Nutrition and ADHD is a much talked about subject. For years, doctors and therapists have considered the potential connection between diet and ADHD symptoms and some of their findings have been quite intriguing, especially for parents who are anxious to find alternative treatments. As the correlation between diet and ADHD becomes clearer, it offers more hope for avoiding the use of standard stimulant based medications.The lack of concentration, hyperactivity, distractibility and impulsiveness that characterize ADHD have all been linked to deficiencies or over abundances of certain substances in children's diets. The most obvious link between ADHD and nutrition is in the area of natural stimulants. Since hyperactivity and physical twitching are a common feature of ADHD, anything which over stimulates brain activity will necessarily have a detrimental effect.
Many parents have found that limiting the amount of natural stimulants in their child's diet can help them to be calmer and more focused. Sugar and caffeine are the two biggest culprits and just eliminating as much of these two substances as possible has had a visible effect. The artificial colorings and flavorings that are found in most processed foods can also have a stimulant effect, so limiting their intake is another important connection between nutrition and ADHD management.
Aside from natural stimulants, there are other food products which can cause allergic reactions in children which can also trigger hyperactivity. One of the more interesting connections between ADHD and nutrition is the effect of wheat and other refined carbohydrates, which can sometimes have a stimulant effect. Replacing wheat with oats, brown rice and rye bread can be an easy solution for controlling your child's disruptive behavior.
The other important connection between nutrition and ADHD is the link between severity of symptoms and lack of fatty acids. Fatty acids are necessary for proper brain development as they help to produce brain and nerve tissue. Since the body can not produce the two main types of fatty acid, Omega-3 and Omega-6, on its own it is crucial that they are received through the diet.
A lack of fatty acids can result in impaired brain development, leading to a host of neurological disorders including ADHD. While there is still some debate on the subject, the link between ADHD and nutrition particularly in the area of fatty acids is one which merits attention.
Because changes in diet are so simple to achieve and do not carry the threat of dangerous side effects, this is an avenue that every parent should be open to trying. Along with eating right, the use of homeopathic remedies can also allow you to manage your child's symptoms without using standard prescription medications. The ability of easing symptoms without exposing children to harmful side effects is one of the most exciting parts of the discussion about nutrition and ADHD.
A diagnosis of ADHD can seem like the end of the world, but it really doesn't have to be. With developments in research, it is now easier than ever to manage ADHD symptoms with simple dietary adjustments. Having ADHD does not mean that you have to subject your child to the harsh effects of stimulant based medications. Exercise all your options, including dietary management, and you can find the approach which works best for you and your child.
