ADHD Support, Information & Resources

Although there is no concrete evidence that dietary adjustments can affect ADHD symptoms, some research studies suggest that in some cases, certain foods may have positive effects on ADHD symptoms while some foods may exacerbate them. Elimination diets, which involve the elimination of all but the “safest” foods from the diet and subsequently re-introducing those foods back into the diet one at a time in order to identify problematic foods, have already been discussed in the article “ADHD Diet Treatment”. Here, we’ll talk about some foods that may be good for people with ADHD to include in their diet.

1)Foods Containing Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Some studies done on this subject do suggest fish oil or essential fatty acids to be effective in improving ADHD symptoms, especially in ADHD children. Types of fish that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids include sardines, trout, mackerel, herring, tuna, and salmon.

2)Foods High in Zinc

Some studies suggest that a combination of conventional ADHD meds and zinc supplementation can improve impulsivity and hyperactivity in ADHD children. Foods that contain zinc include oysters, other seafood, chicken and other poultry, milk and dairy products, red meat, nuts and beans, and whole grains.

3)Vitamin B Foods

B vitamins can improve brain activity and reduce stress. Some foods that provide B vitamins include soy, fish, fruits, whole-grain products such as breads and cereals, nuts, meats, milk, eggs, and leafy green vegetables.

4)Foods Rich in Iron

Studies have found that some ADHD children are iron deficient, and that when the iron deficiency is treated, the ADHD symptoms also improved. Some foods that are rich in iron are beef (especially liver), chicken (again, especially liver), spinach, and black and lima beans.

5)Foods that Contain Magnesium

Just as for iron, it is found that some ADHD individuals are also magnesium deficient. In this case, eating foods that contain magnesium may help to reduce symptoms of ADHD. The fact that our body cannot produce magnesium, combined with the the fact that the additives and toxins we ingest frequently interferes with our body’s absorption of this nutrient, makes it all the more important to make sure that we consciously include enough of it in our diet. Some of the foods that contain magnesium include spinach, almonds, peanuts and peanut butter, cashews, raisins, bananas, avocado, halibut, natural plain yogurt, cooked lentils, and black-eyed peas.

Warning
You are strongly advised to seek input from your doctor/therapist before making any changes to your diet.

Due to the fact that conventional ADHD medicines are causing unpleasant and sometimes serious side effects, it’s no wonder that many ADHD sufferers are turning to safer treatment options such as herbal remedies for ADHD. The good news is that research on ADHD herbal remedies have shown promising results.

Chinese Herbal Formulas

Studies on the effects of Chinese herbs on ADHD symptoms have also been done by professionals in the traditional Chinese medical field. According to traditional Chinese medicine theories, people that have ADHD are lacking in what is known as “Kidney Yin energy”. Herbs that are associated with Kidney Yin energy, that are used to treat ADHD, include Dioscorea opposita, Acori graminei root, Polygala root, Phellodendron bark, Anemarrhena root, and Rehmannia root.

Some of these studies done on Chinese herbs have shown exciting and positive results. In a trial conducted in 1987, 326 children between 4-16 were treated with an herbal remedy called “Jing Ling Extract” for 3 months, and improvement in ADHD symptoms were observed in 94.8% of the cases, where 31.9% of the children were cured (the criteria for being “cured” are “disappearance of all clinical symptoms, significant improvement in school records, negative coordinate movement test, and no recurrence for 6 months”). (Reference: HarryHong.com)

Other Chinese herbal formula that have been found effective include Tiaoshen Liquor and Yizhi syrup. (Reference: Healing-Arts.org.

Warning

Please consult with your physician or therapist regarding the use of herbal remedies as a treatment option for your ADHD or that of a loved one. Also be reminded that although most herbal remedies cause little or no side effects, they may interfere with your current meds, so be sure to talk to your doctor before embarking on any experimentation.

“Is ADHD real?” “Does ADHD really exist?” These are commonly asked questions, and depending on who you ask, you will get different answers.

At one end of the spectrum are people that are 100% convinced ADHD exists. Most of these people, including medical professionals, ADHD sufferers, and their loved ones, are convinced because they observe or experience major differences pre- and post-treatment. This is especially true for ADHD sufferers and/or loved ones that have tried every conceivable method to change their lives for the better and failing miserably before they or their loved one is diagnosed with ADHD and receive proper treatment that changed things for the better.

On the other end of the spectrum are those that are passionately against putting the ADHD label on individuals, believing firmly that the condition is bogus. A major reason that contributes to this sentiment is the fact that there are a vast number of possible causes for the symptoms that are associated with ADHD, including a number of medical problems, emotional issues, and normal variations in behavior. Peter R. Breggin, director of the International Center for the Study of Psychiatry and Psychology and the author of “Talking Back To Ritalin”, goes as far as to say, referring to children that are diagnosed with ADHD but are really normal or suffering from other problems, that “These are the types of [normal] children who get diagnosed as suffering ADHD and who get subdued with stimulants and other medications.” Breggin, along with many authorities in the medical and psychology fields, refuse to acknowledge that ADHD even exists.

Another argument in support of the non-existence of ADHD goes as follows: In the old days, children were free to play outside in the streets, playgrounds, and parks; parents and children spent more time communicating; life was slower-paced in general. Comparatively, kids today are cooped up indoors, and the much faster pace of people’s lives today are causing parents to spend less and less time with their children. As a result, kids are acting up in frustration and in the form of hyperactivity and impulsive behavior in order to fight for the attention of adults such as parents and teachers.

As well, some of these people that don’t believe in ADHD believe it to be a bogus condition that teachers are using as an excuse to pressure the parents of difficult or troublesome students into using drugs to make them easier to handle.

And of course, in between the two ends of the spectrum – firm believers of ADHD’s existence vs. firm believers of it’s non-existence – there are people who believe in the existence of this controversial condition to varying degrees, depending on personal experience and perception etc.

At the end of the day, only you can decide for yourself what to believe in. Be informed of the various opinions and possibilities, seek out a qualified professional who is open-minded and is willing to work with you in exploring the various possible causes and treatment options, and you’ll be well on your way towards eliminating your symptoms or bringing them under control.