Overview
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects about 4.5 million children between the ages of five and 17. More common in boys than girls, 3 to 7 percent of school-aged children in the U.S. suffer from ADHD. While the exact cause is unknown, ADHD is likely the result of a combination of risk factors, including genetic, biological, environmental and psychosocial.
Diagnosis and Symptoms
Preliminary diagnosis by a child’s parent or teacher is common, but complete evaluation by a trained professional is critical for a definitive diagnosis of ADHD. Mental health professionals use the criteria in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV to ensure appropriate diagnosis of ADHD.
ADHD primarily presents with characteristics of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. These characteristics may show up as a child with difficulty sitting still, tendency to act without thinking first and a tendency to start things without finishing them. The symptoms must last more than six months and cause problems at school, home and socially for the diagnosis of ADHD to fit.
Sugar and ADHD
Consumption of sugar is commonly associated with ADHD. This is in part because the symptoms of the “crash” that comes after eating a high-sugar or carbohydrate meal can look a lot like the symptoms of ADHD. When the blood sugar is low, the body releases stress hormones that cause children to become fidgety and have difficulty concentrating. The best way to remedy this is to avoid high-sugar or carbohydrate meals. Make sure that the child’s meal has adequate fat and protein to balance out carbohydrate calories.
Other Dietary Considerations
One popular “alternative” diet used to treat ADHD is the Feingold diet. Feingold promotes the elimination of food additives and salicylates as a means to alleviate symptoms of ADHD and other illnesses. The diet mostly consists of a large proportion of fruits and vegetables, foods likely to be healthier than what most children are consuming. Research supporting the Feingold diet is limited, but anecdotal evidence is enough to cause parents to consider at least a few-week trial of the diet to see if it helps their child.
One reason a diet high in fruits and vegetables can help alleviate ADHD symptoms is that they contain phytonutrients that are beneficial in supporting the body’s built-in detoxification pathways. Since environmental factors (i.e. toxins from pollutants in the air, water and foods) are correlated with ADHD, it’s a good idea to support these pathways of toxin elimination.
Important Nutrients
The Pediatric Clinic of North America reports that a growing body of evidence supports the use of an essential fatty acid (EFA) supplement in children with ADHD. EFAs are found in certain foods–fish, flax, walnuts, brazil nuts and cashews–foods that are not common in most children’s diets.
One study reported that supplementing zinc reduces symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity and socialization difficulties in kids with ADHD. Nutrient deficiency in selenium, magnesium, B vitamins and iron are also correlated with symptoms of ADHD. After testing and evaluation, a naturopathic doctor (ND) can help reveal which nutrients may be involved in an individual’s symptoms and what supplementation dose is appropriate.
Herbal Remedies
Very few studies have looked at the efficacy of herbal treatments for ADHD. Research has shown that a combination of Ginkgo biloba and Panax quinquefolius improves memory and facilitates learning in children with ADHD. Other herbs that may be helpful for ADHD are Gotu Kola and Holy Basil.
About this Author
Dr. Holly German, has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine. She currently owns and operates a private naturopathic family practice. She also teaches health and wellness with University of Phoenix and she writes for a Santa Cruz, Calif., publication, Connection Magazine as well as for Demand Studios.
