| The refining and processing done on most foods | | | | blocks of the brain structure and assist the |
| today results in food items that are almost | | | | nervous system with higher intellectual functions |
| completely devoid of all the nutrients and vitamins | | | | like memory and reasoning. Studies show that |
| they are supposed to contain. By the time a food | | | | most children with ADHD also have deficiency in |
| product makes its way to a supermarket shelf, it | | | | omega-3 fatty acids, and many researchers have |
| contains only a small fraction of its nutritional | | | | been successful in treating the disorder with |
| benefits. Although fresh foods and organic | | | | omega-3 fish oil supplements. Look for fish oil |
| produce are still easily available, our fast-paced | | | | supplements with a high EPA-to-DHA ratio, as |
| lifestyles make it difficult for us to spare time to | | | | these are known to be the most effective |
| create meals from scratch using all-natural | | | | among children with ADHD. |
| ingredients. The instant, pre-cooked varieties | | | | Magnesium and calcium |
| available in supermarkets may be a godsend, but | | | | Magnesium and calcium are needed by literally |
| they also contain lots of chemical additives that | | | | hundreds of chemical processes in the nervous |
| outweigh their nutritional benefits. Even worse | | | | system and body. For example, calcium stimulates |
| than microwave dinners are fast food meals from | | | | the production of neurotransmitters, and |
| places like McDonald's, which contain more sodium | | | | magnesium stabilizes energy levels. A deficiency in |
| and oil than any vitamins or nutrients. | | | | these two nutrients is also common among |
| Knowing all this, it's hardly surprising that children | | | | children with ADHD. There are many studies that |
| today experience nutrient deficiencies that lead to | | | | show how magnesium and calcium supplements |
| neurological problems like ADHD. Fortunately, | | | | lead to improved concentration and overall |
| many ADHD experts and nutritionists now | | | | behavior. |
| recognize the link between proper nutrition and a | | | | Iron |
| holistic treatment for the disorder. Although there | | | | An iron deficiency is the most common nutrient |
| are many different diets recommended for ADHD | | | | deficiency around the world, and can account for |
| children, they all share the same basic principles: | | | | a number of chronic health problems. Besides |
| remove all harmful foods that cause food | | | | promoting the production of the neurotransmitter |
| intolerances and unwanted reactions, cleanse the | | | | dopamine and regulating its release, iron also has |
| body of digestive by-products or toxins, and | | | | the ability to neutralize any lead found in the body. |
| correct whatever nutrient deficiencies may be | | | | Among the numerous harmful effects of lead is |
| there. The latter part usually involves replenishing | | | | its capacity to inhibit the production of dopamine |
| the lost nutrients with the following food | | | | and interfere with the work of dopamine |
| supplements. | | | | receptors. Iron counteracts this by providing a |
| Omega-3 fish oil supplements | | | | clear passageway for nutrients to the brain and |
| You'd be hard-pressed to find a child who prefers | | | | guiding the transmissions among brain signals. |
| green leafy vegetables and deep-sea fish to | | | | Make sure a nutritionist tests for an iron |
| French fries and a burger. That's quite a shame, | | | | deficiency in your child before giving any iron |
| because the latter contain hardly any nutritional | | | | supplements; in high doses, iron can actually be |
| value, whereas the former are rich in omega-3 | | | | toxic to the body. |
| fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are the building | | | | |