Healthy Diet May Help ADHD Children, Study Suggests

A steady diet of healthy foods may benefit children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to a new study.

An article published in the journal Pediatrics Monday compared the effectiveness of several dietary methods intended to replace medicinal treatments that have proven "unsatisfactory or unacceptable" for treating children with ADHD.

After analyzing 70 studies, researchers J. Gordon Millichap and Michelle M. Yee suggested a balanced diet heavy in fiber, folate and omega-3 fatty acids is most effective in decreasing effects of hyperactivity. Such a diet may include foods like fish, vegetables and whole grains, according to CBS News.

This particular study compared the effects of an "ADHD-associated 'Western-style'" diet, which tends to include a high amount of fat and refined sugar, to an "ADHD-free" assortment of healthier foods heavy in nutrients.

The review also examined several other diets, including the elimination diet, which avoids common food allergens like milk, nuts and eggs, and the Feingold diet, which avoids artificial coloring, artificial flavorings and some preservatives, USA Today reported. Researchers point out that these types of diets are often difficult to follow.

While scientists readily recognize the importance of a healthy diet, many still suggest changes in eating habits aren't always enough to improve behavior in children with ADHD, NPR reports. Instead, they suggest the nutritional changes should complement medicinal treatment.

Still, some parents might be reluctant to treat ADHD with medicine, and at least one doctor says he agrees with first taking a more natural approach.

"Before considering medication, it is always reasonable to try changes at home and in school, and often therapy," Dr. Robert Needlman told HuffPost blogger Earl Martin Phalen. "Home changes include making sure there are regular routines for meals, chores, homework, and bedtimes, healthy sleep habits, and healthy eating."

Nevertheless, Needlman does say that parents should consider a medicinal approach if symptoms of the disorder pose a threat to the child or his or her well-being.

Comments

[ImpactADHD]

05:59 PM on 10/04/2012

We consider "Brain Health" to be 1 of 6 fundamental approaches to treating and managing life with ADHD. ADHD is a challenge of self-regulation, a critical skill all humans need to develop in order to be successful. When the metabolic system is out of balance, it's makes sense that it's more difficult to regulate ourselves. Sorta like it's hard to walk when there is something in your shoe that is irritating you. Optimal brain health -- using Omega 3s, probiotics, etc -- helps our systems operate more smoothly. In essence, for some kids, it can take that stone out of the shoe so they're not constantly irritated, making it easier for regulation. I often tell parents to START with the metabolic -- it can smooth the way for all the other interventions to be more effective!

[DrP]

07:29 PM on 01/16/2012

Diet (along with other lifestyle changes) is absolutely the key. My son's adolescence was destroyed by our poor understanding of "ADHD." As a young adult, he has virtually overcome his severe issues with lack of focus by following a very "clean" high-fat, low-carbohydrate/paleo diet. He started eliminating sugar, additives, and dyes 4 years ago, and the in the last year has become even more strict, carefully monitoring every he eats for the effect a particular food has on his mental well-being. He eats primarily whole foods, grass-fed meats and lots of vegetables with olive and coconut oil. He avoids caffeine and most dairy (a recent change). He is also an active yoga practitioner and he credits yoga and meditation as being other elements that have helped him. He is an active crusader against the use of pharmaceuticals to treat "ADHD," and wrote several college papers about the subject.

[dsherwood866]

12:35 PM on 01/12/2012

It's always important to eat healthy, and it's encouraging to read this article that states this might also help children with ADHD. For parents with ADHD childre, I'd recommend checking out the following site, which has some great advice for dealing with the symptoms: onlineceucredit.com/edu/ADHD-td

[SteveC 1979]

03:57 PM on 01/11/2012

Sorry didn't read the article...just wanted to comment that the woman in the picture at the top of the article is hot...!

