The cases of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, increased by 22% between 2003 and 2007, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With a continuing rise in the number of ADHD diagnoses, the need for more treatment options has also been growing. While the first line of conventional treatment consists of stimulants, such as Ritalin or Focalin, alternative approaches to treatment for ADHD, including modified diets, are also commonly considered. For an individualized treatment plan, seek the advice of a practitioner with significant training in nutrition, such as a naturopathic physician or a nutritionist.
Feingold Diet
Perhaps one of the better known ADHD diets is the Feingold diet. Benjamin Feingold, MD, believed that 40 to 50% of hyperactive children are sensitive to food additives and naturally occurring phenolic compounds and salicylates, which are chemicals that naturally occur in some plants and are found in certain pain relievers such as aspirin. The Feingold diet calls for the elimination of nearly all processed foods and a drastic reduction in fruit and vegetables high in salicylates.
Food Sensitivities
It has been observed that food sensitivities can trigger psychological symptoms. The Eggers oligoantigenic diet attempts to prevent exposure to some of the most allergenic foods by only allowing the consumption of chicken, lamb, potatoes, rice, bananas, apples and brassica family vegetables. Several laboratories now offer serum antibody testing for specific foods. When the offending foods are removed from the diet, improvements in the ADHD symptoms are noted. Consulting a naturopathic physician can be beneficial when considering food sensitivity testing or food elimination.
Sugar
"Pediatric Clinics of North America" reviewed several studies that examined the link between sugar consumption and hyperactivity in children. The results have been mixed, with the surprising conclusion that sugar consumption does not necessarily increase hyperactivity; however, hyperactivity has been found to increase following consumption of simple carbohydrate meals lacking fat or protein -- when the blood sugar level drops low. This is called reactive hypoglycemia; it causes the release of stress hormones, such as adrenalin. This makes children jittery, fidgety and unable to pay attention. The best way to avoid this situation is to incorporate protein, fiber and good fats into every meal and avoid most processed simple carbohydrates.
Essential Fatty Acids
Essential fatty acids, EFAs, have become one of the most used supplements for a variety of conditions and as an essential nutrient for brain and body development. EFAs include omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, eicosapentanoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid. Because our body cannot synthesize these fats, they have to be supplied by our diet. Good dietary sources of essential fatty acids include cold water fish, flax and certain nuts, such as walnuts, cashews and Brazil nuts. As it is difficult to get the necessary amounts of daily EFAs from our diet alone, there is growing support for the addition of daily EFA supplements to any ADHD diet.
References
- "Pediatric Clinics of North America"; Complementary and Alternative Medical Therapies for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism; Wendy Weber, ND, MPH, Sanford Newmark, MD; December 2007
- "Textbook of Natural Medicine"; Joseph E. Pizzorno Jr., N.D. and Michael T. Murray, ND; 2006
- "International Review of Psychiatry"; Omega-3 fatty acids in ADHD and related neurodevelopmental disorders.; Richardson, AJ; April 2006
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Data and Statistics
