods that contain salicylates include berries, chilies, apples, cider, cloves, grapes, oranges, peaches, peppers, plums, prunes and tomatoes.
Food Additives and ADHD
Cornell Medical Center researchers published a study on food additives in 1994 in the "Annuls of Allergy." They found that children with ADHD benefited from avoiding food additives like artificial colorings. The Mayo Clinic says food additives, like sodium benzoate and artificial colorings like FD&C Yellow No. 5, may cause hyperactivity but more research is needed.
Elimination Diet
The goal of an elimination diet is to identify foods that may worsen ADHD. The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) refers to an elimination diet as a "few foods diet" which starts by restricting all food additives and foods that children are often sensitive or allergic to like eggs, wheat, milk, chocolate, soy, corn and citrus. Foods are eliminated for at least two weeks and if behavior does not change, a normal diet resumes. If behavior improves, single foods are reintroduced into the diet while reactions are observed. Foods that cause negative reactions are re-eliminated and retested at a later time or avoided indefinitely. Foods that do not affect behavior are considered safe to eat.
Potential
According to the Mayo Clinic, supplements being researched for their role in treating ADHD are omega-3 fatty acids and zinc. Herbal remedies like St. John's wort, ginko biloba, ginseng, melatonin and pine bark may help ADHD, but their benefits have not been confirmed by scientific evidence.
Considerations
Much of the support for special diets to treat ADHD is based on anecdotal evidence. The CSPI says the Feingold diet is controversial based on a lack of research and that the benefits of eliminating salicylates have not been proven. The CSPI also warns that elimination diets should not be used for longer than two weeks because they lack essential nutrients. Individuals who want to take herbs or supplements to treat ADHD should consult a physician, especially if prescription medication is already being used.
References
- Center for Science in the Public Interest: A Parent's Guide to Diet, ADHD and Behavior
- "Annuls of Allergy"; Foods and Additives are Common Causes of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children; M. Boris, F.S. Mandel; May 1994
- "Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine"; Nutrition and Environmental Approaches to Preventing and Treating Autism and ADHD: A Review; L.T. Curtis, K. Patel; Jan./Feb. 2008
- Mayo Clinic: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Children
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder--Other Treatments
