| There has been increasing research with respect to | | | | listed that you can't pronounce, don't buy it. |
| the ADHD diet and other aspects of nutrition that may | | | | Eliminate fried foods by as much as 90%. |
| be involved in the successful treatment of | | | | Eliminate all food coloring, particularly red and yellow. |
| Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The nutritional | | | | Remember, make the changes gradually one at a time. |
| management of ADHD is one aspect that has been | | | | That way you can test whether the change helped or |
| relatively neglected to date, but food additives, refined | | | | not. |
| sugars, food sensitivities/allergies, and fatty acid | | | | As always, work with your doctor when attempting |
| deficiencies have all been linked to ADHD. | | | | any ADHD diet. |
| There is increasing evidence that many children with | | | | ADHD Diet Supplements |
| behavioral problems are sensitive to one or more food | | | | A supplementation ADHD diet involves adding vitamins, |
| components that can negatively impact their behavior. | | | | minerals, or other nutrients to make up for deficiencies |
| We know that food has a tremendous impact on | | | | in one's diet that may contribute to ADHD symptoms. |
| mood states. Consider the infamous "sugar crash" or | | | | At the Pomeranian Medical Academy in Poland, the |
| how sluggish one feels soon after consuming a large, | | | | effects of magnesium supplements on hyperactivity in |
| greasy meal. Conversely, think about the alertness and | | | | children diagnosed with ADHD was examined in order |
| energy one feels after eating healthy food. | | | | to test a hypothesis that a magnesium deficiency may |
| As a result, diet modification is playing an increasingly | | | | be involved in the etiology in ADHD. |
| important role in the management of ADHD and should | | | | The study comprised 50 hyperactive children |
| be considered as part of the treatment protocol. While | | | | diagnosed with ADHD, aged 7-12 years, with a |
| there is no "cure" for ADHD, diet is being increasingly | | | | magnesium deficiency proven via blood samples. |
| included in ADHD treatments along with the | | | | The children were given 200 mg/day for six months. |
| time-tested treatments of ADHD medications and The | | | | At the end of treatment, hyperactivity was assessed |
| Total Focus Program. | | | | using the Conner'ss Rating Scale for Parents and |
| Types of ADHD Diets | | | | Teachers, the Wender's Scale of Behavior, and the |
| The Elimination Diet | | | | Quotient of Development to Freedom from |
| Elimination diets involve removing foods or ingredients | | | | Distractibility. |
| that are suspected of contributing to ADHD | | | | The children given 6 months of magnesium |
| symptoms. | | | | supplementation exhibited a significant decrease of |
| A study conducted at the University of Eindhoven, | | | | hyperactivity compared to the control group which had |
| Netherlands, for example, investigated the effect of an | | | | not been treated with magnesium. |
| elimination diet on children ages 3-7 years old with a | | | | ADHD Diet Examples |
| diagnosis of ADHD. The elimination diet in this case | | | | In general, a rule of thumb is that whatever is good for |
| was based on the Few Foods Diet (rice, turkey, pear | | | | the brain is likely to be good for ADHD. World |
| and lettuce). | | | | renowned brain researcher and ADHD expert Dr. |
| According the results, 62% of the children showed an | | | | Daniel Amen recommends these ADHD diet |
| improvement in behavior according to the Conner's | | | | suggestions: |
| Behavior list and ADHD Rating Scale. Their conclusion | | | | -Eat a high-protein diet that includes beans, cheese, |
| is that in young children with ADHD an elimination diet | | | | eggs, meat, nuts, or protein supplements. They are |
| can lead to a statistically significant decrease in | | | | thought to improve concentration and possibly increase |
| symptoms. | | | | the time ADHD medications work. |
| What To Eliminate | | | | -Reduce simple carbohydrates such as candy, corn |
| Eliminate dairy products. This is the most important | | | | syrup, honey, sugar, products made from white flour, |
| restriction. Almond milk, rice milk, and soy milk are great | | | | white rice, and potatoes without the skins. |
| alternatives to cow milk. (Remember: cow's milk is for | | | | -Eat more complex carbohydrates such as veggies, |
| baby cows, not people.) Drink more water instead. | | | | fruits (including oranges, tangerines, pears, grapefruit, |
| Eliminate yellow foods such as corn and squash. | | | | apples, and kiwi). Eating complex carbs at night may |
| Bananas are ok. | | | | aid sleep. |
| Eliminate junk foods. If it comes in a cellophane | | | | -Eat more Omega acids which are found in tuna, |
| wrapper, don't eat it. | | | | salmon, other cold-water white fish, walnuts, Brazil nuts, |
| Eliminate fruit juice because it has high sugar content. | | | | and olive and canola oil. Omega-3 fatty acids are also |
| Reduce sugar intake by as much as 90%. No | | | | available in supplement form such flax seed oil and |
| chocolate, Nutrasweet, etc. | | | | primrose oil. |
| Eliminate processed meats. If the meat has chemicals | | | | |