Dietary Changes May Help Control ADHD

10 percent of US children have been diagnosed with ADHD — an increase of almost 25 percent in four years.

Unfortunately, the medicine prescribed to treat ADHD isn’t perfect. It can cause dietary problems and increase the rate of cigarette smoking in the child taking it.

Some doctors have taken a different approach to fixing the problem, and have studied how dietary changes that can help ease symptoms of ADHD.

Here are some of the findings:

–”About 70 percent of children who crave sweets have much more control over their behavior when their food is low in added sugar.”

–Many kids with ADHD have food allergies that contribute to the symptoms. “The foods to which children with ADHD most commonly had allergic reactions were cow's milk (which included milk, cheese, yogurt and ice cream), corn (an additive in many prepared foods), wheat, soy and eggs.”

–Hyperactive children often benefit greatly from the right supplements. If they have dry skin, follicular keratoses, brittle nails, dry and unruly hair, or excessive thirst they probably need essential fatty acids. If they have stomachaches, headaches or muscle pains, or difficulty sleeping they might have a deficiency of magnesium or calcium.

So before you get a prescription for medicine, ask your doctor if making nutritional changes in your child's diet could help.

[Image via AP Images.]

Tags: adhd, kids, nutrition