Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is one of the most commonly-diagnosed mental health disorders of childhood. Children with ADHD can continue to have the disorder into adulthood. Undiagnosed adults can have ADHD but a licensed mental health professional cannot make an accurate diagnosis until the patients meet diagnostic criteria and have a history of ADHD symptoms that began in childhood. Changes in dietary habits are linked to ADHD symptom management, although research for conclusive effectiveness is ongoing at the time of publication. Before undertaking any change in dietary regimen, be sure to consult your doctor.
ADHD Cause and Symptoms
No specific cause is attributed to the development of ADHD but factors including genetics, exposure to toxins in utero, traumatic brain injury or nutrition habits are possible contributors. Theories of nutrition habits causing ADHD are controversial, and researchers have not found an exact link; however, certain dietary additives may exacerbate existing symptoms, notes MayoClinic.com. Symptoms of ADHD such as inattention, hyperactive behavior and impulsiveness can occur at varying levels of intensity. For a diagnosis of ADHD, these symptoms must appear consistently for six months or more to a greater degree than other children of the same age display.
Restricting Sugar
Sugar does not cause ADHD, according to the National Institute of Mental Health or NIMH. However, research reviews Dr. Anthony Kane reported on AddAdhdadvances.com indicate that a study of 261 hyperactive children given sugar yielded a result of increased inattentiveness and impulsiveness. This result was due to abnormal sugar metabolism in 74 percent of the study participants, which caused a surge of insulin, then a decrease in blood sugar levels. Although this is not the case for all individuals diagnosed with ADHD, restricting sugar intake may prevent symptom triggers. Sugar added to foods or in prepackaged foods may include sucrose, dextrose, corn syrup and maltose. To determine if sugar is a problematic substance, eliminate added table sugar and foods with high sugar content for two weeks. Slowly reintroduce sugar back into the diet and take note of symptoms experienced.
Feingold Diet
The Feingold diet proposes removal of specific additives from your diet, eliminating all foods with artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners and preservatives. Food additives are linked to triggering hyperactivity in ADHD sufferers but research is ongoing, notes the NIMH. The Feingold diet eliminates foods labeled with ingredients that include "Yellow No. 5," "Red 40," "Blue No. 1" and the preservatives BHA, BHT or TBHQ as well as monosodium glutamate, nitrites and sulfites. Products like colorful cereals and fruity drinks, flavored crackers, cookies, oatmeal and processed lunch meats are also eliminated. The gist of this plan is using fresh foods - nothing processed, packaged or preserved -- to reduce the risk of ADHD symptoms.
Few Foods Diet
The few foods diet is a highly restrictive diet that reduces ADHD symptoms. In a 2010 study of 100 participants assigned to a restrictive diet versus a normal healthy diet, 78 percent of the subjects on the restrictive diet experienced an improvement in overall symptoms after five weeks, according to the Yale Medical Group. However, research on the longevity of symptom management on a restrictive diet is ongoing. The few foods diet is limited to rice, vegetables, fresh meat, pears and water. No corn, soybeans, citrus or fruit juices are allowed. Potatoes, oats and wheat may be introduced but this depends on the initial reaction to the food restrictions. The premise of this diet is to eliminate foods with artificial additives and preservatives while also tracking the presence or lack of symptoms when eating fresh foods. The diet requires limitations in food choices to as few as possible without sacrificing nutrient intake.
Considerations
Each suggested diet plan proposes to eliminate foods that may cause ADHD symptom flares through restricting consumption of potentially harmful ingredients. However, each diet plan requires you to find which foods trigger symptoms through a trial-and-error method of elimination, then gradual reintroduction. This can be a time-consuming process with benefits and consequences, but an ADHD diet is not intended to cure the condition or replace conventional medical intervention. Restrictive diets may result in nutrient deficiencies so consult your physician before starting a specific diet plan.
References
- Center for Science in the Public Interest: Parent's Guide to Diet, ADHD and Behavior
- MayoClinic.: ADHD Diet; Do Food Additives Cause Hyperactivity?; John E. Huxsahl M.D.; November 2009
- Food and Behaviour Research: ADHD Diet Plan Gets Mixed Reviews; Kristina Fiore; February 2011
- Illinois Wesleyan University: Diet and Behavior; First Do No Harm; Laurine Brown Ph.D., MPH; November 2003
- Feingold Association of the United States: Overview of the Feingold Diet Program for ADHD; March 2010
- Add ADHD Advances: The Role of Sugar in ADHD; Anthony Kane, MD; September 2004
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