The quality of food we eat (or lack thereof) has a profound affect on Attention Deficit Disorder and ADHD. For many people, nutrition alone can effectively work as an ADHD alternative treatment. A growing body of research points to nutritional deficiencies – especially with essential fatty acids and amino acids – as a contributing factor of Attention Deficit Disorder and learning deficiencies.
Research
A study found that hyperactive children who ate a meal high in protein did equally well, and sometimes better, in school compared to non-hyperactive kids. An Oxford University (England) study evaluated the effects of fatty acid supplementation in average intelligence children with significant reading and writing disabilities. The ADHD symptoms in children receiving Essential
Fatty Acids significantly improved over the kids in the control group receiving a placebo. Researchers first tied Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD with lower essential fatty acid in 1981. Studies examining essential fatty acid blood levels in children with behavioral issues in 1983 confirmed this Attention Deficit Disorder nutrition connection.
Let’s see…
Researchers further recorded the essential fatty acid deficiency tie to Attention Deficit Disorder in a 1987 study. Then, a 1995 study comparing essential fatty acid levels in ADHD boys from a control group of boys without ADHD found significantly lower levels of Omega-3 fatty acids. In 1996 Purdue University scientists have found that boys with low blood levels of Omega-3 fatty acids have a greater frequency of Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD.
Attention Deficit Disorder is the most common behavioral disorder in children. Not all Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD children are nutritionally deficient in essential fatty acids, statistics and studies reveal that a substantial number of ADHD children are. Physicians predominately use stimulant drugs like Ritalin for Attention Deficit Disorder but studies show that Attention Deficit
Disorder ADHD children whose treatment program includes only stimulant drugs remain at a high risk for vandalism, petty crime, frequency of alcoholic intoxication, and possession of marijuana. Additionally, ADHD medications don’t always work, have a plethora of harmful side effects rather than deal with the cause the Attention Deficit Disorder.
Did you know?
With Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD, food and nutrition is one the first aspect of treatment to consider, as an ADHD alternative treatment or used in combination with traditional ADHD stimulant medication treatment. Fatty acids are used to make brain and nerve cells in the body and are crucial for proper growth, mental function, the immune system and brain development. The body can’t produce the two fatty acids families, Omega-3 and Omega-6, on its own and therefore must receive these important Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD nutrition ingredients through diet and supplementation.
Although the typical Western diet is high in the Omega-6 family of fatty acids (found in corn, sunflower, canola and safflower oil, margarine, vegetable oil and shortening), many Americans young and old are highly deficient in Omega-3. Learning specialists now believe many childhood behavior and learning problems are related to Omega-3 deficiencies. This deficiency has a greater impact on men because their requirements for essential fatty acids are, in general, much higher.
It’s not surprising that boys are diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder at a significantly greater rate than girls. ADHD adults and parents of ADHD children should include food high in Omega-3 fatty acids every day. Having said that, many children simply won’t eat the Omega-3 rich salmon, mackerel and sardines.
Flax seed
Enter flax seed and flax oil – “food of the gods” when it comes to Omega-3 fatty acids. Flax seed and flax oil are the richest plant source of Omega-3 fatty acids also provides Attention Deficit Disorder nutrition vital to support healthy youth behavioral and IQ development. One to two tablespoons of flax oil should be part of a daily Care Deficit Disorder ADHD nutrition food action plan. In addition to the positive affects on brain function, flax oil also works to prevent cardiovascular disease and certain forms of cancer.
Flax oil helps soften skin, balance energy, burn fat, stimulate the metabolism, strengthen the immune system, manage diabetes, help prevent autoimmune disease and inflammatory disorders. Flax oil also helps alleviate PMS and some menopause symptoms. Mix 1 tablespoon of flax oil in flavored yogurt. 1 tablespoon of flax oil in fruit juices is virtually undetectable. Mix 1 tablespoon of flax oil with one tablespoon maple syrup or honey as a sweetener instead of sugar. Use 1-2 tablespoons of flax oil when making tuna salad or egg salad while proportionably diminishing the amount of Miracle Whip or mayonnaise used.
Take note
Flax Butter: Melt 1 stick organic butter and mix with 4 ounces flax oil when cooled to room temperature. Refrigerate until the carrot butter solidifies and use instead of margarine. Omega-3 “Ice Cream”: Mix 2 cups yogurt with 1 tablespoon flax oil and fresh or frozen fruit. Most studies conducted on the affects of essential fatty acids found that at least 10 weeks of supplementation is required to adequately raised fatty acid levels in brain cells.
Follow a diet high in Omega-3 fatty acids for at least 10 weeks, and preferably 12 weeks, before judging the effectiveness of nourishment Attention Deficit Disorder and ADHD symptoms. Flax oil is highly perishable and must be kept refrigerated at all time. Heat destroys the health-giving flax oil properties. Use flax oil just with cold foods, cold proteins are best. When purchasing flax oil, use only high quality, cold-pressed flax oil.
The date pressed along with a freshness date of four weeks or less from the pressed date should be on the tag. Otherwise, don’t get it! Don’t use flax seed oil beyond its expiration date because the oil will turn rancid. Essential fatty acids aren’t the only element required when addressing Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD nutrition.
Final note
Amino acids, from which protein is made, are an integral component since amino acids and essential fatty acids are needed to work in the body. Therefore, adding quality protein is a key in Attention Deficit Disorder nutrition. Attention Deficit and hyperactive individuals can significantly reduce the amount of unfocused or misdirected energy by simply starting the day with a protein based breakfast. A good protein breakfast can increase endurance, reduce restlessness and increase physical and mental calm. Scrambled eggs, toast and fruit. Whole wheat toast with peanut butter. Fruit and yogurt smoothie with flax oil. Bacon and eggs with toast and milk. Egg and sausage patty on English muffin. Yogurt mixed with a tablespoon of flax oil.
