Does nutrition play a role in ADHD?

It is not known if diet can cause ADHD. Research suggests that dietary changes may help some people improve their symptoms.

A substantial amount of research has been conducted on the effects of nutrition on ADHD. This article provides an overview of the findings and discusses foods, diets, supplements, etc.

What is ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is an attention deficit disorder that involves hyperactivity and impulsiveness. This is a common disorder in children, but it can also affect many adults.

Research shows that genetics are a significant factor in ADHD. Environmental toxicity, poor nutrition in early childhood, and other factors have been implicated.

ADHD is thought to be caused by low levels of noradrenaline and dopamine in the area of the brain that regulates self-regulation.

These functions can be impaired when people are unable to perform tasks, keep focused, or curb inappropriate behaviors. This can affect their ability to maintain relationships, work, and do well at school.

ADHD is not considered a curable condition, so treatment aims to reduce the symptoms. Most commonly, behavioral therapy and medication are used. Dietary changes can also be helpful in managing symptoms.

Nutritional and behavioral

The science behind the effects of food on behavior is still relatively new and controversial. However, certain foods do affect behavior.

Caffeine, for example, can improve alertness. Chocolate, on the other hand, can alter mood. Alcohol can also change behavior.

A nutritional deficiency can also influence behavior. A study found that taking essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals as opposed to a placebo led to a significant decrease in antisocial behaviors.

According to studies, vitamin and mineral supplements may also help reduce antisocial behaviors in children. Polyunsaturated fats have been shown by research to decrease violent behavior.

It is plausible that foods and supplements could affect ADHD symptoms. These are mostly behavioral in nature. A lot of research on nutrition has been done to determine the effects of food and supplements on ADHD.

Two types of studies are most common:

Supplement studies. These studies focus on supplementing one or more nutrients.
Elimination studies. Elimination studies are aimed at eliminating one or more ingredients from a diet.

Supplementary studies A research review

Numerous studies have revealed that children with ADHD don't eat a balanced diet, and they have nutritional deficiencies. Researchers speculated that supplementation could help improve symptoms.

Researchers have studied the effects of various supplements on ADHD symptoms, including:

amino acids
vitamins
minerals
Omega-3 fatty acids

Amino acid supplements

Amino acids are essential for the proper functioning of every cell in the body. Amino acids are also used in the production of neurotransmitters or signaling molecules within the brain.

The amino acids phenylalanine (phenylalanine), tyrosine (tyrosine), and tryptophan (tryptophan) are used in particular to make dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. These amino acids are low in the blood and urine of people with ADHD.

A few studies have been conducted to determine if amino acid supplements can reduce ADHD symptoms. Some studies have shown no effect, while others show modest benefits.

Vitamin and mineral supplements

All children can suffer from mental impairment due to iron and zinc deficiency, regardless of whether they have ADHD.

Children with ADHD have been found to have lower levels of magnesium, zinc, calcium, and phosphorus.

Multiple studies have examined the effects of supplements containing zinc, and they all reported improvement in symptoms.

Two other studies evaluated the effects of iron supplementation on children with ADHD. Both studies found improvement, but more research is required. No improvement in ADHD symptoms was reported after megadoses of vitamin B6, B5, and B3.

A 2014 study of a mineral and multivitamin supplement found an effect. Adults taking the supplement improved on ADHD rating scales within 8 weeks compared to the placebo group.

Omega-3 fatty acid supplements

Omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in the brain. The omega-3 fatty acids in children with ADHD are generally lower than those without ADHD. The more ADHD children have learning and behavior problems, the lower the omega-3 level is.

It's not surprising that omega-3 supplements have been found to improve ADHD symptoms in some studies.

Omega-3 fatty acid supplements appeared to improve attention and task completion. They also reduced aggression, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and restlessness.

Not all researchers, however, are convinced. According to one study that assessed ADHD symptoms using Connor's Rating Scale (CRS), there is little evidence that omega-3 supplements can improve ADHD symptoms.

Elimination studies: A research review

Some people with ADHD have a greater tendency to react negatively to certain foods, leading to speculation that eliminating these foods could help improve symptoms.

Researchers have studied the effects of removing many ingredients, including:

Food additives
Preservatives
Sweeteners
Allergenic foods

Eliminating food additives and salicylates

Dr. Feingold, an allergist, discovered by accident that food can affect behavior. In the 1970s, he prescribed to his patients a diet that excluded certain ingredients, which caused a reaction. Salicylates are compounds that can be found in food, medication, and additives. Some of Feingold's clients reported behavioral improvements while on the diet.

Feingold began recruiting children with hyperactivity to participate in dietary studies shortly after. He claimed that between 30 and 50% of the children improved after changing their diet.

Many parents who still exist today, including the Feingold Association of the United States, praised his work.

The Feingold Diet was not found to be an effective treatment for hyperactivity in reviews, but it sparked further research on the effects of eliminating food additives and foods.

Medical professionals advise strongly against the use of salicylate-free diets for ADHD treatment. This diet can cause nutritional deficiencies in children and increase food aversion.

Eliminating artificial preservatives and colorants

Researchers focused on artificial food colors and preservatives after the Feingold Diet was no longer considered effective. These substances can affect children's behavior, whether or not they have ADHD.

In one study, 800 children were suspected to be hyperactive. Seventy-five percent of the children improved on an AFC-free diet but then relapsed when given AFCs.

A study conducted in the UK found that sodium benzoate and AFCs, a preservative, increased hyperactivity among children.

Many people still claim that the evidence for AFCs increasing hyperactivity is weak, despite studies showing this.

The Food and Drug Administration requires that certain AFCs be listed on food packaging. A warning label is required by the European Union (EU), listing harmful effects on children's behavior and attention.

Elimination of sugar and artificial sweeteners

Soft drinks are linked to hyperactivity and low blood glucose in ADHD patients. Observational studies have also shown that sugar consumption is related to ADHD symptoms among children and adolescents.

One review of sugar and its effects on behavior, however, found that there were no negative effects. The artificial sweetener aspartame was also not affected by two trials. Blood sugar imbalances may cause attention levels to drop.

Elimination Diet for a Few Foods

The Few Foods Elimination Diet tests the response of people with ADHD to food. How it works is as follows:

In this step, you will follow a diet that is low in allergens and unlikely to have any adverse effects. Enter the next phase if symptoms improve.
All foods suspected of causing adverse reactions are reintroduced after 3–7 days. Foods that cause symptoms to return are classified as "sensitizing."
This step prescribes a personal diet protocol. To minimize symptoms, it is important to avoid foods that can cause sensitization.

This diet has been tested in 12 different studies, which each lasted from 1 to 5 weeks and involved 21–50 children.

One study found that ADHD symptoms decreased statistically significantly in 50–80% of participants. The other found improvement in 24% of children.

Most of the children who reacted to the diet ate more than just one food. Although the reaction was different for each child, cow's dairy and wheat were most commonly cited. It is not known why some children respond to this diet and others do not.