There is so much information out there with regards to nutrition and ADHD, including wild claims that your ADHD can be ‘cured’ with particular diets. This is of course nonsense, there is no ‘cure’ for ADHD but there is quite a lot of evidence to suggest that eating a diet rich in protein and the two essential fatty acids, omega 6 and omega 3 will be beneficial and could help control ADHD symptoms.

“Proteins affect brain performance by providing the amino acids from which neurotransmitters are made. Neurotransmitters are biochemical messengers that carry signals from one brain cell to another. The better you feed these messengers, the more efficiently and accurately they deliver the goods. Two amino acids, tryptophan and tyrosine, are important building blocks of neurotransmitters. These amino acids influence the four top neurotransmitters — serotonin, dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine.” Dopamine and norepinephrine being two neurotransmitters which ADHDers are deficient in.

“Most important to brain function are the two essential fatty acids found in fish oil: linoleic (or omega 6) and alpha linolenic (or omega 3). These are the prime structural components of brain cell membranes, and an important part of the enzymes that allow cell membranes to transport nutrients in and out of cells.” – ADDitude Magazine.

STIMULANT MEDICATION

“Sometimes the medicines most often used to treat ADHD can cause weight loss. Stimulant drugs like methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall) make you less hungry and make your body burn calories faster than usual.”

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DISORDERED EATING

“Although there is minimal research available specifically on women, girls, and eating disorders correlated with ADHD, there are studies that establish that obesity, bulimia and binge eating are more prevalent in those with ADHD due to poor self-control and impulsivity.”

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VITAMINS

“Here are some specific vitamins and minerals that affect behavior and learning in children and adults:

Vitamin C is required by the brain to make neurotransmitters. In fact, the brain has a special vitamin c “pump,” which draws extra vitamin c out of the blood into the brain.

Vitamin B6 deficiency causes irritability and fatigue. Adequate levels of the vitamin increase the brain’s levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, increasing alertness.

Iron is also necessary for making dopamine. One small study showed ferritin levels (a measure of iron stores) to be low in 84 percent of children with ADHD, compared to 18 percent of a control group. Low iron levels correlate with severe ADHD.

Zinc regulates the neurotransmitter dopamine, and may make methylphenidate more effective by improving the brain’s response to dopamine. Low levels of this mineral correlate with inattention.”

– ADDitude

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“The better you want your brain to perform, the more unprocessed foods, proteins, vegetables, and fruits you should eat.” – ADDitude

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