Being physically active, excitable and easily distracted are natural traits of childhood. But when your child's levels of restlessness and inattention start to interfere with her daily functioning, a diagnosis of ADHD may result. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is essentially a set of recurrent symptoms that are broken down into three subsets: hyperactive, inattentive and combined. If you're child has been diagnosed with ADHD, you have several options for approaching and managing the symptoms of this long-term condition. Some parents are interested in the use of nutritional therapy, one component of which is vitamin remedies.
Safety First
Some medical experts dispute that vitamins can have a therapeutic impact on ADHD. The Mayo Clinic is an example of a reputable provider of health information that specifically states there is no evidence that supplements of either vitamins or minerals can reduce the condition's symptoms. The Mayo Clinic also cautions that giving vitamins in dosages that far exceed the Recommended Dietary Allowance can be dangerous. The University of Michigan Health System concurs that there are no supplement therapies that warrant a three-star rating, which would indicate reliable, relatively consistent scientific data has shown substantial health benefits. However, there are some supplements that show promise even if the research data is insufficient or inconclusive.
Vitamin B-6, Pyridoxine
This B vitamin is essential to your brain's ability to make and use serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. People with ADHD typically have lowered levels of these important neurochemicals. Theoretically, adding pyridoxine to your child's diet may help increase the neurochemical levels. Vitamin B-6 can be toxic and cause nerve damage at high dosages, though, so any supplementation should be at the advice and guidance of a physician.
Not Just Vitamins
Actually, most of the dietary supplements that have shown some potential promise in reducing ADHD symptoms are not vitamins. Still, parents who are interested in pursuing vitamin therapy are generally open to considering the other nutrients, which include minerals and fatty acids.
Essential Fatty Acids
The so-called "good fats" have been thoroughly tested in terms of ADHD because of their key role in brain function. Included are omega-3, found in fish oil, and omega-6, found in evening primrose oil, EPA, DHA, GLA, linoleic acid and arachidonic acid. Study results have been positive yet still inconclusive. A study published in 2002 by Richardson and Puri concluded that daily supplementation with highly unsaturated fatty acids -- listed by the University of Michigan as 186 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), 480 mg of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), 96 mg of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), 864 mg of linoleic acid, and 42 mg of arachidonic acid -- reduced ADHD-related symptoms in children with specific learning disabilities, mainly dyslexia. Another preliminary trial combined vitamin C with flaxseed oil, which is high in alpha linolenic acid, twice daily for three months with results positive in reducing the hyperactivity symptoms of children with ADHD.
L-Carnitine
This trace element, also known as acetyl-L-carnitine, is used by your body to metabolize energy and make use of essential fatty acids. Dr. James Lake describes a study that demonstrated L-carnitine was superior over a placebo among 112 children with ADHD, with the positive effects being seen only in study subjects with inattentive type of ADHD. The safety of long-term administration of L-carnitine is unknown.
Zinc
Necessary for regulation of brain chemicals, fatty acids, and melatonin, zinc studies have demonstrated some improvement in hyperactivity and impulsivity, but not inattention. The data is inconclusive and the administration of zinc, which can be toxic at high dosages, should be monitored by a physician.
Magnesium
As with zinc, children with ADHD often test low in their blood levels of magnesium. So studies have explored possible connections, because magnesium deficiency in humans can result in mood and attention difficulties. Preliminary studies, such as one reported in the June 1997 issue of "Magnesium Research," have instead shown a positive impact in terms of lessened hyperactivity.
Iron
Iron is also commonly tested lower in children with ADHD, resulting in concerns about connections to mood and cognitive function. Small studies have demonstrated a potential positive effect, comparable to improvements gained with stimulant medications, by way of a reduction of symptom severity.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children: Alternative medicine
- University of Michigan Health System: ADHD, Alternative Medicine, Supplements
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Progress in Neuro-psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry; "A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the effects of supplementation with highly unsaturated fatty acids on ADHD-related symptoms in children with specific learning difficulties."; Richardson AJ, Puri BK; February 2002.
- Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes, and Essential Fatty Acids; "Supplementation with flax oil and vitamin C improves the outcome of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)."; K Joshi et al.; January 2006.
- Psychiatric Times; Integrative Management of ADHD: What the Evidence Suggests
