| ADHD is a large problem in the US and the disorder | | | | the consequences and even daydreaming.Causes of |
| can manifest itself in a number of ways, not all of | | | | ADHDThe research into the causes of ADHD has |
| them are obvious. Although there are a number of | | | | thrown up a number of issues. Primarily it seems that |
| pharmaceutical options for sufferers, there are also | | | | both genetic and environmental factors play a role in |
| many simple nutritional steps that can be taken to | | | | ADHD. Significantly, research has shown that many |
| help remedy the situation.It is startling to know that | | | | critical food deficiencies could cause the problem. |
| 3 to 7 percent of children in the US suffer from | | | | These could be as varied as deficiency of essential |
| ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. | | | | omega 3 fatty acids, antioxidant vitamins like vitamin |
| This means it affects over 2 million children in | | | | C, iron and even zinc.Omega 3 Fatty AcidsOmega 3 |
| America, that is, one in every class of 25 would have | | | | deficiency may lead to behavioral problems that are |
| ADHD. This condition is usually diagnosed in the | | | | linked with ADHD. Some children with ADHD show |
| pre-school and early school years. Children with these | | | | other symptoms connected with Omega 3 |
| symptoms are unusually fidgety and restless. They | | | | deficiency, such as dry skin and hair, thirst and even |
| may have problems paying attention in school, waiting | | | | frequent urination. A trial in supplementing Omega 3 in |
| in lines or taking turns. Some children may express | | | | children with ADHD revealed some surprising results. |
| this in their aggression. ADHD is usually diagnosed | | | | Over a period of time, fish oil supplements were |
| more in boys that girls, but that could be because | | | | given to a group of children and a placebo to another |
| girls tend to be quieter and less aggressive than | | | | set. The children with fish oil supplements showed |
| boys. In girls it could manifest itself as talkativeness | | | | remarkable improvements in attentiveness and other |
| rather than aggression.ADHD DefinitionThe U.S. | | | | attributes. Academic results were much better with |
| Surgeon General has defined ADHD as a metabolic | | | | better scores in reading, spelling, mathematics and |
| form of encephalopathy. The disease weakens the | | | | other skills. No such improvements were seen in |
| release and homeostasis of neurological chemicals, | | | | children given the placebo. Thus Omega 3 rich |
| reducing the function of the limbic system. Other | | | | supplements such as fish oil could be a solution to |
| relevant research however points out that some part | | | | help children with ADHD. Some researchers feel |
| of the brain could be involved. These are the frontal | | | | babies who are breast-fed have a lower chance of |
| lobes, their connections to the basal ganglia, the | | | | developing ADHD later because it is rich in Omega |
| central aspects of the cerebellum and the middle or | | | | 3.Food and Environmental AllergiesChildren with ADHD |
| medial aspect of the frontal lobe.ADHD into | | | | may also be more likely to suffer from food allergies. |
| AdulthoodFour types of ADHD types have been | | | | They could be losing vital vitamins, iron and even zinc |
| recognized. These are the Predominantly Inattentive, | | | | because of their allergy to dairy products, wheat, |
| Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive, and Combined | | | | corn, yeast, soy, citrus, eggs, chocolate, peanuts and |
| Type of ADHD (hyperactive-impulsive and | | | | artificial colors and preservatives. It has been seen |
| inattentive) and ADHD Not Otherwise Specified. As a | | | | that children with ADHD lose zinc when exposed to a |
| person gets older, the symptoms of ADHD could | | | | food dye. In a study that eliminated these allergens in |
| reduce, but many children diagnosed with ADHD | | | | the diet of some children, the majority of the children |
| retain this disorder into adulthood too. It is then | | | | showed lower levels of hyperactivity. Once these |
| known as Adult Attention-Deficit Disorder or AADD. | | | | were added back to diet, the problems associated |
| In adults, it manifests itself in the need to be | | | | with ADHD once again returned.Dietary |
| physically busy all time, excessive talking, interrupting | | | | DeficienciesResearch has also shown that iron levels |
| others, risk taking, speaking out without regard to | | | | are low in children suffering from ADHD. |