Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is categorized by symptoms like trouble focusing, learning difficulties and hyperactivity that inhibit a person's quality of life. A focus on nutrition is one aspect of ADHD treatment your doctor might advise, although varying ideas exist on the proper treatment method for ADHD in children. Although dietary modifications help some ADHD children, they do not work as well as medications in most children. More studies are needed and there might not be one diet that helps all children; it will probably be individual from one child to another. Your doctor can help you determine the nutritional focus for your child.
Food Additives
The Feingold diet, created by Benjamin Feingold, is one specific diet associated with ADHD. Feingold recommended children with ADHD avoid artificial additives (no comma) such as colors and preservatives. Researchers have not conclusively backed up these claims. However, studies on food additives have had numerous flaws, including only testing children with food sensitivities and performing various tests on different symptoms. Further, since ADHD is different in every child, general conclusions are difficult to make. A 2001 article in "American Family Physician" by Dr. William D. Smucker and Dr. Marjaneh Hedayat explains that additive-free diets only help about 5 percent of children with ADHD.
Food Allergies
Elimination diets that focus on taking a food allergen out of your child's diet show some promise, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. In this case, consult your physician or an allergy specialist to determine allergens of your child and how to avoid them. Similar to food additives, tests on food allergies have not been conclusive but have had similar flaws. However, correlations between food allergies and ADHD have been found.
Refined Sugars
Many people suspect sugar as a cause of hyperactivity, since sugar causes highs and lows. Research does not back up this idea, even for sugar-sensitive children. However, you could try a sugar-elimination diet with the help of your doctor to see if it helps your child.
Nutrient Deficiencies
A deficiency of nutrients could be a cause of ADHD in your child. Zinc, vitamin B6 and essential fatty acids play important roles in brain health and behavior. A 2009 study by K. Dodig-Curkovic and colleagues in "Acta Medica Croatica" found that zinc sulfate causes significant progress for ADHD children with a zinc deficiency. A magnesium deficiency can cause symptoms related to ADHD, such as trouble concentrating and behavioral problems. Talk to your doctor about nutrient deficiencies as too much of certain nutrients can cause an overdose. Also, vitamins and minerals will not help your child if he does not have a deficiency.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Center for Science in the Public Interest: Diet and Behavior in Children
- Evaluation and Treatment of ADHD; "American Family Physician"; William D. Smucker and Marjaneh Hedayat; 2001
- PubMed: The Role of Zinc in the Treatment of Hyperactivity Disorder in Children
- PubMed: Nutrition in the Treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder -- A Neglected but Important Aspect.
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