A gluten-free diet is used in the treatment of celiac disease more than any other disorder. People with celiac disease suffer an abnormal immune response when they eat foods containing gluten. The gluten found in wheat, rye and barley causes inflammation in the small intestines, damaging the villi that absorb vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Research has shown a potential link between celiac disease and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, causing some parents to believe eliminating gluten from their child's diet will improve symptoms associated with ADHD.
Gluten-Free Diet
In a gluten-free diet, all foods containing gluten are eliminated. Besides wheat, rye and barley, gluten is found in bulgur, durham, semolina and spelt. Most breads, cereals, pastas, cookies, crackers, cakes, salad dressings, sauces and gravies also contain gluten. Even oats, which are often contaminated with wheat during processing, should be avoided as well.
Evidence
A study published in the June 2004 issue of "Pediatrics," the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, found that people with celiac disease were more likely to develop neurological disorders, such as ADHD, than others. In fact, more than 50 percent of the participants with celiac disease also suffered from a neurological condition, whereas less than 20 percent were affected in the control group. When switched to a gluten-free diet, symptoms only improved in individuals with infantile hypotonia and migraine headaches. All other neurological disorders, including ADHD, were not affected by the dietary changes. That being said, a study published in the November 2006 "Journal of Attention Disorders" saw an improvement in ADHD-like symptoms in people with celiac disease who followed a gluten-free diet for 6 months. However, the participants were not diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, but only with symptoms similar to the condition.
Food Additives
While there is conflicting evidence when it comes to gluten, a link has been made between food additives and ADHD. According to John Huxsahl, a child psychiatrist writing for MayoClinic.com, certain preservatives and food colorings may worsen hyperactivity in some children with ADHD. The likeliest culprits include sodium benzoate and the colorings FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Red No. 40 and D&C Yellow No. 10. Ask your doctor if eliminating these additives may improve symptoms associated with ADHD.
Treatment
If dietary changes prove ineffective in alleviating ADHD symptoms, discuss other options, such as medication and counseling, with your doctor. Since ADHD is a complex disorder, a standardized treatment doesn't necessarily exist. Any treatment plan should meet your individual needs.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Children; February 2011
- MayoClinic.com; ADHD Diet: Do Food Additives Cause Hyperactivity?; John Huxsahl; November 2009
- "Journal of Attention Disorders"; A Preliminary Investigation of ADHD Symptoms in Persons with Celiac Disease; H. Niederhofer and K. Pittschieler, November 2006
- "Pediatrics"; Range of Neurologic Disorders in Patients with Celiac Disease; Nathaniel Zelnik, et al.; June 2004
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