Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is a neurological disorder characterized by impulsivity, inattentiveness and sometimes hyperactivity. Distinct from the rambunctiousness and occasional lack of focus seen in normal children, its symptoms can cause problems at school and at home. ADHD can persist into adulthood and interfere with work and healthy relationships. Some nutritional interventions may prove beneficial. Consult a qualified health care professional if you suspect that you or a family member has ADHD.
Decreasing Food Additives
In the late 1960s, physician Benjamin Feingold began publicly asserting that food additives were to blame for hyperactivity in children. At that time, Feingold's claims were considered to be speculative at best, since they were based primarily on his own observations. However, recent research has lent support to Feingold's ideas. An experimental study published in the journal "Lancet" found that children given a beverage with artificial food dyes, a preservative called sodium benzoate, or both demonstrated far more hyperactive behavior than children given an beverage without those additives. More research is needed on the topic, but for some parents, this research may provide evidence enough to feed their children a diet with fewer processed foods.
The Role of Sugar
The notion that sugar makes children more hyperactive is a popular one, but it may not stand up to scientific scrutiny. The National Institute of Mental Health describes several double-blind studies in which some children were given sugar and some a sweet substitute. Researchers who did not know which children received the sugar noted no differences in their behaviors. Additionally, mothers who erroneously believed their children had eaten sugar tended to rate their behavior as more hyperactive.
Elimination Diets
In elimination diets, also called "few foods diets," foods that are suspected to trigger ADHD symptoms are eliminated from the diet for a period of time. If symptoms improve, the potentially-offending foods are added back in one at a time. If symptoms recur after a food has been added, the food can then be banished from the diet. According to an article in the "Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology," this approach should be supervised by a qualified health care practitioner. There is a danger of nutritional imbalances during the "few foods" phase when the diet is most restricted.
Boosting Nutrients
Some vitamins and minerals may prove helpful for ADHD. Deficiencies in magnesium, a mineral important in cell signaling and energy production, can cause ADHD-like symptoms including mental confusion and lack of concentration. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, this observation has led to the theory that some children with ADHD symptoms may need more magnesium. Supplements of zinc, a mineral that helps regulate brain chemicals, were shown to slightly improve symptoms in ADHD children. The UMMC recounts another study in which vitamin B6 was superior to a prescription ADHD medicine in easing hyperactive behavior. These supplements can be toxic in high amounts. Consult a qualified health care practitioner before adding them to your child's dietary regimen.
References
- Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology: Psychopharmacological and Other Treatments in Preschool Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Current Evidence and Practice
- National Institute of Mental Health: What Causes ADHD?
- "Lancet"; Food Additives and Hyperactive Behavior in 3-Year-Old and 8/9-Year-Old Children in the Community; D. McCann, et al.; November 2007
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
