"Health is a large word. It embraces not the body only, but the mind and spirit as well;...
and not today's pain or pleasure alone, but the whole being and outlook of a man."
~James H. West

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)

ADHD treatment without Drugs | ADHD and Nutrition | The Role of Environment and Education Methods

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.  ADHD is a medical condition that is characterized by problems with attention, impulsivity, and overactivity.  With treatment, most people with ADHD can be successful in school and lead productive lives.  Research has found the best treatment results arise from a multidisciplinary approach, with a focus on nutritional and psychological interventions.  Effective ADHD treatment without drugs is possible.  Nutrition is an essential part of the treatment protocol for ADHD, there is a lot of evidence to support this, regardless of whether you decide to combing medication or drug interventions as well.

Doctors are still not sure what causes ADHD, though research has highlighted possibilities including nutrition, environmental factors and social environment.

ADHD and Nutrition: Top diet tips for kids with ADHD

  • Test for allergies, particularly gluten sensitivity: In the general population, only 1% of people are sensitive to gluten. But research has found the percentage is much higher in children with ADHD. Your family doctor can check for gluten sensitivity with a blood test. If your child is gluten-sensitive, removing gluten from their diet can produce dramatic and almost immediate results. Gluten is found in wheat, rye, and barley.  Allergies, intolerances and food sensitivities can cause symptoms like dizziness, giddiness, fuzzy brain, poor concentration, fatigue, tinnitus that can make a child appear agitated or restless and can certainly affect their ability to engage or focus at school.
  • Avoid high-mercury fish:  Oily fish at the top of the food chain contain high mercury levels.  Researchers have found mercury can impair a child’s ability to think and concentrate.   High mercury fish includes shark, swordfish, king mackerel, salmon, tuna, dolphin and tilefish.  Essential fatty acids are important though particularly for a healthy brain and mood.  Other rich omega sources include sardines, flax seed oil, and krill oil.
  • Eat a high-protein diet: Including beans, cheese, eggs, meat, and nuts. Add protein foods in the morning and for after-school snacks, to improve concentration and possibly increase the time ADHD medications work. The body gets important amino acids it needs to make essential brain chemicals from protein.  Eating a little protein with every meal can also help to maintain stable blood sugar levels.
  • Eat fewer simple carbohydrates: Such as sweets, corn syrup, honey, sugar, products made from white flour, white rice, and potatoes without the skins.  The brain needs energy to think and concentrate, its main source is glucose, but all glucose is not created equal.  Ensure your child eats regularly and good quality carbohydrates (fruit, whole grains, vegetables, rice) to help keep blood sugar levels stable which will aid in concentration and help prevent moodiness.
  • Eat more complex carbohydrates:  Such as vegetables and some fruits (including oranges, tangerines, pears, grapefruit, apples, and kiwi). Eating complex carbohydrates at night may aid sleep.  Carbohydrates can help the body relax, eating slow release carbohydrates will mean the blood sugar levels don’t suddenly drop in the middle of the night and cause the child to wake up or have bad dreams.  Good examples are rice and vegetables or pasta and side salad or mashed sweet potato and butternut and chicken, fish or meat.
  • Eat more Omega-3 fatty acids: Such as those found in tuna, salmon, other cold-water white fish, walnuts, brazil nuts, and olive and canola oil. Omega-3 fatty acids are also available in supplement form.
  • Avoid preservatives, artificial flavorings and colorings:

Research has found that children with ADD/ADHD often become even more hyperactive or inattentive when they have these in their diet.  These chemicals have a drug like effect on some children, and it is best to avoid them all together if possible.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or Attention Deficit Disorder can very often be put down to a nutritional problem with children, either through deficiencies, allergies or chemical reactions to ingredients in their diet that they are sensitive to.  These triggers affect mood, temperament, behaviour and health of your child.  Nutrition really is the best place to start, and even if you end up using other treatments as well, be sure that you don’t neglect your child’s nutrition status.  It is so important and certainly worth it.

The Role of Environment and Education Methods

Watch this interesting clip... where do you think the real flaw and failure is?  Could the current system be letting your children down?