How to Treat Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder With Diet

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is a childhood disorder characterized by problems with concentration, impulsiveness and hyperactivity. It can be treated with medication and counseling; however, since a 1922 study by W.R. Shannon in the "American Journal of Disabled Children," studies have looked at the effect of diet on child behavior. In 1975, Dr. Ben. F. Feingold linked hyperactivity and learning disabilities to artificial food colors and flavors, according to the book "Why Is Your Child Hyperactive?" Knowing what foods can have an effect on ADHD can aid you in the treatment of the disorder.

Instructions

• 1

  Calculate the amount of treatment resources that can be spent on a special diet. If your child's current treatment regimen is working, it might not be a good idea to spend money on special foods.

• 2

  Enlist the help of your health care provider. Do not put your child on a special diet without the guidance of a health care professional.

• 3

  Test if your child responds to the elimination of artificial dyes and preservatives from his diet. Some children may show increased hyperactivity when consuming these ingredients, according to a 2003 study cited on the Archives of Disease in Childhood website.

• 4

  Give your child carnitine, zinc and magnesium supplements. Supplementation may improve ADHD symptoms, according to Encognitive.com. Stick close to the recommended daily allowance for each supplement, as too much can lead to health problems.

• 5

  Supplement your child's diet with omega-3 fatty acids. Risk of ADHD may be increased by omega-3 fatty acid deficiency, according to Encognitive.com

• 6

  Put your child on an elimination diet if other methods are ineffective. An elimination diet prohibits foods that may cause allergic reactions. Foods that are typically "safe" foods include rice, turkey, pears and lettuce. You then gradually incorporate regular foods back into your child's diet. An elimination diet may decrease ADHD symptoms, according to Encognitive.com.

• 7

  Allow your child to have sugar. Studies have investigated the role of sugar in ADHD and have not found a correlation, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association website. Only allow sugar in moderate amounts because excess sugar can lead to rapid swings in blood sugar, tooth decay and obesity.

• 8

  Follow the latest research on ADHD to learn if any new foods are implicated in the development of the disorder or if any foods are found to be unrelated to ADHD.