ADHD: Can Nutrition Help?
I don’t know about you, but as the parent of a child with ADHD, I’ve been to many experts and seminars that teach emotional regulation, organization strategies, and how to cope with your child with ADHD. While most of these have helped bring an understanding of, and provided some tools to help manage this emotional rollercoaster of a disorder, never once has there been a discussion about how nutrition effects this disorder. Even though, at almost every seminar I’ve been to, questions have been asked about nutrition. Answers have ranged anywhere from “I don’t know of any food or supplement that can help, maybe vitamin D?”, to “It is ridiculous to think that red food dye causes or contributes to ADHD.”
I’d like to set the record straight! Whatever we put into our body will have an effect on how we feel, how we behave, and what we think. Intuitively we know this as parents, even though at almost every corner, we, and our children are being conditioned otherwise. Give yourself permission to explore this form of treatment as an alternative or to supplement the treatment you are currently implementing. Give yourself the opportunity to confirm your own intuition and bring about change in your household.
Myth: There is no link to diet and symptoms of ADHD.
Truth: Symptoms of blood sugar imbalance and certain nutrient deficiencies that mimic ADHD symptoms include, irritability, anxiety, extreme emotions, poor memory, cognitive impairment, irritability, depression, sensory issues, hyperactivity, and inattention. In a study completed by Harvard Medical School, they were unable to prove a definitive conclusion that links diet to ADHD specifically, however they were also unable to confirm there wasn’t a link.
Myth: Consuming artificial food dyes, preservatives, and too much sugar causes ADHD.
Truth: The exact cause of ADHD is not known. There are many factors that can contribute to this condition. According to The Mayo Clinic, these factors include genetics, environmental (such as heavy metal toxicity), and problems with development in the central nervous system at key points. However, some chemical preservatives such as Sodium Benzoate have been shown to increase hyperactivity and inattention in some studies especially when combined with other chemical additives such as tartrazine (F & DC yellow #5), and citric acid or ascorbic acid (vitamin C). MSG (aka Monosodium Glutamate and several other incognito names) is a know neurotoxin. Neurotoxins are substances that alter the function of the nervous system contributing to mood and behavioural changes.
Myth: Medication is the best way to treat ADHD and is totally safe.
Truth: This depends on the desired outcome of treatment. If your desired outcome is to suppress symptoms for the time the medication is active in your child’s system and side effects such as suppressed appetite, possibility of delayed or stunted growth, trouble sleeping and possible heart issues don’t bother you, then medication may be the best way to treat ADHD. If these things do bother you, then it is worth exploring all possible treatment options or combination of options. I had been told by a doctor once that there are no proven long term side effects from taking ADHD medication. Now, since I have not been able to find information on how long the "long term" research was in that experiment, as a parent I can't be sure that there will be NO long term side effects. For this reason, and the fact that I'd prefer my child didn't have to take medication to manage brain function everyday for the rest of his life, I am continually trying to find alternate solutions and ways to manage the side effects in the mean time.
My child does take ADHD medication daily but that doesn't mean its the best treatment for him. Is it working for him right now? Yes. Am I worried about the long term effects of him taking stimulant medication? Absolutely!
How does nutrition fit in? According to Patrick Holford in his book, "Optimum Nutrition For The Mind", In many cases of ADHD, deficiencies of Magnesium, EFA’s, B Vitamins, Zinc, Amino Acids, and Iron are present. All of these nutrients are critical for brain development, brain function, and the development and maintenance of neurotransmitters (chemical messengers in our brain). Imbalanced blood sugar can wreak havoc on our brains and put stress on our digestive system which is responsible for absorbing the nutrients we ingest. Medications ask our liver to work harder in order to process and detox foreign chemicals from our bodies. Not only do nutrient deficiencies and ADHD go hand in hand, but stimulants such as ADHD medication, can deplete certain nutrients like magnesium, vitamin B6, Vitamin C, and potassium. These nutrients are important for converting tryptophan into serotonin (the feel good hormone), neurotransmitter function, immune function, and potassium helps conduct electricity in the body, important for heart function. Working with a Nutrition Consultant can help you understand how to support yourself or your child with nutrients using natural, whole foods. The best source of nutrients are from natural sources. In some cases, nutrient supplements may be necessary to deal with severe deficiencies.
Whether or not there is a research paper that indicates definitive proof that there is a link to ADHD and nutrition, we do know that there is a link between diet and mental health and digestive health. It will remain to be seen if there will be scientific evidence to support diet eliminating or reducing the need for ADHD medication. In the mean time, I definitely think its worth experimenting! Especially when the only side effects from setting a good example and incorporating an all natural whole foods diet by eliminating dyes and preservatives, will promote improved mental health for everyone in the household which will allow everyone in the family to better manage this disorder. It also promotes a stronger body for you and your child to be better prepared for whatever the future holds.
Heather Parkinson, C.H.N.C.