ADHD Diet Therapy–does it matter? Yes, in most cases it matters a great deal! Here’s why—
Recent studies are showing a significant linkage between exposure to toxins such as mercury, lead, pesticides, and in utero smoking to higher levels of ADHD (and Autism).
Some studies have reported a variety of nutritional deficiencies in autism/ADHD patients and numerous studies have reported that supplemental nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, zinc, magnesium, and phytochemicals may provide moderate benefits to autism/ADHD patients.
Avoidance of food allergens, food chemicals, and chelation therapy may also provide some relief to autism/ADHD patients.
Are you surprised to learn that there are this many common links between ADHD and autism? and that they mostly involve every day environment and/or diet? You’re in good company. But that’s changing as more and more people are becoming educated about diet and ADHD.
This can be scary information, until we stop a moment and consider… there are action steps we can take as parents (or adults with ADHD) to make this condition more bearable for everyone involved, and possibly alleviate it to a large degree.
Basic ADHD Diet Therapy for kids
Eat organic Food: it’s best to feed your children organic whole foods. You can even make your own baby food, or buy prepared organic baby food. This is our first line of defense against pesticides and other toxins in our food supply.
You really need to eliminate the pesticides, additives, and toxins that ruin concentration and increase hyperactivity in some sensitive kids.
Don’t eat high-mercury fish: Nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of mercury, which can really pull down kids’ ability to think and concentrate. Critical side effects occur at lower exposure doses than for adults. We recommend that kids with ADHD avoid shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish.
Test for gluten intolerance: If your child is gluten-sensitive, removing it from their diet can produce dramatic and almost immediate results. About 1% of all people are sensitive to gluten, but the percentage is much higher in children with ADHD. Your doctor can check for gluten sensitivity with a blood test. There is gluten in wheat, barley, rye and some products processed alongside wheat in the same facility.
Add DHA supplements: ADHD is much more common in boys with low levels of DHA an omega 3 essential fatty acid that plays a key role in brain function. The best ones come from marine algae. Doctors usually recommend 400 mg per day for kids.
Add multi-vitamins: All children should take a multivitamin, but it is doubly critical for kids with ADHD. It’s possible to get an Intracellular Vitamin Analysis from a doctor to get a better idea of which vitamins and minerals your child might need more of in his or her diet.
Look at other brain-specific nutrients: Some doctors use five supplements (besides DHA) as the foundation of an ADHD diet: N-acetyl-cysteine, Phosphatidylserine, Alpha lipoic acid, Coenzyme Q-10, and Ginkgo Biloba. These are also used as an anti aging treatment for older adults, and all five have been clinically proven to protect the brain and enhance brain function.