| For years adults with ADHD and parents of | | | | condition often have problems with anxiety, |
| ADHD children have known that diet plays an | | | | depression, and irritability. |
| important role in behavior. Many experts on the | | | | High sugar and simple carbohydrate foods (white |
| other hand tended to throw cold water on the | | | | rice, white bread, pasta, potatoes, processed |
| idea, claiming that diet had little if any effect on | | | | cereals) temporarily give a boost to serotonin |
| children with ADHD. Today we know that | | | | levels thus temporarily relieving symptoms. Those |
| attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is caused | | | | with ADHD may be drawn to these types of |
| by a neurotransmitter imbalance in one or more | | | | foods under the false assumption that they are |
| areas of the brain, and while diet does not cause | | | | curing the condition. |
| ADHD most agree that consuming the wrong | | | | Introducing Omega 3 and Omega 6 Fatty Acids |
| types, or combinations of, foods can make this | | | | Into The Diet |
| condition a whole lot worse. | | | | The omegas are known as essential fatty acids |
| Most ADHD adults and parents of ADHD children | | | | and they help our brains function properly. |
| recognize this and have learned through trial and | | | | Research has revealed that a proper level of |
| error what foods tend to make them feel better | | | | fatty acids can help with the symptoms of a |
| and which ones make them feel worse. Studies | | | | myriad of neurological and mental condition, |
| show that adults with attention deficit | | | | including ADHD. Important omega 3 and 6 rich |
| hyperactivity disorder are much more likely than | | | | foods for ADHD adults and children alike are |
| others to use food as a tool to improve both | | | | salmon, tuna, flax, pumpkin, walnuts, avocados, |
| physical and emotional wellbeing. While useful, it is | | | | kale, spinach, collard greens, fruits, and whole |
| not a fix for the core problem of | | | | grains. |
| neurotransmitter imbalance. | | | | What next? For those struggling with ADHD |
| One interesting recent study using advanced brain | | | | finding an effective treatment option to combine |
| scan technology found that ADHD brains were | | | | with smart diet choices is an important first step. |
| slower to absorb glucose and had a cerebral | | | | The most common form of treatment currently |
| glucose metabolism that was eight times slower | | | | are prescription stimulants such as Ritalin, Adderall |
| than that of the average child or adult. What this | | | | and Vyvanse. While effective, all stimulant |
| means in more simple terms is that those with | | | | medications come with a number of serious label |
| ADHD tend to be drawn to high sugar, high | | | | warnings. The risk of side effects, or perhaps lack |
| caffeine foods and beverages only to receive a | | | | of success with stimulants, has prompted many |
| short term boost, followed by a dramatic | | | | to investigate other options. A couple examples of |
| reduction in brain activity about 45 minutes later. | | | | this are behavior modification therapy and/or |
| Connecting Serotonin, Food, and ADHD | | | | natural remedies. Natural remedies for ADHD are |
| While norepinephrine and dopamine are the two | | | | a side effect free way to address such |
| primary brain chemicals associated with attention | | | | problematic symptoms as inattention, distractibility, |
| deficit hyperactivity disorder recent studies seem | | | | impulsivity, erratic behavior and hyperactivity and |
| to reveal that those with ADHD have low levels | | | | can be used both as a standalone treatment or |
| of the feel good chemical serotonin. This may | | | | as a compliment to other nonprescription |
| partially explain why individuals struggling with this | | | | alternatives. |