Study: Healthy Diet May be as Good as Ritalin in Treating ADHD in Kids

A study done by McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts suggests that a healthy diet might be just as effective as Ritalin as a treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD.

Results of this study indicated that certain dietary supplements had virtually the same positive effects on the subjects as those who were taking Ritalin to combat their Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

The researchers addressed eight factors and dietary deficiencies believed to be associated with causing symptoms of ADHD, and supplements provided to the children in the study reflecting these deficiencies.

High-Carb Diet

Researchers believe a diet high in refined carbohydrates, like sugars, processed cereals and breads, and a lack of quality protein sources and complex carbs found in whole grains, vegetables and beans is a factor in causing ADHD symptoms.

Additive and Food Allergies

Food sensitivities and allergies are sometimes found in ADHD patients. Food sensitivities can be caused by any foods. However, some foods allergies are more common than others. Eggs, wheat, rye, oats, soy, milk, cheese, corn, peanuts, almonds and other nuts often cause sensitivities. Food additives and dyes are also found to cause allergies as well. Elimination of the food has been found to cause improvements in ADHD behaviors.

Heavy Metal Toxicity

A significantly larger amount of cadmium and aluminum have been found in ADHD patients. Lead toxicity is also found to cause hyperactivity in children.

Mineral Imbalances

Mineral deficiencies of Iron, Zinc and Magnesium have been found in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder patients. Zinc deficiencies have also been found to interfere with medications.

Thyroid Disorders

Some studies indicate a thyroid imbalance may be involved in certain ADHD cases.

B-Vitamin Deficiencies

Supplements in the b vitamin group have been shown to improve some ADHD behaviors.

Amino Acid Deficiencies

Another study indicates some Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder patients have significantly lower levels of certain necessary amino acids. The difficulty may be in the absorption and metabolism of the amino acids.

Essential Fatty Acid Deficiencies

ADHD patients, especially children, tend to have difficulties with the absorption and metabolisation of essential fatty acids. Inadequate intake of these fatty acids may also be a factor in some cases, especially where there are other dietary deficiencies.

The supplements given to the children in the Massachusetts study were a mixture of vitamins and minerals, essential fatty acids, phospholipids, amino acids, proboitics and phytonutrients that were used to combat the various deficiencies and toxicity believed to be culprits in causing the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

While there are several studies on the effects of nutritional cures for ADHD, there still remains the fact that many Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder sufferers have well balanced diets, and may have other factors, including genetic, contributing to their ADHD.

Sources:
http://www.healing-arts.org/children/ADHD/nutritional.htm#Overview
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12946241?dopt=Abstract