| It is startling to know that 3 to 7 percent of | | | | other attributes. Academic results were much |
| children in the US suffer from ADHD or Attention | | | | better with better scores in reading, spelling, |
| Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. This means it | | | | mathematics and other skills. No such |
| affects over 2 million children in America, that is, | | | | improvements were seen in children given the |
| one in every class of 25 would have ADHD. This | | | | placebo. Thus Omega 3 rich supplements such as |
| condition is usually diagnosed in the pre-school and | | | | fish oil could be a solution to help children with |
| early school years. Children with these symptoms | | | | ADHD. Some researchers feel babies who are |
| are unusually fidgety and restless. They could | | | | breast-fed have a lower chance of developing |
| even have problems paying attention in school, | | | | ADHD later because it is rich in Omega 3. |
| waiting in lines or taking turns. Some children could | | | | Children with ADHD usually suffer from food |
| be very aggressive. ADHD is usually diagnosed | | | | allergies. They could be losing vital vitamins, iron |
| more in boys that girls, but that could be because | | | | and even zinc because of their allergy to dairy |
| girls tend to be quieter and less aggressive than | | | | products, wheat, corn, yeast, soy, citrus, eggs, |
| boys. In girls it could manifest itself as | | | | chocolate, peanuts and artificial colors and |
| talkativeness rather than aggression. | | | | preservatives. It has been seen that ADHD |
| The U.S. Surgeon General has defined ADHD as a | | | | children lose zinc when exposed to a food dye. In |
| metabolic form of encephalopathy. The disease | | | | a study that eliminated these allergens in the diet |
| weakens the release and homeostasis of | | | | of some children, the majority of the children |
| neurological chemicals, reducing the function of the | | | | showed lower levels of hyperactivity. Once these |
| limbic system. Other relevant research however | | | | were added back to diet, the problems associated |
| points out that some part of the brain could be | | | | with ADHD once again returned. |
| involved. These are the frontal lobes, their | | | | Research has also shown that iron levels are low |
| connections to the basal ganglia, the central | | | | in children suffering from ADHD. The children's |
| aspects of the cerebellum and the middle or | | | | serum ferritin levels were measured to determine |
| medial aspect of the frontal lobe. | | | | their iron status. It was seen that one-third of the |
| Four types of ADHD types have been recognized. | | | | ADHD children had a very low range of iron levels. |
| These are the Predominantly Inattentive, | | | | It was noticed that the lower the iron levels, the |
| Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive, and | | | | higher were the severity of the ADHD |
| Combined Type of ADHD (hyperactive-impulsive | | | | symptoms. The researchers concluded that low |
| and inattentive) and ADHD Not Otherwise | | | | iron stores might explain some ADHD cases. Iron |
| Specified. As a person gets older, the symptoms | | | | supplements could be given but proper testing is |
| of ADHD could reduce, but many children | | | | required before doing so, because excess iron |
| diagnosed with ADHD retain this disorder into | | | | stored in the body can cause several other |
| adulthood too. It is then known as Adult | | | | problems. |
| Attention-Deficit Disorder or AADD. In adults, it | | | | Supplements of zinc and zinc sulpahate have |
| manifests itself in the need to be physically busy | | | | proved successful in the treatment of ADHD in |
| all time, excessive talking, interrupting others, risk | | | | small trials - more results are awaited. In the |
| taking, speaking out without regard to the | | | | mean time, a good idea would be to remove |
| consequences and even daydreaming. | | | | additives from the diet along with all foods that |
| The research into the causes of ADHD has | | | | the child could be allergic to. This could improve |
| thrown up a number of issues. Primarily it seems | | | | the absorption of natural zinc present in foods. |
| that both genetic and environmental factors play | | | | Vitamin C could also be supplemented in the |
| a role in ADHD. Significantly, research has shown | | | | treatment of ADHD, because sometimes it is not |
| that many critical food deficiencies could cause | | | | easily absorbed from natural foods. However, |
| the problem. These could be as varied as | | | | once again it might be good idea to remove |
| deficiency of essential Omega 3 fatty acids, | | | | additives and allergy-causing foods from the diet. |
| antioxidant vitamins like Vitamin C, iron and even | | | | This would result in better Vitamin C absorption. |
| zinc. This suggests a role for suppmentation in the | | | | Most ADHD children are on some prescribed drug |
| treatment of ADHD | | | | or the other. Should drug interactions with dietary |
| Omega 3 deficiency may lead to behavioral | | | | supplements be a concern? New research |
| problems that are linked with ADHD. Some ADHD | | | | indicates that more often than not, mixing |
| children show other symptoms connected with | | | | doesn’t produce side effects that are serious |
| Omega 3 deficiency, such as dry skin and hair, | | | | enough to warrant concern. |
| thirst and even frequent urination. Trials in | | | | Most research indicates that a balanced diet rich in |
| supplementing Omega 3 in children with ADHD | | | | omega 3, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, free |
| revealed some surprising results. Over a period of | | | | from toxins, would be beneficial in the treatment |
| time, fish oil supplements were given to a group | | | | of ADHD in children. What goes in seems to be so |
| of children and a placebo to another set. The | | | | important to the proper functioning of the body |
| children with fish oil supplements showed | | | | and mind. |
| remarkable improvements in attentiveness and | | | | |