ADD, attention deficit disorder, is now referred to as ADHD, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. It affects five to eight percent of school age children, and two to four percent of adults. Medication is commonly recommended for treatment. However with doctor's support, many choose to explore dietary changes either before taking medication or in addition to medication to help manage ADHD.
ADD/ADHD
ADHD is a chronic condition that has been called many things over the past hundred years. Science now refers to the condition as ADHD with three subtypes under that heading further categorizing the patient's behavior and diagnosis. These subtypes are inattentive, hyper-compulsive and combined. If someone was diagnosed with ADD previously, chances are that diagnosis would now be called predominantly inattentive ADHD. Scientists are not sure what exactly causes ADHD, but research has indicated genetics play a role. Along with genetics, researchers are looking at other causes such as brain injuries, environmental factors, nutrition and the social environment. As with many diseases, more than one factor is likely involved.
Eliminating Common Reaction Foods
Doug Cowan, Psy D., MFCC, has created a dietary plan to test if some of the commonly considered trigger foods for people with ADHD cause a reaction in a person. For the first two weeks of the diet, eliminate all dairy products while increasing water, and switch from cow's milk to rice or almond milk. Do not eat yellow foods, aside from bananas, though obviously do not eat the peel. Eliminate fruit juice due to its high sugar content, and cut back on other sugars by ninety percent. The same ninety-percent cut back is recommended for chocolate and for fried foods. Do not use Nutrasweet as a sugar substitute. Do not eat any processed meats and avoid MSG. Avoid all food colorings as possible. The goal is to try to eat healthy natural foods while avoiding any convenience or processed foods.
Testing Common Reaction Foods
The first two weeks of the ADHD diet allows the body to clear out the leftover foods and chemicals that could influence symptoms of ADHD. After the two weeks, start to add these foods back into the diet. The key is to add only one food item at a time every other day. Eat plenty of it. Then watch and keep track of any reactions, from rashes or red spots, to emotional and temperamental outbursts and changes. If there is no reaction, then that particular food item may be allowed in the diet. If there is a reaction, obviously that particular food does have an adverse affect, and if it makes ADHD symptoms worse, eliminating it from the diet may be beneficial.
Other Considerations
This elimination diet allows people to determine the effect specific foods, colorings, and chemicals have on their ADHD symptoms. The most common foods to cut out or limit when trying to ease ADHD symptoms through diet are foods that increase hyperactivity, such as caffeine and sugar as well as the common allergens like milk, wheat and eggs. Many choose to cut out artificial dyes and additives. Thus far, conclusive evidence has not been established showing a direct link between dietary changes and improved ADHD symptoms, though there are some limited research findings that show ADHD can improve with dietary changes.