[bhtxd004]

06:59 PM on 01/10/2012

I have expressed the same thing as this article for over 20 years. Feed your kids junk and fast food, boxed or pre prepared foods and they go wild, and doctors want to fill them up with drugs. Cook for your kids from scratch, no preservatives, dyes, MSG, or other chemicals, organic foods if you can afford them, make french fries yourself many frozen ones contain sulfites, wash veggies as most have pesticide residue. Most commercial hamburger meat has been washed with ammonia. I promise you your kids behaviour will change in as soon as a week. Read labels we are all but being poisoned with the things added to our food and are G.R.A.S or generally reguarded as safe, The FDA has no idea of what these chemicals do in combination. Eat healthy -stay healthy

[karashivers]

06:03 PM on 01/10/2012

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[vandation]

05:36 PM on 01/10/2012

Man do these people hold onto their drugs. Before I would allow a child or grandchild of mine to take that poison ... they would have to be checked out for food and environment allergies, autoimmune disorders .... there are so many things that can cause a child (or adult) to have the symptoms of ADD or ADHD.

Two friends .... two different children. Both were told they had children with ADHD and in order to stay in school they needed meds. I BEGGED them to test for other things. One did ... child had an allergy .... once the allergen was taken away the child miraculously was cured ... no medication needed. The other one would not hear it and medicated her child. Turns out .. guess what ? Child did not have ADHD. This was found out after this poor kid spend two - six months stints in a mental hospital to be weaned off the drugs. Not an allergy this time, but an autoimmune disorder.

For all the haters holding on to their meds ...... I could have been both of these children. So I know what I'm talking about.

So Donald .... anyone who puts their kids on this medicine without trying EVERYTHING ELSE .... should have their kids taken away. I'm betting your wife AND child would fit into the same category I was.

[stina s]

06:55 PM on 01/10/2012

You are describing kids who were misdiagnosed. That is completely different from parents medicating a child that has a true diagnosis of ADHD. If your child does not have ADHD the meds will do nothing to help and probably will actually create some unwanted side effects. I give my daughter meds for ADHD and it has changed her life considerably (in a positive way). We tried everything diet, therapy, we even had her tonsils removed because they were very enlarged and we thought the focus and sleep problems she was having was from her tonsils. I think everyone (you and Donald) needs to stop being so judgmental. Stop acting like you're some expert because you knew two kids who were misdiagnosed and realize that there are individuals who actually have the disorder and though drugs should a option used when all others are exhausted and the diagnosis is correct they still can greatly help improve the quality of ones life when the decision to use them is informed.

[yolo112]

08:52 PM on 01/10/2012

f&f

[vandation]

10:56 AM on 01/11/2012

I'm not being judgmental .......... I'm saying that it's irresponsible to give children drugs that have very serious side effects without testing for EVERYTHING else. Do you have any idea the percentage of misdiagnosed ADD and ADHD ? Those poor children. And as far as those drugs doing nothing to children that don't have ADD or ADHD .... balderdash. The child in the mental institution suffered greatly. Unless you've seen that ... you can't possibly say it does nothing. One of the side effects of Ritilin is Tourets. This now adult has Tourets, which has been directly related to the Ritilin .... he will suffer forever from this ... including in his ability to be considered "normal" ..... getting a job .... finding housing ........ what would his life have been like had he never been exposed to Ritilin. Just sayin.

[Donald Holzum]

05:02 PM on 01/10/2012

People who refuse to give their ADHD children medicine should have those children TAKEN away from them! It is child abuse plain and simple!

[Knot MaFawlt]

05:13 PM on 01/10/2012

Wrong. Automatically prescribing drugs instead of trying to find a natural way to help the child is lazy and not the kind of medical care I would want anywhere near my family. It has been known since the 70's (when I was raising my son and the SCHOOL wanted him on amphetamines) that many children don't need drugs, aren't helped by them and can be helped by following the artificial coloring & flavoring ban diet. No one benefits from all the chemical crap we are brainwashed into calling food. Cook from scratch, get the kids off the couch and don't stuff them with more chemicals just to make them easier to handle. Drugging them to make the school happy is child abuse.

[Conuly]

12:36 AM on 01/11/2012

There's a middle ground where you accept that drugs may be necessary for some people, but you use them cautiously and in conjunction with other methods.

[maternatura]

04:47 PM on 01/10/2012

I have pretty strong feelings about drugging kids just so that they behave "properly." My own son was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia in elementary school by the school psychiatrist and then forced onto drugs in order to remain in school. It was very interesting that all of the behaviors observed in the classroom weren't there during summers when he was in day camp. The difference was that he got plenty of exercise and sunshine outdoors. When indoors for camp projects he followed directions and had a great time. The camp leaders enjoyed his inquisitive nature and energy. He learned far more during the summer than he ever did forced into the classroom environment. Maybe some kids can learn cooped up all day indoors forced to sit for hours on end doing classroom tasks. I think that's way too much to ask for some young kids. Many kids don't learn very well in a classroom environment. They are more doers and explorers.

