| ADHD is a large problem in the US and the | | | | consequences and even daydreaming.Causes of |
| disorder can manifest itself in a number of ways, | | | | ADHDThe research into the causes of ADHD has |
| not all of them are obvious. Although there are a | | | | thrown up a number of issues. Primarily it seems |
| number of pharmaceutical options for sufferers, | | | | that both genetic and environmental factors play |
| there are also many simple nutritional steps that | | | | a role in ADHD. Significantly, research has shown |
| can be taken to help remedy the situation.It is | | | | that many critical food deficiencies could cause |
| startling to know that 3 to 7 percent of children in | | | | the problem. These could be as varied as |
| the US suffer from ADHD or Attention Deficit | | | | deficiency of essential omega 3 fatty acids, |
| Hyperactivity Disorder. This means it affects over | | | | antioxidant vitamins like vitamin C, iron and even |
| 2 million children in America, that is, one in every | | | | zinc.Omega 3 Fatty AcidsOmega 3 deficiency |
| class of 25 would have ADHD. This condition is | | | | may lead to behavioral problems that are linked |
| usually diagnosed in the pre-school and early | | | | with ADHD. Some children with ADHD show other |
| school years. Children with these symptoms are | | | | symptoms connected with Omega 3 deficiency, |
| unusually fidgety and restless. They may have | | | | such as dry skin and hair, thirst and even |
| problems paying attention in school, waiting in lines | | | | frequent urination. A trial in supplementing Omega |
| or taking turns. Some children may express this in | | | | 3 in children with ADHD revealed some surprising |
| their aggression. ADHD is usually diagnosed more | | | | results. Over a period of time, fish oil supplements |
| in boys that girls, but that could be because girls | | | | were given to a group of children and a placebo |
| tend to be quieter and less aggressive than boys. | | | | to another set. The children with fish oil |
| In girls it could manifest itself as talkativeness | | | | supplements showed remarkable improvements in |
| rather than aggression.ADHD DefinitionThe U.S. | | | | attentiveness and other attributes. Academic |
| Surgeon General has defined ADHD as a | | | | results were much better with better scores in |
| metabolic form of encephalopathy. The disease | | | | reading, spelling, mathematics and other skills. No |
| weakens the release and homeostasis of | | | | such improvements were seen in children given |
| neurological chemicals, reducing the function of the | | | | the placebo. Thus Omega 3 rich supplements such |
| limbic system. Other relevant research however | | | | as fish oil could be a solution to help children with |
| points out that some part of the brain could be | | | | ADHD. Some researchers feel babies who are |
| involved. These are the frontal lobes, their | | | | breast-fed have a lower chance of developing |
| connections to the basal ganglia, the central | | | | ADHD later because it is rich in Omega 3.Food and |
| aspects of the cerebellum and the middle or | | | | Environmental AllergiesChildren with ADHD may |
| medial aspect of the frontal lobe.ADHD into | | | | also be more likely to suffer from food allergies. |
| AdulthoodFour types of ADHD types have been | | | | They could be losing vital vitamins, iron and even |
| recognized. These are the Predominantly | | | | zinc because of their allergy to dairy products, |
| Inattentive, Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive, | | | | wheat, corn, yeast, soy, citrus, eggs, chocolate, |
| and Combined Type of ADHD | | | | peanuts and artificial colors and preservatives. It |
| (hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive) and ADHD | | | | has been seen that children with ADHD lose zinc |
| Not Otherwise Specified. As a person gets older, | | | | when exposed to a food dye. In a study that |
| the symptoms of ADHD could reduce, but many | | | | eliminated these allergens in the diet of some |
| children diagnosed with ADHD retain this disorder | | | | children, the majority of the children showed |
| into adulthood too. It is then known as Adult | | | | lower levels of hyperactivity. Once these were |
| Attention-Deficit Disorder or AADD. In adults, it | | | | added back to diet, the problems associated with |
| manifests itself in the need to be physically busy | | | | ADHD once again returned.Dietary |
| all time, excessive talking, interrupting others, risk | | | | DeficienciesResearch has also shown that iron |
| taking, speaking out without regard to the | | | | levels are low in children suffering from ADHD. |