ADHD traits and nutrition the facts

Food for the Brain

M
any gifted children show What causes ADHD/Hyperactivity?
Food for the Brain traits of ADHD, and Doctors arent sure exactly what goes
whether or not your child wrong in ADHD. But they think that the
charity has kindly has been diagnosed you behaviour problems are linked to the way
may be able to relate to that the front part of the brain works.
allowed NAGC to some of the following characteristics: Studies suggest that this part of the
brain works more slowly in children with
reproduce some of their ADHD than in other children. Children
Hyperactivity Check with ADHD may have an imbalance in
interesting literature on Is your child the neurotransmitters in the front part
of the brain. Some doctors believe they
nutrition and ADHD overactive dont have enough of a neurotransmitter
prone to leave projects unfinished called dopamine, and may also lack the
traits in children fidgety neurotransmitter noradrenaline. Without
wearing out toys, furniture, etc enough dopamine or noradrenaline, the
unable to sit still at meals front part of the brain cant deal with and
uninterested in staying with games react to information in the way that it
too talkative should.
failing to follow directions Unfortunately, there are no tests that
clumsy show whether the front part of a childs
fighting with other children brain is working normally, so doctors have
unpredictable to rely on what children, parents and
teasing teachers say in order to diagnose ADHD.
unable to respond to discipline This means it can often be misdiagnosed
getting into things in place of giftedness, or the giftedness
displaying speech problems could be overlooked because of the ADHD
having temper tantrums condition in the child.
unable to listen to a story Conventional treatment options typically
to the end involve behaviour therapy and/or
defiant medication. The best results that Food
hard to get to bed For The Brain have seen in helping those
irritable with ADHD/hyperactivity are achieved
reckless by investigating a number of possible
unpopular with peers avenues. These include:
impatient Blood sugar problems
lying Essential fat deficiencies
accident-prone Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
wetting the bed Pyroluria and the need for vitamin B6
destructive and zinc
Food allergies

Quite apart from these nutritional factors

having good psychological support and
a stable home environment are also
essential for affected children.

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A study of 265 hyperactive children found that
more than three-quarters of them displayed
abnormal glucose tolerance, that is, their bodies
were less able to handle sugar intake and maintain
balanced blood sugar levels
Nutrition & ADHD/
hyperactivity what works
BALANCE BLOOD SUGAR
Dietary studies consistently reveal that
hyperactive children eat more sugar than
other children, and reducing sugar has
been found to halve disciplinary actions
in young offenders. Other research has
confirmed that the problem is not sugar
itself but the forms it comes in, the
absence of a well-balanced diet overall,
and abnormal glucose metabolism. A
study of 265 hyperactive children found
that more than three-quarters of them
displayed abnormal glucose tolerance,
that is, their bodies were less able
to handle sugar intake and maintain
balanced blood sugar levels.
When a child is regularly snacking on
refined carbohydrates, sweets, chocolate,
fizzy drinks, juices and little or no fibre to
slow the glucose absorption, the levels
of glucose in their blood will seesaw
continually and trigger wild fluctuations in
their levels of activity, concentration, focus
and behaviour. These of course are also
the symptoms of ADHD.
INCREASE YOUR OMEGA 3 FATS
Omega-3s have a clearly calming effect on
many children with hyperactivity and ADHD
who may also have visible symptoms of
essential fat deficiency such as excessive
thirst, dry skin, eczema and asthma. It is
also interesting that boys, whose
requirement for essential fats is much
higher than girls, are also much more
likely to have ADHD.
Researchers have theorised that ADHD
children may be deficient in essential
fats not just because their dietary intake
from foods such as seeds and nuts is
inadequate (though this is not uncommon),
but also because their need is higher, their
absorption is poor, or they are unable to
convert these fats well into EPA and DHA,
and from DHA into prostaglandins, which
are important for brain function. So its of
interest that the conversion of essential
fats can be inhibited by most of the foods
that cause symptoms in children with
ADHD such as wheat, dairy and foods
containing salicylates.
Research at Oxford University
using the omega 3 and omega 6 fish
oil supplement Eye Q has proven the
value of these essential fats in a double-
blind trial involving 41 children aged 8
to 12 years who had ADHD symptoms
and specific learning difficulties. Those
children receiving extra essential fats in
supplements were both behaving and
learning better within 12 weeks.
features
INCREASE
VITAMINS
AND MINERALS
Although it is unlikely, on
the basis of the studies to date,
that ADHD is purely a deficiency disease,
most children with this diagnosis are
deficient in certain key nutrients, and do
respond very well. Zinc and magnesium
are the most commonly deficient nutrients
in people with ADHD. In fact, symptoms
of deficiency in these minerals are
very similar to the symptoms of ADHD.
Low levels of magnesium, for instance,
can cause excessive fidgeting, anxious
restlessness, insomnia, coordination
problems and learning difficulties (if
accompanied by a normal IQ).
Polish researchers studying 116
children with ADHD for their levels of
magnesium found that 95 per cent of
them were deficient in it. Supplementing
200mg of magnesium for six months
significantly reduced hyperactivity in
the children with ADHD, but behaviour
in the control group, who received no
magnesium, worsened.
AVOID ALLERGY FOODS
Of all the avenues so far explored, the link
between hyperactivity and food sensitivity
is the most established and worthy of
pursuit in any child showing signs of
ADHD. Food allergies can be of two types:
Type 1 - The classical, severe and
immediate allergy most commonly
associated with peanuts and shellfish. This
allergy involves an antibody called IgE and
most people discover if they have this type
of allergy early in life since the reaction is
so immediate and severe.
Type 2 - Involves the IgG antibody which
works in quite a different way. Symptoms
of these allergies can be many and varied
and may take many hours to appear.
These allergies often go undetected for
this reason
NAGC MAGAZINE 19
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A study by Dr Joseph Bellanti of Action Plan

