ADHD/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder & Diet

ADHD/Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder & Diet
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What causesADHD?
• ADHD‐ is AttentionDeficitHyperactivityDisorder. Itisthoughtto possible be frominherited traits or
environmentalfactors, butthe cause stillremains amystery. There is not a cure, butthe propertherapy
ofmedication, behaviortherapy and good nutrition can be used for control.
Signs and Symptoms:
• There are severalsymptomsthat define ADHD;many children have allthree, butmay only have one or
two ofthem. These symptomsshould be presentin atleast 2 environmentsie: home and school or home
and socialsituations, etc.
o Inattention: difficulty paying attention, disorganized work and school habits
o Hyperactivity ‐ Fidgeting,squirming, "always on the go", excessive talking
o Impulsive ‐ impatient, "blurting out", interrupting others
• All ofthese symptoms pointto impairing the person'ssocial or work behavior.
Facts:
• Not a Reflection‐ of poor parenting or child’sintelligence.
• More Common‐ with a close relative having this condition, usually occurs by 7 years of age.
What can I do?
• See yourHealth Care Provider‐ may do lab tests, MRI, EKG, and initialmedicationsto help the symptoms,
should recommend seeing a registered dietitian and a therapist/counselorto begin therapy forthe person
and family.
• See a RegisteredDietitian‐ for help as needed
• See a FoodFitnessFirst.com RegisteredDietitian ‐ on line for help
o Consistent Therapy‐ can improve the ability to function in school, at work and in socialsettings.
o Diet‐ no proven diet, butmany sourcesfeelthatthe following lifestyle changes can and have
made a difference formany people with ADHD.
ƒ Reduce Sweets‐ no soft drinks, candy,sweetened cereals and excessive fruitjuices or
fruit drinks.
ƒ Eat More Complex Carbohydrates‐ include fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grain breads
and cereals withmore than 2 grams offiber perserving.
ƒ Drink‐ lots of water, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables,flax seed
ƒ EatHigher Protein Foods‐ Cheese, Eggs, dried peas and beans,meats and nuts
ƒ EatOmega‐3 Foods‐ Salmon,sardines, herring tuna, flaxseed oil, flaxseed oil, enriched
milk and breadsthat haveOmega‐3 added (eat aminimumof 2 fishmeals per week)
ƒ Sleep‐ aminimumof 8 hours nightly
o Ifthis Fails‐ consider elimination diet and eliminate one food group (wheat, eggs,milk/dairy
foods,soybeans/tofu, corn products,sweeteners, Yellow #5 dye, etc); keep a food journal,
document any changesforthe positive or negative, and if no results, eliminate one otherfood
group. Try to do only one at a time to see what does and does not work.