WHAT IS ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most common behavioral disorder in children, estimated to affect between 5 to 10 percent of children and 3 to 6 percent of adults, according to the Attention Deficit Disorder Association. Children with ADHD tend to be hyperactive, impulsive, and inattentive.

Not everyone who is overly hyperactive, inattentive, or impulsive has ADHD. Since most people answer out of turn, are distracted easily, and become disorganized, how can practitioners tell if the problem is specifically ADHD?

Health care providers can diagnose ADHD with the help of standard guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics. The behaviors must create a real handicap in at least two areas of a person’s life such as in the schoolroom, at home, or in social settings. Therefore, someone who shows some symptoms but whose schoolwork or friendships are not impaired by these behaviors would not be diagnosed with ADHD. Nor would a child who seems overly active on the playground but functions well elsewhere receive an ADHD diagnosis.

The cause of ADHD remains unknown. However, genetics and biological factors that affect neurotransmitter activity in the brain are influential. From a holistic point of view, environmental allergens, nutritional deficiencies, food additives, food sensitivities, and heavy metal toxicities such as lead, aluminum, and mercury all contribute to the cause.

NUTRITION PLAYS A PART

New research is now appearing that shows the link between ADHD and consumption of food additives by children. An online article published in The Lancet in September 2007 found that artificial food coloring and additives commonly located in children’s food exacerbate hyperactive behaviors in children. The study consisted of 153 3-year-old and 144 8/9-year-old children. Analysis was based on observation, plus a computerized test of attention for the 8/9-year-old children.

Depending on the child’s sensitivity, food additives cause biochemical imbalances in the body which strongly influences the way the brain functions. In the case of ADHD-diagnosed children, it alters their behavior, making them restless and/or distracted. There are more than 5,000 additives in our food supply; therefore, it is almost impossible to completely eradicate them from our diets. However, limiting the intake by preparing meals containing whole foods and by reading labels to identify ingredients shown to exacerbate symptoms can aid in reducing the severity of the symptoms.

OMEGA FATTY ACIDS

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are crucial to brain development and function. Increasing evidence indicates that deficiencies of these fatty acids might be associated with childhood developmental disorders including ADHD. Omega-3 fatty acids are often lacking in our diets. Studies have indicated that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids helps in the management of the ADHD-linked behavioral and learning difficulties. Food sources containing these essential fatty acids are fish such as salmon, halibut and trout and freshly ground flaxseeds, to name a few.
Supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids can also be used. A study reported in Nutrition Journal in July 2007 reported that high-dose Omega-3 fatty acid concentrates improve behavior in children with ADHD. They supplemented children over eight weeks, and results indicated that participants experienced a significant reduction in symptoms without side effects. Caution should be used when buying omega-3 fatty acid supplements over-the-counter. Traces of heavy metals have been found in these supplements; therefore, high potent supplements indicating distillation processes should be obtained.

IRON LEVELS

Iron deficiency has also been shown to contribute to the cause of ADHD. Low iron levels have been indicated in research to create abnormal dopamine synthesis in the brain yielding ADHD symptoms. A study published in the journal Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine showed that serum ferritin levels indicating iron stores in children ages 4 to 14 years old were abnormal in 84% of the children with ADHD. In addition, low serum ferritin levels were correlated with more severe ADHD symptoms and greater cognitive deficits. These results suggest that ADHD children may benefit from iron supplementation.

Amanda H. Fey is a Naturopathic Doctor currently working at the Integrative Medicine Center, www.doctorfey.com. For questions, she can be contacted at (607) 275-9697.