Children With ADHD - Is Your Diet Making It Worse?

The connection between children with ADHD and diet is still being studied. The first theory linking the two is that children with ADHD are not getting enough nutrients from their diet. Children with ADHD typically have low energy levels, are often impulsive and have a hard time sitting down and focusing. A lack of fiber in the diet, allergies, and genetics could be causing some of these problems. It is very difficult to figure out what the cause of ADHD is because there are so many other contributing factors. The jury is still out on this one. 

Traditional clinical research finds that there is no evidence to support the following radical diets such as the Feingold diet, which completely eliminates most refined carbohydrates and most fruits and vegetables from a child's diet. Dr. William Pelsser, M.D., author of the book "Cell Biology: From Cells to Behavior" supports the view that ADHD may be caused by nutrition deficiencies. Dr. Pelsser advocates the use of dietary supplements along with his ADHD behavior therapy program for treating ADHD and says that this combination is the best way to treat the condition. 

Another nutritional supplement that Dr. Pelsser advocates to use with ADHD is Nutro. He advocates that a diet supplement or a dietary group as opposed to the use of psychostimulants should be used for children with ADHD. The nutrient values for Nutro are similar to those found in Metamucil, a tablet containing Metamucil that is taken with a meal. Metamucil is not recommended for children younger than four. According to Dr. Pelsser, "This seems a strange thing to recommend. I have never seen anyone suggest that ADHD should be treated with an antidepressant". 

One aspect of diet and ADHD that concerns both Pelsser and Arnold is that certain foods have a negative impact on the health of an individual. They say that artificial food colors and flavorings can make children with ADHD more hyperactive. In addition to diet, they recommend a decreased consumption of sugar and overly processed food in children with ADHD or at risk for it. These recommendations are similar to those of the American Dietetic Association who states that a low-sugar diet is beneficial for ADHD and good for overall body health. 

One challenge parents have with ADHD children is trying to balance their diet with the medications they prescribe. According to Pelsser and Arnold, the best way to do this is to add a specific nutritional 

supplement to the child's ADHD medications. For example, if a parent has a dose of Ritalin to treat their child's attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, but they also take Adderall, the best way to ensure their child's health is to supplement their medication with a good quality nutraceutical. Using this method, parents can alleviate the negative effects of stimulant medications without negatively affecting their child's health. 

Pelsser and Arnold also recommend using dietary supplements together with other forms of ADHD behavioral therapy to maximize the effects of the medications. They recommend a combination of vitamins, minerals, herbal extracts, amino acids, and essential fatty acids. With the right blend of dietary supplements along with behavior therapy and ADHD behavioral therapy, parents can find that their children with ADHD are not only getting the proper nutrition they need but are also experiencing a positive behavioral change as a result of the medications and therapy. 

The brown spots diet is one of several new methods of treating children with ADHD symptoms. This diet is based on the theory that children with ADHD symptoms tend to have less of the serotonin in their brain than healthy children. According to the brown spots diet, a deficiency of serotonin can cause the child to act in a certain way. The diet recommends a variety of natural food that is low in carbohydrates, has a high level of nutrients, and includes natural herbs and spices. 

The diet doesn't name specific drugs or medication, it is recommending that ADHD patients eat or take. This diet is different from traditional ADHD medications because it emphasizes a holistic approach to healing and treatment. However, there are foods that children with ADHD may already be consuming that can help them with their symptoms. ADHD children who are diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can start to feel better through a diet full of natural food that is lower in carbohydrates, higher in nutrients, and includes natural herbs and spices for better brain functioning.

If you would like some further guidance and support on managing your ADHD over the festive season, then please contact us at the ADHD Centre on 0800 061 4276 or via [email protected] for an in-depth ADHD assessment to improve your understanding of the disorder and to know what treatment method is fit for you or them.