The next year my son went back to school I simply "forgot" to put him back on those drugs again. They don't know the long term effects of psychotropic drugs on children and I wasn't about to let my kid be a guinea pig. Eventually, he grew up and settled down on his own without the chemical restraints. Too bad that kids are all forced to be cookie cutter Comprachicos. No wonder we have so many adults unable to think for themselves

[Donald Holzum]

05:04 PM on 01/10/2012

Ritalin is NOT psychotropic. ADHD and ADD effect people for the entire lives! The child is special, but the world will not adjust to him. You clearly don't know what you are talking about and you should stop talking!

[maternatura]

05:26 PM on 01/10/2012

There are side effects with all drugs and Ritalin is a psychotropic. It is meant to effect the brain. If you want to drug your kid that's great, but I didn't and in general believe that drugs are over prescribed in this country.

I grew up with medical professionals and as a result also grew up respecting drugs. Most of the time the body will heal itself just fine. Sometimes it needs help. If drugs are warranted, they need to be respected for the powerful potions that they are. Sadly, I've seen first-hand the detrimental effects of over medication.

Further, more research needs to be done with regard to using Ritalin type drugs on kids and alternative teaching techniques. It doesn't make sense that far more children are diagnosed with ADHD in this country than in other advanced societies, particularly when our kids fall so short by comparison in literacy and math.

[vandation]

05:57 PM on 01/10/2012

Do your research dude ...... Ritalin IS VERY MUCH SO a psychotropic drug. FACT. Perhaps YOU are the one who should stop talking.

[cdncommentator]

12:35 PM on 01/11/2012

Yes. Exactly. Some children just need to grow up. Some kids have active imaginations. Some kids have confidence issues. Some have different learning styles that may not be addressed by the whole language method of reading, writing and math used exclusively today. And some are bored in school because they're either advanced or just not that bright.

Parents ought to explore any and all explanations for disruptive behaviour in school or below-expectation academic before agreeing to the very easy and often lazy diagnosis of ADHD or ADD.

Only once all of these other things are ruled out, and only where the child has the same inattentive behaviour in different situations (e.g. at school and during playdates at home) should ADHD/ADD be ruled in.

But it doesn't end there with a label. Then parents need to explore the non-medicine therapies and strategies to deal with the inattention. It is only where none of these are effective that medication should be considered.

[Karyl Cohen]

04:00 PM on 01/10/2012

ADHD is real. 5% of children were diagnosed in the schools where I worked as a Guidance Counselor. Healthy diet is a good idea but it does not take care of the issue.
If you had a child who needed insulin would you deny it because you do not want your
child to have medicine. The children whose parents refused to give their children
meds were hated by their peers and their teachers because they were so annoying.
Did a 10 year study at the Hospital in Hanover, NH with top neurologists.
ADHD is real. Children who are ADHD need boundaries and limits as do all
children. It is not the parents or the teachers fault that these children are out of control.
Education is a beautiful thing. Just saying..

[cdncommentator]

12:40 PM on 01/11/2012

If 5% of children developed heart disease it would be a pandemic!!

I am truly shocked that school administrators have bought into the 5% ADHD rate, particularly when it is much higher in the east than in the west, and no where near that level in Europe.

The problem is systemic. Most systems flit generationally from one learning method to another without considering that a balance is best. We've taken on the whole language model for reading, writing and math and many children who would do well in a phonics based program for reading, learning to spell before having to do any writing, and learning math algorithms before problem solving would "cure" the ADHD.

The educational system sees the child and the parents as the problem instead of also looking at the system. The failure to focus on the child's strengths to understand how the child learns also leads to a lazy ADHD diagnosis that can be dealt with outside the school and for which the school does not have to work to solve. Parenting might also be part of the solution.

The fact is that a label is not a cure. It's just a label. The focus should be on strategies, not labeling.

[DrP]

07:31 PM on 01/16/2012

Yes it is real. But I believe fervently that it is a symptom of insulin-resistance and can be treated with a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet.

