U.S. News and World Report states that 4 percent of children and adults meet the diagnostic criteria for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, usually abbreviated as ADHD. ADHD is associated with forgetfulness, hyperactivity and difficulty understanding and following directions. Certain supplements may ease ADHD symptoms. However, if hyperactivity or inattention is causing severe or persistent difficulties in school, work or in personal relationships, consult a qualified health care professional.
Pycnogenol
Pycnogenol, a registered trademark name for a supplement made from the French maritime pine, is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. According to an article by Natalie Sinn, research fellow at the Sansom Institute for Health Research, a study compared Pycnogenol to a placebo in children with ADHD symptoms. Those who took Pycnogenol showed a significant decrease in hyperactivity and an increase in measures of attention, while the group that received the placebo showed no change in ADHD symptoms. Symptoms returned in the Pycnogenol group soon after they stopped receiving the supplement. Larger trials are necessary before Pycnogenol can be widely recommended as an ADHD treatment.
Ginkgo Biloba
A study published in "Phytotherapy Research" concluded that ginkgo biloba may prove to be an effective alternative treatment for the symptoms of ADHD. In the study, patients with ADHD were tested for hyperactivity, inattention and immaturity factors before and during treatment with ginkgo biloba. Their scores improved dramatically with use of the supplement. Derived from one of the oldest trees on earth, ginkgo biloba extract is used for a number of other health conditions, including dementia, fatigue and multiple sclerosis. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, side effects may include headache, gastrointestinal upset, dizziness or allergic reactions. Talk to a qualified health care practitioner before using ginkgo biloba to treat ADHD or any other condition.
Magnesium
Magnesium is important to more than 300 metabolic reactions including energy production and the synthesis of essential molecules, according to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. However, the average intake for this mineral is far below the recommended daily amount. An article in the journal "Life Extension" stated that many children with ADHD are deficient in magnesium. A study found that children who received dietary magnesium supplements showed decreases in hyperactivity and disruptive behavior. Consult a qualified health care provider for more information about the use of magnesium supplements for ADHD.
References
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Ginkgo
- "Phytotherapy Research"; Ginkgo Biloba Treating Patients with Attention-Deficit Disorder; H. Niederhofer; January 2010
- Life Extension: Important Nutritional Supplements for Managing ADHD
- "Nutrition Reviews"; Nutritional and Dietary Influences on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; N. Sinn; October 2008
- U.S. News and World Report: Surviving ADHD at Work and School
