Discover The Facts About ADHD Nutrition

Have you read about this recently, that more and more research is pointing toward nutritional deficiencies as a contributing factor toward ADHD? In particular, ADHD nutrition appears to be linked to a deficiency in essential fatty acids, or EFAs, and amino acids.

Researchers first tied ADHD with lower essential fatty acid levels in 1981. Studies involving EFA blood levels in children with behavioral problems in 1983 confirmed this ADHD nutrition connection.

Researchers in a 1987 study again documented the EFA deficiency tie to ADHD. Then in 1995, a study involving ADHD boys and boys without ADHD showed that the ADHD boys had significantly lower levels of Omega-3 fatty acids.

ADHD nutrition studies by Purdue University researchers in 1996 found that boys with low blood levels of Omega-3 fatty acids have a greater frequency of ADHD.

A study done by the George Washington University School of Medicine found that hyperactive children who ate meals high in protein performed equally well, and sometimes better, in school than non-hyperactive kids.

At Oxford University in England, one ADHD nutrition study evaluated the effects of fatty acid supplementation in children of average intelligence but with significant reading and writing disabilities. The ADHD symptoms in children who received the essential fatty acids improved substantially over those in the control group who received a placebo.

Fatty acids are needed in making brain and nerve tissue in the body. They are necessary for mental function, proper growth, the immune system and brain development. Since the body cannot produce Omega-3 and Omega-6, the two fatty acids families, by itself, it has to get these necessary ADHD nutrition ingredients through diet and supplementation.

Our typical Western diet is high in the Omega-6 fatty acids, found in corn, canola, sunflower, and safflower oil, margarine, vegetable oil and shortening, but majority of Americans are lacking in Omega-3s, commonly found in fatty fish such as mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, salmon and albacore tuna, as well as nut oils.

Learning experts now attribute many childhood behavior and learning problems to Omega-3 deficiencies. Since males have a higher requirement for EFAs, this deficiency has a greater impact on them.

In terms of diet, ADHD nutrition isn't too different from what's recommended as healthy eating for everyone, and is often referred to as sensible eating. The first golden rule is NO JUNK FOOD!

Aside from that, avoid the following for two weeks; dairy, yellow foods (corn or squash), fruit juices, Nutrasweet, processed meats, MSG, food coloring, and reduce sugar, chocolate and fried foods by 90 percent.

Keep it simple: Just eat natural foods for a while. Eat like people did before the 1950's. There are plenty of foods you CAN eat; just avoid fast or convenience foods.

After the two week period, start adding some of the prohibited foods back into your diet, beginning with one food at a time. Eat A LOT of that one particular food every day for four days. If you experience a problem with that food, you'll have a reaction within four days. If there's a problem, you'll know. If there's no problem, enjoy the food.

What should you eat to feed the ADHD brain?

For breakfast, it's high protein, low carb. No more breakfast cereals with milk. Go for 60 percent protein and 40 percent carbohydrates. Other meals should be 50 percent protein and 50 percent carbs.

If additional protein is needed, supplements can be taken. You could also make a protein shake using a flavored coffee (the International flavored coffees can be used), a good quality protein power, about 15 to 20 grams, and ice. Process in a blender and drink.

This works for alot of people. Actually, this recipe works about as well as a small dose of Ritalin (100 mg of caffeine is about the same as 5 mg of Ritalin). So for those who only take small doses of Ritalin, this might do the trick.

So here's some food for thought: when choosing your ADHD nutrition regimen, be sure the dietary changes you make are realistic for your family and don?t create additional stress. Finding menus that are pleasing to all will go a long way toward keeping happiness and harmony in the household.

By: Zoey Eber