[artorius317]

08:24 AM on 01/10/2012

ADHD has gotten way out of control. My cousin was born with it due to his umbilicle cord being wrapped around his neck at birth causing a lack of oxygen to his head..... he was a truely hyperactive child who benifited from the ritalin and adderall. Sadly though, most casses of ADHD today are a result of simply not being able to discipline your child anymore. If your child has no reason to listen..... they won't.

[Donald Holzum]

05:05 PM on 01/10/2012

You haven't the slightest idea what you are talking about. Please shut up!

[artorius317]

05:31 PM on 01/10/2012

Apparently, you're the one who needs to get a grasp on what they're talking about. Next time you want to try and have an educated conversation..... provide something substantial to validate any and all claims/opinions you may have on the issue at hand. Otherwise, you just make yourself sound that much more ignorant than I'm sure you are.

[yolo112]

08:14 PM on 01/10/2012

Really? Lack of oxygen caused ADHD?

[Conuly]

12:38 AM on 01/11/2012

Yes, lack of oxygen at birth is a known risk factor for developing ADHD later.

You might try google before you try snarky comments. You look less stupid that way.

[artorius317]

06:57 AM on 01/11/2012

Not sure if it was solely the lack of oxygen that caused it, but doctors said it was a major contributing factor.

[lorine616]

08:16 AM on 01/10/2012

unless you have a child diagnosed with ADHD...noone will understand..!

[Steven Sanders]

11:47 PM on 01/09/2012

No $h!t! This whole ADHD crap makes me sick. IF a parent is vigilant and takes the time to do the job of parenting, then ADHD is nothing more than a spirited child eager to explore and learn. But because so many 'parents' are too involved with themselves they pump their kids full of drugs so they can be "managed". And imagine how confused the kid is when mommy hands him a pill that alters his or her behavior and perception and then tells them not to use drugs. Peoplehave gotten far to lazy and expect too much ease in their lives.

[stina s]

09:38 AM on 01/10/2012

So then how do you explain kids who have no behaviors problems but problems with learning and attention. My daughter was diagnosed with ADHD of the inattentive subtype, which basically means she is not hyper or disruptive she just quietly daydreams and can't focus at school or home long enough to finish various tasks that are a vital part of her life and future successes. She is actually probably the most well behaved out all four of my kids and she is the only one with ADHD. Her teachers always tell us what a sweet, compassionate, well behaved little girl she is. I think before you pass judgment you should actually read up on what ADHD is because not all kids who have it are hyper out of control trouble makers.

[rckymtn4]

03:47 PM on 01/10/2012

You make a good point. I have been diagnosed with the inattentive type and I am over 50 years old. I always wondered why I never could remember anything and never finished any tasks unless I was I was really interested in the task. I also was well behaved as a child. I daydreamed even when people were talking to me! It is a wonder that I have done as well as I have in life. One thing you might try with your child is to have a ticking clock in her bedroom. A ticking clock would probably drive most people crazy but I find that it helps me slow my racing mind and get better sleep.

[cdncommentator]

12:45 PM on 01/11/2012

The problem is that inattentiveness is sometimes just a symptom of something else that doesn't get addressed, such as different learning styles. The system sees children that don't fit into the current whole language style of learning as problematic. And when children are frustrated by not being able to keep up or learn in that style, they will often give up and either act out or daydream.

The first question should not be the symptom of inattentiveness, but rather, how does this child learn? Our school wanted to label our child, but we knew that the behaviour was only at school. Only after getting a trusted professional to do a full assessment of his strengths and weaknesses did we learn that "whole language" learning was not good for him, and that old-style phonics and math algorithms was the way to go. Three months of tutoring later...problems solved.

But had we been complacent, our kid would have been less of a daydreamer on medication...but would be learning next to nothing and seen as dumb, when he's actually quite bright and ahead of his age group in many language and math areas.

