Hyperactivity & Diet

Hyperactive disorders cause children to behave in often inappropriate ways. Medicine such as Ritalin is often prescribed to children to help them concentrate, but Ritalin can have many unwanted side effects. However, hyperactivity might be corrected by feeding the hyperactive child adequate vitamins and minerals while removing sugars and artificial chemicals. Parents should consult with their child's pediatrician before using a diet to treat hyperactivity disorder.

Understanding Hyperactivity

• Hyperactivity is a disorder that has mostly been a concern in the past couple decades, mostly in the United States. While exact causes of hyperactivity are unknown, research has linked hyperactivity and allergies to food additives, metal toxicity, excessive sugar, thyroid problems and deficiencies in vitamins and minerals. Nutrients most often deficient in children are essential fatty acids, B vitamins, magnesium, amino acids and phospholipid. Children deficient in essential fatty acids might not be metabolizing these acids correctly, or might not be absorbing essential fatty acids in the stomach.

Artificial Chemicals

• Benjamin Feingold, M.D. claimed in 1973 that artificial additives cause hyperactivity in children. Products such as mouthwash, toothpaste, cough drops and those containing other chemicals should be used as minimally as possible, Feingold said. Foods containing artificial flavors, aspirin and salicylates should be removed from the diet, according to Feingold. However, the link between artificial chemicals and hyperactivity is considered controversial since the Nutrition Foundation conducted seven studies that found that the elimination of artificial chemicals does not reduce hyperactivity. However, removing artificial chemicals is not harmful and might be worth a try. Foods labeled organic lack the artificial preservatives and other additives found in other foods. Parents can read food labels to determine whether they contain harmful additives.

What to Eat

• Hyperactive children should consume less sugar, since sugar can create sugar rushes that can cause hyperactivity. Consuming foods high in protein and fiber can slow the release of sugar in the child's body. Omega 3 fatty acids can have a calming effect on children and are good for their brains. Increasing fish intake can increase the amount of omega 3 in the body. Deficiencies in zinc and magnesium can be corrected by consuming more nuts, seeds and whole grains. Food high in zinc are pumpkin seeds, yeast, brown rice, peanuts, beans and potatoes. Foods high in magnesium are beans, broccoli, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, soy milk, spinach and tofu.