ADHD Diet

What is ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) is a chronic disorder, which is characterized by hyperactivity, impulsive behavior and inattention. Its victims are typically children, from different parts of the world, who may continue to suffer well into their adulthood from it. Such children have low self-esteem, poor performance in school and troubled personal relationships. Several factors contribute in developing this disorder such as altered brain function and anatomy, heredity, maternal smoking, drug abuse and exposure to toxins during pregnancy and childhood exposure to environmental toxins.

Signs and Symptoms of ADHD

ADHD is also referred to as hyperactivity or attention-deficit disorder (ADD) or minimal brain dysfunction. Symptoms of ADHD fall in two categories such as inattention and hyperactivity-impulsive behavior. In most children, the symptoms of ADHD appear before the age of 7. The signs of inattention include failure to pay close attention to details and making careless mistakes, avoiding the tasks that need sustained mental efforts such as homework, frequent loss of everyday items such as pencils, books or tools. Signs and symptoms related to hyperactivity-impulsiveness are frequent squirms or fidgets, often running or climbing excessively, restlessness and excessive talking. Signs of ADHD may be different in boys and girls. Generally, boys are hyperactive, while girls are likely to be inattentive. ADHD starts in childhood and it may persist in adulthood. Adults with ADHD have symptoms like poor concentration, hyperactivity, mood swings, an inability to complete tasks, to deal with stress, impulsivity and temper outburst.

Treatment for ADHD

Treatment for ADHD involves a combination of therapy and medications. Children with ADHD often benefit from behavior therapy provided by a psychologist, psychiatrist or social worker. Counseling therapies include psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, family therapy, social skills training, parenting skills training and support groups. Commonly prescribed medications to treat ADHD in children and adults are methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine and dextroamphetamine. However, before taking any kind of medications, you should consult the doctor. In addition to these conventional treatment options, ADHD diet is also one of the effective treatment options.

ADHD and Diet

Dietary factors contribute a lot in treating ADHD. ADHD diet with vitamins and essential nutrients is recommended for children with ADHD. Omega-3 is a type of polyunsaturated fat. It is an essential fatty acid found in vegetables like walnuts, hemp and flax and certain kind of fish like salmon, sardine and tuna. ADHD diet should be rich in Omega-3 fatty acids as it plays a major role in proper brain functioning. ADHD diet should also contain high amount of proteins and low carbohydrate foods. High protein diet including cheese, nuts, beans, meat and eggs can improve mental concentration. Children with ADHD should eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, as they are rich sources of essential vitamins and minerals.

What to exclude from ADHD Diet?

Dietary factors like caffeine and sugar and other common allergens like milk, wheat and eggs are responsible to increase hyperactivity. Caffeine is a stimulant and it is not recommended for a child with ADHD to consume caffeine-containing drinks. Foods with additives and chemicals such as synthetic coloring, artificial flavoring, artificial preservatives, salicylates, artificial sweeteners and other food additives like sodium benzoate, sulfites are recommended to exclude from children’s diet. Foods rich in sugar like fruit juice and chocolates should also be excluded.

Dietary Tips for Children with ADHD

Here are some helpful dietary tips, which can be useful in treating the kids with ADHD:

• Organic foods: Organic foods, which are free from additives, pesticides and toxins, are beneficial for children with ADHD. These factors can negatively affect concentration and increase hyperactivity.
• Avoid high-mercury fish: Almost all fish and shellfish consist of traces of mercury, which affect child’s ability to think and concentrate. Hence, it is recommended that children with ADHD should avoid high mercury fish such as swordfish, shark, tilefish and mackerel.
• Gluten sensitivity: Children with ADHD may be sensitive to gluten. Child’s gluten sensitivity is detected through a blood test. If the child is sensitive to gluten, then you may exclude gluten-containing foods such as wheat and barley from the diet.
• Add multi-vitamins: Multi-vitamins are important for children with ADHD. Intracellular vitamin analysis can be done to get an idea about which vitamins and minerals should be added to the diet.

ADHD is a serious behavioral problem in children. Adding some essential nutrients and food supplements to the diet is thus, an effective way to treat ADHS. Besides, such supplements in the diet are also good for the healthy growth.