Alleviate Attention and Behavioral Problems with Food and SupplementsWas Your Child Diagnosed as ADD or ADHD? Choose Diet as Your First Form of Treatment
sxc.hu | author: Sanja Gjenero
An ADHD child who has attention and behavioral problems in school often has additional health problems as well, most of which are often undiagnosed. Prior to beginning any type of drug therapy program, the first thing a parent should do when their child begins to exhibit behavioral problems in school is take a serious look at their son or daughter’s diet. Recent studies have shown that food allergies or sensitivities can cause hyperactivity in children. In many cases it can also be the cause of neurological dysfunction. ADHD Children exhibiting attention difficulties, hyperactivity, irritability, and other behavioral problems can often times see a relief of symptoms by simply eliminating problem foods and beginning a proper diet and supplement program.
Correcting nutrient imbalances in the brain of children with attention and behavioral problems, ie: levels of specific vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids, is vital for a successful outcome.
ADHD children exhibiting behavioral, learning, and neurological problems should take vitamin and mineral supplements as treatment. Certain vitamins are water soluble and therefore safe to give. But not all vitamins are water soluble, and there are certainly many side effects to overdosing on supplements that the body stores. Vitamins and minerals are needed for normal production of neurotransmitters, and children that are chronically lacking specific nutrients will begin to develop chronic symptoms of hyperactivity. Any deficiency will have wide ranging effects.
In general, B vitamins improve mental activity and agility, as do fish oil. Magnesium helps to calm and is also important for absorption, but is generally lacking in our modern diets and unfortunately, most supplements you can buy in the stores. Magnesium works with Calcium and Zinc, and the three minerals must be balanced for optimal function. For example, when the diet is high in calcium the body is further depleted of magnesium as the two have an antagonistic relationship. Too much calcium, called hypercalcemia, can affect every major organ in the body: the kidneys, heart, GI tract, nervous system, and cognitive abilities. Too little magnesium can cause a whole host of problems including: migraines, muscular twitches, insomnia, anxiety, hyperactivity, and restlessness with constant movement, etc….
Anyone desiring to begin a vitamin supplement program should do so with the help of a qualified physician who can test for deficiencies to lessen the risk of overdose. Many doctors diagnosing ADHD use drugs as their only treatment option. Parents need to understand that there are physicians who will also look for underlying causes and test for vitamin and nutrient deficiencies too. This is the kind of treatment parents should seek after receiving an ADHD diagnosis. Parents can also try an elimination diet without allergy testing to see if there are also certain foods triggering their son or daughter’s symptoms.
Attention and Behavioral Problems are often caused by Hidden Food Allergies to:
- milk
- wheat (gluten)
- eggs
- corn
In addition, kids with attention and behavioral problems need to eliminate all food colorings, artificial flavors and preservatives. According to a study published by Dr. Jim Stevenson in the September 2007 issue of the Lancet entitled: “Food additives and hyperactive behavior in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the community,” artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives make ALL kids hyper. Total elimination of these things, and any other suspect foods should be done for at least three weeks before an improvement can be noted. It takes the body quite some time to eliminate toxins that have been present in abundance. Once the child’s behavior/ ability to attend has begun to improve, reintroduction of foods can begin. When a relapse occurs, note the food eaten and the time it took for the reaction to occur. Some food sensitivities may not appear until hours after eating.
What’s the Bottom Line on Treating Attention and Behavioral Problems?
In short, almost always, the solution we seek is not going to be found in a magic pill. In many cases the drugs prescribed for ADHD and ADD come with many possible side effects. In some cases, although they may help a child in the short term, there are long term side effects from ADHD medication. There is also evidence to support the idea that too many kids are being improperly medicated for ADHD. For these reasons you should investigate alternative treatments for your child’s attention and behavioral problems. There is a good chance your child may see success by just changing what he or she eats.
While this is already a well documented topic, it is good to see such comprehensive coverage, particularly the emphasis on the crucial balance of vitamins.