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.