The diet factor in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Neurology
• Nutritional Science
• Behavioral Health

Background:

• Pharmacotherapy for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is not always suitable or effective for all children.
• Growing interest exists in complementary and alternative therapies, particularly dietary interventions, for managing ADHD.
• Specific dietary factors like omega-3 fatty acids, iron deficiency, and the "Western pattern" diet are increasingly recognized for their potential impact on ADHD symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of dietary methods for treating ADHD in children.
• To evaluate recent research and controlled studies on diet and ADHD, comparing them with earlier findings.
• To discuss the timely relevance of dietary approaches, including omega supplements and the avoidance of specific diets.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on diets and ADHD, primarily from PubMed.
• Emphasis on recent controlled studies and comparison with previous reports.
• Inclusion of practice experience and current expert opinion in formulating recommendations.

Main Results:

• Dietary approaches for ADHD include sugar restriction, additive/preservative-free diets, elimination diets, and fatty acid supplementation.
• Omega-3 supplements show positive efficacy reports, and additive-free diets are seeing renewed interest.
• A "Western-style" diet high in fat and sugar is linked to ADHD, while a "healthy" diet rich in fiber, folate, and omega-3s is beneficial.

Conclusions:

• Dietary therapy for ADHD is indicated for medication failure, patient/parent preference, iron deficiency, and transitioning from a "Western" to a healthy diet.
• Additive-free and elimination diets are intensive and suitable for select cases.
• Parental education on healthy eating patterns, avoiding ADHD-predisposing foods, is a practical and promising complementary ADHD treatment.