Georgetown University in Washington
DC found that hyperactive children are
seven times more likely to have food
allergies than other children. According to
his research, 56 per cent of hyperactive
children aged 7 to 10 tested positive for
food allergies, compared to less than 8
per cent of normal children. Children
with ADHD/hyperactivity may also have a
sensitivity to additives and preservatives.
A separate investigation by the Hyperactive
Childrens Support Group found that 89
per cent of children with ADHD reacted to
food colourings, 72 per cent to flavourings,
60 per cent to MSG, 45 per cent to all
synthetic additives, 50 per cent to cows
milk, 60 per cent to chocolate and 40 per
cent to oranges.
Other substances often found to
induce behavioural changes are wheat,
corn, yeast, soya, peanuts and eggs.
Symptoms strongly linked to allergy
include nasal problems and excessive
mucus, ear infections, facial swelling and
discolouration around the eyes, tonsillitis,
digestive problems, bad breath, eczema,
asthma, headaches and bedwetting.
A considerable number of hyperactive
children may benefit from eliminating
foods that contain artificial colours,
flavours and preservatives; processed
and manufactured foods; and culprit
foods identified by either an exclusion diet
or blood test. Some parents have also
reported success with the Feingold diet,
removing not only all artificial additives
but also foods that naturally contain
compounds called salicylates- a salt found
in certain foods.
A sudden and complete removal of a
food from the diet may lead to an initial
worsening of symptoms and cravings
for that food. This does not happen with
gradual elimination. Any major changes
in diet should be supervised by a suitably
qualified nutritional therapist or doctor.
Practical Changes To Diet
Balance blood sugar levels
This means cutting out sugar and all
sources of sugar. Eat only unrefined
carbohydrates and ensure these are
combined with protein and plenty of
fibre to further slow the sugar release.
Avoid stimulants, even apparently
natural ones. If sugar consumption
is high and it is withdrawn suddenly,
withdrawal symptoms such as headaches
and irritability may ensue. It is better to
make gradual reductions to avoid this,
without losing sight of the eventual goal
of a no sugar diet.
a week, seeds on most days and
LUNCH BOX IDEAS
Cherry tomatoes
Tins of salmon and sardines
Smoked salmon or mackerel
Brown basmati rice
Vegetables cut into strips such as carrots
and cucumber
Wholemeal pitta pocket or corn
tortilla wraps
Up your intake of essential omega 3 fats
This means eating fish at least twice
supplementing omega 3 fish oils.
The best fish for EPA, the type of omega
3 fat thats been most thoroughly
researched are: mackerel (1,400mg per
100g/3oz), herring/kipper (1,000mg),
sardines (1,000mg), fresh (not tinned)
tuna (900mg), anchovy (900mg),
salmon(800mg), trout (500mg). Tuna,
being high in mercury is best eaten not
more than twice a month. The best seeds
are flax seeds and pumpkin seeds.
Flax seeds are so small they are
best ground and sprinkled on cereal.
Alternatively, use flax seed oil, for example
in salad dressings.
Up vitamins and minerals
A diet rich in whole foods such as fresh
fruit and vegetables, seeds, nuts and
whole grains is naturally higher in vitamins
and minerals. Avoid processed foods that
have had many nutrients removed.
Avoid allergy foods
Get your child tested for IgG food allergies
and avoid these foods. Alternatively, avoid
or remove the likely culprit foods such as
wheat and dairy from the diet. In any case,
avoid additives and preservatives.

About the author
Food for the Brain
Food for the Brain is a non-profit
educational charity, created by
a group of nutritionists, doctors,
psychiatrists, psychologists,
teachers and scientists to
promote the link between nutrition and
mental health. The charity promotes
awareness of the link between learning,
behaviour, mental health and nutrition,
and aims to create a future where the
awareness of the importance of optimum
nutrition for mental health is understood by
all, and implemented by many.
Further Help
Optimum Nutrition for your Childs Mind
If you would like help overcoming ADHD/
P Holford and D Colson
hyperactivity with a nutritional approach,
there are a number of clinics and nutritional
The Bipolar Child
therapists who can help you, for example:
Dr D Papolos and J Papolos
www.brainbiocentre.com
Smart Food Smart Kids Shopping Guide
Centre which offers assessment and advice
downloadable leaflet on
on biochemical imbalances
www.foodforthebrain.com
www.foodforthebrain.com
Charity raising awareness between nutrition
and health, with lots of useful information Further support for teachers
and advice online
www.behaviouruk.com
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Behaviour UK is the site for teachers dealing
Natural Way to Treat ADHD - B K Puri with pupil behaviour

20 NAGC MAGAZINE