The connection between ADD/ADHD and nutrition is accepted as fact. Ever since the late 1970’s, suspicions on whether nutrition could be related to ADD/ADHD has been explored by researchers. Now that the fact has been established, this important link continues to be misunderstood by nutritionist, medical professional as well as individuals diagnosed with ADD/ADHD.

The Studies

There have been literally thousands of studies that have investigated the connection between nutrition and ADD/ADHD. A majority of these studies have been conducted by reputable learning institutions and medical facilities. Many of these experts have found a definitive connection between nutrition and ADD/ADHD and this connection has been documented in numerous published studies. Information on only a few of these studies follows.

The remarkable role of nutrition in learning and behavior. This study, authored by Jennifer Dani, Courtney Burrill, and Barbara Demmig-Adams found that:

“The result of this analysis is that nutrition has potent effects on brain function. It is concluded that protein, iron, iodine, and the consumption of breakfast all impact on a child’s learning capability and behaviour. Moreover, recent research has identified additional, potent roles of micronutrients, such as essential fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins, in the prevention of learning and behavioural disorders. Among the latter, this review focuses particularly on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.”

Mental Health: Not All in the Mind—Really a Matter of Cellular Biochemistry, by Chris D. Meletis and Jason Barker.

Findings of a study call ‘Artificial Food Coloring Promotes Hyperactivity’ found that “children’s behavior did improve significantly when AFCs (artificial food colorings) were eliminated from their diet.” This study was then published in Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics.

A child’s diet can lead to behavioral disorders. This is a finding from a study conducted by C M Carter, M Urbanowicz, R Hemsley, L Mantilla, S Strobel, P J Graham, and E Taylor titled ‘Effects of a few food diet in attention deficit disorder’. Conditions of 76% of children implementing elimination diet later improved.

“A beneficial effect of eliminating reactive foods and artificial colors in children with ADHD.Dietary factors is suspected to have significant role in etiology of a large number of children with ADHD.” Therefore, this study by M. Boris and F.S. Mandel found that suggested that foods and additives are the culprits of the attention deficit hyperactive disorder in children.

The Results

The few researches covered here are just a friction of all researches that have been conducted in the quest to prove the impact of nutritional factors on ADD/ADHD. These nutritional factors could be food additives, fatty acids, vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Subjects have participated in elimination diets; nutritional supplementation, behavioral observations and self-reporting in the course of these studies and most studies were also more focus towards young children as subjects. There are also a number of studies done on adolescence and adults.

These studies took place at a variety of reputable institutions such as Harvard University, Cornell University, Cornell Medical Center, Oxford University, etc., and are therefore backed by the reputations of these facilities.

All of the studies carried the same theme in findings. They have scientifically proved that once the nutritional deficiency or food additive causing the sensitivity, allergy, or toxic reaction were removed from the diet, participants experience improvement in their behavior. They have also developed increased in reading ability, motor coordination, and IQ, prior to having poor attention ability and concentration. These improvements are as a result of these individuals was able to focus and stay on task.

So, what does all this mean?

These findings shows that ADD/ADHD can be treated without medicinal interventions. However, we might need more than these studies to change the views of a large portion of the medical community. Therefore, we as individuals should take the challenge of learning more about alternative treatment of ADD/ADHD. This means that it is possible for those suffering from ADD/ADHD to live their life normally without depending on medications.

My son was recently diagnosed with ADD/ADHD a combination of both. After researching the medication his doctor prescribed for him, I decided not to give the medication to to my son. The side effect of the drug could damage his heart in the long run.

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Diet definitely, there are many cases of medication for ADD/ADHD causing other conditions. Drugs don’t create a healing environment in the body, natural foods and herbs do. Consult a naturopath and read Patrick Holford. When I was in school there were no kids with ADD or ADHD.
I think it is being over-diagnosed, either out of laziness or to sell drugs. Doctors are given incentives by pharmaceutical companies to sell their products.

I’m 20 years old and after struggling in college and fitting so many descriptions of ADD/ADHD, I’m finally going to get tested. I’ve heard of some of the tests for children but I was wondering how they do the testing for adults?

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There are diagnostic critieria that must be met that come from what is called the DSM-IV. Some areas to be assessed are impulsivity, and concentration. There are specific pencil and paper tests that can be given for screening – Connor’s for example as well some computer tests such as the TOVA, and Continuous Performance Testing I believe. Family background is looked at – is there someone in your immediate family that has it, or someone – yourself that had a learning disability. A learning disability is not ADHD, but can co-occur with it. Sometimes a WAIS (inteligence test) can be administered as there are certain parts of that test that can point towards attentional and concentration problems.
A good book to read is called “Driven to Distraction” which is writen by a psychiatrist with ADHD and another is called “You mean I’m not Lazy, Stupid, or Crazy?” by Kelley and Ramundo. They deal with adults who have ADHD.
Hope this helpful, and I wish you well.

when there are so many articles like this “The medications under the microscope are amphetamines like Dexedrine and Adderall, and methylphenidates like Concerta, Focalin, Metadate, Methylin and Ritalin.
The FDA will decide if patients need to be warned about an association with heart problems such as heart attacks, and psychiatric problems such as hallucinations, psychosis or mania in children. Black box warnings are serious markers of possible risk. The ADHD drug Strattera already carries a warning stating that it can increase suicidal thinking in teens”
Is it really worth these possible side effects?

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The parents choose to medicate their children, or even the doctors tell the parents that they have to. Sometimes it works for them, sometimes it don’t. My husband is a great example..the doctors wanted him medicated for ADHD when he was a little kid. His mother did what the doctors told her to, he developed reactions and almost died..several times. He is not on any medication now and does just fine.
I have a nephew that has ADHD too and is on medication. He is even more hyper now then he was before hand..my SIL is wanting to take him off that medication for that very reason. As a matter of fact..it was Ritalin in both cases.

Just wondering what the official tests are that doctors give patients to diagnose ADD/ADHD, not the self tests etc.. sources would be appreciated

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It depends on the doctor and if he is going to administer any psych testing. My psychiatrist just listened to my symptoms and diagnosed according to the DSM-IV TR. That is primarily how psychiatric disorders are diagnosed.

Or should I take no meds at all. Any suggestions would be helpful.

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Forget meds, they don’t work. They just mask the symptoms. What you need to do is to change your diet. Try a Japanese diet, there is almost no ADHD in Japan. Eat lots of oily fish, the Omega 3 oil that they has been shown to help the brain. It improves concentration and helps to promote natural wellbeing. Also try increasing your intake of fresh fruit and vegetables. It might sound like hippie nonsense, but it really does work.
In Britain they conducted a trial in a prison where they changed the convicts diets and it reduced violence and bad behavior by between 50 and 75%. If it can help cons then it can help normal people, too.

People classify people just on the way the act do you think people should classify ADD kids and ADHD kids?
Also what pills can you take for ADD and ADHD i know i take aderal but what are the other kinds out there?

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most children with ADHD shoudl be in the regular class with supports in place
some 9espceially with a co cucurrent significant learnign disability may need to be is a special ed class at least part of teh day
the meds are usually in the stimulant class–they actually calm down ADHD
Concerta, Ritalin, etc
while many undisciplined children are labeled with ADHD–
there really is such a condtion that has nothing to do with a discipline problem