All kids get distracted every now and then, but if their focus wanders to the point of creating problems at school or in other educational and social settings, your child might benefit from a little nutritional help. The Linus Pauling Institute reports that without the right mix and balance of vitamins, minerals, and other types of nutrients, your child may have a decreased ability to concentrate. Supplements might be a safe and effective aide.
Consider All Causes
Pediatric experts are hesitant to recommend supplements without good reason. Dr. Janet McKenzie says if your child is having difficulty focusing, work with your doctor to address the true cause. Common causes for lack of focus in children include inadequate calories, especially in kids who skip meals; inadequate hydration; lack of restful sleep; restlessness due to lack of physical exercise; and emotional factors like worry, anxiety and depression. Less common causes include medical conditions like anemia, ADD and ADHD. Chinese medicine practitioner, Joan Boccino, M.S., L.Ac., concurs with the need to address underlying patterns causing the problem, especially stress because your child's digestion and stress are an important consideration in any intellectual activity. Dr. Michael Wald, Director of Nutritional Services at Integrated Medicine & Nutrition, adds, "Diet is always the first focus. Make sure that protein, carbohydrates and healthy fats are there."
Vitamin-Boosting Foods
The best way to meet your body's nutritional needs is with whole foods. Wald lists some foods that are particularly high in the micronutrients your child's brain needs: "Avocados, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, besides a big variety of fruits and vegetables will help ensure general health and well-being." Boccino agrees that whole foods and proper diet are the best approach for treating this problem. Parents should ensure that kids are eating enough brain foods like fish, leafy greens, whole grains, beans, lentils, seeds and nuts. Dr. McKenzie says "These foods are high in the B-vitamins and omega fatty acids needed for proper brain development and function"
Focus-Inducing Supplements
The right vitamins taken regularly can at least help your child's body and mind start out at the optimal baseline for cognitive success. Pyridoxine, or vitamin B-6, plays a big role in the making of your brain's chemicals, and some research links B-6 supplementation to improved cognition. One of the most commonly known and used supplements, Omega-3 fatty acids, are believed to influence your brain's functions. Laurie Walsh, LCSW, L.Ac., an acupuncturist who specializes in ADHD, says her experience has demonstrated the positive impact of omega-3 fatty acids on focus, attentional, and distractability issues for patients of all ages. Walsh says, "Omega-3's help with so much, I always suggest them for my pediatric patients as long as there are no co-existing/co-morbid bleeding issues."
Common Sense Supplementing
It is possible to ingest toxic levels of some supplements, at worst, but even more likely is the possibility you'll waste money on ineffective vitamins. Developmental behavioral pediatrician, Dr. Mark Bertin, says in his book, "The Family ADHD Solution: A Scientific Approach to Maximizing Your Child's Attention and Minimizing Parental Stress" about supplements and problems with focusing: "Correcting true nutritional deficiencies may improve attention, such as low levels of iron and possibly zinc. This does not mean supplements improve attention in otherwise healthy children. Likewise, some studies show taking fish oil or omega-3 fatty acids benefits attention, and other studies found it makes no difference at all. If there is benefit to omega-3 fatty acids it likely hinges on making sure kids get an adequate minimum, ideally through food and never through mega-doses." Dr. Bertin emphasizes that recurring difficulties with focus should be evaluated by a qualified professional.
If You're Not Ready to Supplement
There are some things you can look for in your child's behavior prior to making the choice to supplement their diet. McKenzie explains there are a number of things parents can do to address a non-pathological loss of focus. Assess your children's diet, how much water they consume, how much rest and exercise they're getting and whether or not there are stressful situations at home or at school. Keep your child's diet low in sugar and food additives. Provide a low glycemic diet based on whole foods. Consider screening for symptoms of food sensitivities such as spaciness and "brain fog. Other common symptoms include skin rashes like acne, headaches, tummy aches, changes in bowel habits, chronic cough or postnasal drip and sinusitis.
References
- Oregon State University Linus Pauling Institute: Micronutrient Information
- Janet McKenzie; Naturopathic Physician, Perfect Balance Natural Health Care; Hamilton, Ontario
- Dr. Michael B. Wald; Director of Nutritional Services, Integrated Medicine & Nutrition; New York
- Joan Boccino; Herbs and Healing; New York City
- Laurie Walsh, LCSW, L.Ac.; chief executive manager, Insight Integrative Healing; Chicago
- "The Family ADHD Solution: A Scientific Approach to Maximizing Your Child's Attention and Minimizing Parental Stress"; Mark Bertin, M.D.; 2011
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