[stina s]

09:43 AM on 01/10/2012

(continued from my previous post) We tried many things with our daughter after her diagnosis, we went to therapy, we watched her diet, we worked with her teachers at school and she was still almost a whole year behind in reading (even with one on one reading instruction everyday at school) and quickly falling behind in all other areas despite the fact that she tested in the upper normal range for IQ and is a hard working bright little girl. I decided we would try meds as a last resort because not only were her grades being affected but her self confidence was affected also. Within 1 month of being on meds she was reading at grade level, there were no tears and protests of "I just can't do it mom" at homework time, and she was engaged in class rather than sitting shyly in the back daydreaming. I'm not a lazy parent. I made the best decision for my child with the tools that I had. Meds gave my child the opportunity to reach her full academic potential and stopped her from going down a road of low self esteem and feelings of constant failure. I did not make the decision to put her on meds lightly. BTW, I am also diagnosed with ADHD (it is a very genetic disorder) and I have taken meds while in college and they do not in anyway alter your "perception" about the world.

[Donald Holzum]

05:10 PM on 01/10/2012

You have just described my wife to a T. She is 47 and has spent a lifetime dealing with this problem. Our son has adhd. I have special techniques for both of them. They are special. The rest of the world will not make adjustments for them. I can. Ritalin is a GOD send!

[siouxsy]

07:14 PM on 01/09/2012

Just one more point. These health foods, including pesticide and preservative-free and high Omega 3 are NOT CHEAP. Medicaid readily pays for drugs, but our health care system doesn't pay for these preventative approaches that, in the long run, are far less expensive.

Gov't allowed for many years and still allows trans fats (even allows labeling "Zero" trans fat when .5 PER SERVING is included). Trans fats BLOCK Omega 3 and other good fats from cell absorption.

We must change from a system that supports the chemical/pharmaceutical industry's approach to causing and treating illness to one that creates good health and prevents illness.

[WilmaJune]

03:51 AM on 01/10/2012

Give it a rest. We are all tired of hearing the food fear mongers. Parents need to let their kids play without checking their every mood. Every child can learn unless their IQ is 29 or below. Enjoy your children while they are young. Remember: every minute you spend worrying is one less minute of enjoyment with your child. You can drive yourself crazy over food but it will not help you or your child.

[Laurie Allen]

09:05 AM on 01/10/2012

exactly, we have the highest cancer rate in the world. Do people really think it's NOT because of the food we eat and the exercise we no longer get. When people from other countries come over here from their home countries to live here, their cancer rates quadruple. If our diets can affect the cancer rate, do people believe it's not affecting other health problems as well. All the food corps like Monsanto, Dupont etc. and big pharma have an interest in keeping us malnourished...money. Everything in this country is about money. Our govt used to care about it's people now they have all sold out to the food corps trying to take over our food system. Europe still cares about it's people. They ban all this crap until it's proved healthy, our govt says go ahead and sell it till it's proved unhealthy, meanwhile people are ruining their health physically and mentally...all for money.

[Conuly]

10:21 AM on 01/10/2012

You could have googled this information, incidentally. I'm sure it's easier to just make stuff up, but try to actually know what you're talking about in the future.

[Conuly]

10:41 AM on 01/10/2012

*eyeroll*

That's what happens when one comment is approved and the other isn't.

What I *said* is that Denmark is the country with the highest cancer rated, followed by Ireland and then New Zealand. We're seventh on the list. There was more, but let's see if that comment shows up.

[siouxsy]

07:09 PM on 01/09/2012

Very good info -- another important thing to consider is not just diet, but allergens and poisons in foods as well as the environment. The Feingold Diet is a good source for learning how to eliminate preservatives, dyes and other possible triggers of behavioral problems.

For indoor environment, it's important to realize that children are especially vulnerable to even low levels of neurotoxins like synthetic perfumes (think laundry dryer sheets and other scented laundry and household cleaners) and pesticides.

Before considering a drug, made by the same companies that make pesticides and perfumes, it would be best to consider eliminating these toxins from the home and school environments, especially from bedding where children breathe these fumes at length while asleep.

Dr. Doris Rapp's webpage shows evidence of how environmental toxins and even food allergies can have a very profound effect upon children's behavior.

[WilmaJune]

03:59 AM on 01/10/2012

My brother and I would rub the spray off the cherries and eat them Never washed our hands or the cherries. Never got a belly ache. The real source of a child's problem is usually a nervous parent or a smothering grand-parent.

[Donald Holzum]

05:12 PM on 01/10/2012

No it is not!!!!! Please take a nap Grandma.

[sharr4580]

06:24 PM on 01/10/2012

OMG!!! You folks have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. I guess, in your case, ignorance is bliss. Nothing is that simplistic!