There is a genetic tendency for children with ADD or ADHD to have neurotransmitter imbalances, particularly dopamine and serotonin imbalances.  A genetic set-up is likely the primary reason your child is struggling with hyperactivity, impulsivity, and/or inattention.  Nutrition is likely another reason. Though considered “controversial”, research is mounting to show that nutrition plays a role in ADD and ADHD.  Research confirms some children diagnosed with ADHD have hyperactivity, impulsivity, and/or inattention from:

What your child eats, matters.  Some may consider it secondary to genetics.  I consider it primary.  We are what we eat.  In fact, cutting-edge research in the field of epi-genetics shows that our genes are adaptable.  Your child’s genetic expression can change depending on their environment.  Nutrition is part of your child's environment.  Diet matters. There’s no way around it.  Every time you feed your child, you can choose to support his or her health.

 

Conventional Treatment
Most children who are struggling with hyperactivity, impulsivity, and/or inattention see me because conventional treatment is not working for them.  Either the educational interventions (tutoring, resource room support, special education services) are not enough, or behavioral interventions (daily schedules, charts and checklists, tool to minimize distractions, rewards for positive behavior) have failed.  Often, these children are on daily medication(s) to modulate neurotransmitters in order to stay on task.

 

An estimated 2.5 million children in the United States take medications for hyperactivity, impulsivity, and/or inattention.

 

Unlike educational and behavioral interventions, psychotropic medications do have serious side effects, including death. In a study led by Dr. Madelyn Gould of the New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, involved 564 children who died suddenly. Those who had been taking stimulant drugs (i.e., amphetamines) were 7.4 times more likely to die of cardiac arrest (sudden death) than those not taking stimulants.  Sudden unexplained death is a rare event, but that doesn’t matter especially if the child who died is your child.

 

“When my doctor gave this to my son, I thought it was a light dose,” said Ann Hohmann, one of a handful of parents across the country who believes that their children’s sudden death was due to the use of drugs to control ADHD.  “I had no idea that it was going to kill him. It ruined our lives. … There was no warning.  When you lose a child, it’s the most devastating thing you could ever, ever go through,” she said. “Something needs to be done.”

 

There’s no doubt that stimulant medication has helped children improve their ADD or ADHD symptoms.  My question is how many of these children could resolve their hyperactivity, impulsivity, and/or inattention if they ate the “right” diet for them and took a few nutritional supplements?

 

“It is astonishing that these drugs are used so widely with children — 5 percent of the school-aged population on a daily basis,” said William Pelham, professor of psychology, pediatrics and psychiatry at the State University of New York at Buffalo. “I suspect that the professional and advocacy groups that continue to ignore the accumulating evidence showing absence of benefit on long-term outcomes will have a more difficult time defending the widespread practice of using stimulants as first line and sole treatment for ADHD in children.”

 

Holistic Treatment
If you are a parent of a child on stimulant medication, and you’re looking for another way out…here are a handful of suggestions:

 

1. Eat REAL Food

What is REAL Food?  Simple, you can pull it from the ground, pluck it from a tree, or find it on a traditional farm.  Guess what? It’s also free of food additives (artificial colors, artificial flavors, preservatives) and refined sugar. Want all the details about the differences between REAL food, fake food and what we call bridging food? See our get REAL with Food Starter Kit.

2. Eat Balanced Meals & Snacks

Your child’s brain is two-thirds fat and neurotransmitters (serotonin, etc.) are made from amino acids, the building blocks of protein.  To nourish your child’s brain, be sure to include high quality fat and protein with every meal and snack. Learn how with a Recipe for a Healthy Meal Chart.

 

3. Eliminate Food Intolerances

Even REAL food can make your child sick, if he is sensitive or allergic to it.  Be sure to have your child tested thoroughly for foods, especially for dairy and gluten (found in wheat, rye, barley and some oats).  See REAL tests for ADHD.

 

4. Improve Your Child’s Digestive Health

Sound strange?  Nothing is wrong with my child’s digestion, why would I do that?  People know their digestive system is responsible for digesting and absorbing their food, but most don’t realize that this sacred process of “digestion” is how we nourish every cell in our body.  Including the cells that make up your child’s nervous system.  Did you know that up to 95% of your child’s serotonin is made in her digestive system?  So you may have more control over your child’s neurotransmitters than you think!  See REAL tests for ADHD to learn more about stool testing to analyze your child’s digestive health.  If you work hard to optimize your child’s digestive health, you can help her overall health including the health of her nervous system.  A great start to a healthy gut is number 1, 2, and 3 above!  In addition, supplement your child with probiotics and add more fermented foods into your child's diet. 

 

5. Add Brain Nourishing Supplements

Your child’s brain is two-thirds fat.  It needs fat to function normally.  Give your child cod liver oil everyday, yes everyday!  The research is overwhelmingly supportive. See Omega Research.

 

The brain also requires minerals to function normally, including magnesium, zinc and iron.  Due to mineral depleted soils, even a diet of REAL food can fall short on minerals.  Be sure to include a high quality vitamin/mineral supplement in your child’s diet as well.