ADHD, Natural Supplements and Nutrition
When parents are confronted with the possibility of giving their child stimulant medications, they often seek an alternative in the form of natural supplements and will ask me if I believe in successful ADHD treatments with supplements or dietary changes alone. Asking my belief in "natural" supplements is like asking my belief in penicillin or insulin. I believe in the most appropriate treatment or combination of treatments for any given condition.
Everyone should take a multivitamin with minerals, a fish oil capsule (omega-3 fatty acids), and an antioxidant such as super blue-green algae, whether they have AD/HD or not.
Nutrition, Sugar and AD/HD
Numerous studies have looked at sugar and AD/HD, and there seems to be little correlation. There does seem to be a rare child who becomes more hyperactive after eating candy or cookies. A very small percentage of children with AD/HD might have an allergy to food dyes, wheat, milk, and might become more hyperactive with sugar, but the majority of children with AD/HD do not.
Nutrition is extremely important for everyone, especially for children with AD/HD. Our brain needs adequate nutrition to function. A high protein, low carbohydrate diet is most effective for focus for most children (and adults) with AD/HD.
A cereal with sugar or a sweet roll for breakfast will trigger the release of insulin, which will decrease blood sugar and the child won't be able to focus in school, even if they are on medications for their AD/HD.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Studies are conflicting about whether omega-3 fatty acids are helpful for AD/HD. The latest study that I read found that they were beneficial. They have been found beneficial for some people suffering from depression related to bipolar disorder more than other forms of depression.
It wouldn't make sense to try omega-3 fatty acids unless you address other issues involved with AD/HD symptoms, including adequate sleep, adequate nutrition (especially a high protein, low carbohydrate breakfast), elimination of soda with caffeine or other beverages containing caffeine, regular exercise, or essentially doing things that are good for your brain and eliminating things that are bad for your brain.
Natural Supplements
So far, scientific studies of natural supplements have not found them to be effective in treating AD/HD. Most supplements are mixtures of vitamins and minerals that are lacking in a very small percentage of children with AD/HD. When they are lacking, supplements would help, only the majority of children with AD/HD aren't deficient in zinc, iron, or magnesium, etc.
Suggested Reading: The chapter on supplements in Dr. Daniel Amen's book, "Healing ADD" for additional information on nutrition and supplements, which includes recommendations for parents who do not want to use medications.
Related Topics: Be Smart about Integrative Medicine, 5 Tips to Improve Your Nutrition
Technorati Tags: ADHD, ADD, AD/HD, nutrition, supplements
Everyone should take a multivitamin with minerals, a fish oil capsule (omega-3 fatty acids), and an antioxidant such as super blue-green algae, whether they have AD/HD or not.
Nutrition, Sugar and AD/HD
Numerous studies have looked at sugar and AD/HD, and there seems to be little correlation. There does seem to be a rare child who becomes more hyperactive after eating candy or cookies. A very small percentage of children with AD/HD might have an allergy to food dyes, wheat, milk, and might become more hyperactive with sugar, but the majority of children with AD/HD do not.
Nutrition is extremely important for everyone, especially for children with AD/HD. Our brain needs adequate nutrition to function. A high protein, low carbohydrate diet is most effective for focus for most children (and adults) with AD/HD.
A cereal with sugar or a sweet roll for breakfast will trigger the release of insulin, which will decrease blood sugar and the child won't be able to focus in school, even if they are on medications for their AD/HD.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Studies are conflicting about whether omega-3 fatty acids are helpful for AD/HD. The latest study that I read found that they were beneficial. They have been found beneficial for some people suffering from depression related to bipolar disorder more than other forms of depression.
It wouldn't make sense to try omega-3 fatty acids unless you address other issues involved with AD/HD symptoms, including adequate sleep, adequate nutrition (especially a high protein, low carbohydrate breakfast), elimination of soda with caffeine or other beverages containing caffeine, regular exercise, or essentially doing things that are good for your brain and eliminating things that are bad for your brain.
Natural Supplements
So far, scientific studies of natural supplements have not found them to be effective in treating AD/HD. Most supplements are mixtures of vitamins and minerals that are lacking in a very small percentage of children with AD/HD. When they are lacking, supplements would help, only the majority of children with AD/HD aren't deficient in zinc, iron, or magnesium, etc.
Suggested Reading: The chapter on supplements in Dr. Daniel Amen's book, "Healing ADD" for additional information on nutrition and supplements, which includes recommendations for parents who do not want to use medications.
Related Topics: Be Smart about Integrative Medicine, 5 Tips to Improve Your Nutrition
Technorati Tags: ADHD, ADD, AD/HD, nutrition, supplements
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