5 Things You Need to Know About Natural Remedies for Children With ADHD

1. Eat Chemical-free

Attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity, or ADHD, is has been linked to food additives, food sensitivities and sugar consumption. Therefore, it's no surprise that some practitioners take a nutritional approach to treating the disorder.

The Feingold hypothesis, based on the research of Benjamin Feingold, MD, says that 40 percent to 50 percent of children with ADHD are sensitive to artificial food colors, flavors and preservatives. Therefore, if you or your child has ADHD, it's a good idea to eliminate these additives to determine if you are one of the almost one in two people affected by these chemicals.

2. Gain Iron With Liver

Almost any vitamin or mineral deficiency can result in impaired brain function. Iron deficiency is the most common problem seen in children in the United States. A multivitamin with iron as well as eating iron-rich foods like liver, wheat brain or sunflower seeds can help improve concentration if there is an iron deficiency.

3. Add More Protein to Your Diet

Hyperkinetic children and adults respond better to a high protein, low carbohydrate, sugar-free diet. A study of boys with ADHD showed that they excreted more nitrogen than boys without ADHD did after a high-protein meal. This led researchers to realize that people with ADHD need more protein in their diets. When they eat more protein, most people with ADHD are calmer and are better able to discriminate between different stimuli, which make it easier for them to learn.

4. Herbs May Help

A number of companies sell herbal supplements that allegedly help control ADHD naturally. Some common herbs that are used are Centella asiatica, which promotes mental clarity; Panax Ginseng, credited with reducing stress and increasing energy and motivation; and Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary, which promotes cerebral blood flow.) There have been few well-controlled studies in humans using these supplements. If you do decide to take these supplements, tell your doctor if you are taking a prescription medication.

5. Vitamin B May Be the Answer

Vitamin B6 converts tryptophan to serotonin. It is helpful for patients with ADHD whose serotonin levels are low. Other patients have also benefitted from taking vitamin B complexes. However, these supplements appear to work when there is a vitamin B deficiency, which is not a problem for all patients with ADHD.