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Foods and additives are common causes of the attention deficit hyperactive disorder in children
1North Shore Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, Manhasset, New York.
Insights
Eliminating specific foods and artificial colors significantly improved symptoms in most children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Dietary interventions show promise for managing ADHD, especially in atopic children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Nutritional Psychiatry
- Allergy Immunology
Background:
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder impacting children and families.
- The role of dietary factors, including foods, preservatives, and artificial colorings, in ADHD remains a subject of debate.
- Previous research has yielded controversial findings regarding the impact of diet on ADHD symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of a multiple-item elimination diet on children diagnosed with ADHD.
- To assess the specific food, dye, and preservative triggers in children who responded to dietary changes.
- To evaluate the efficacy of a double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC) in identifying dietary triggers for ADHD.
Main Methods:
- The study included 26 children meeting ADHD diagnostic criteria.
- A multiple-item elimination diet was implemented, followed by open and double-blind placebo-controlled food challenges (DBPCFC).
- Response rates were compared between atopic and nonatopic children with ADHD.
Main Results:
- A significant majority of children (73%) showed favorable responses to the elimination diet (P < .001).
- Open challenges confirmed reactions to various foods, dyes, and/or preservatives in responders.
- DBPCFC in 16 children revealed significant symptom improvement on placebo days versus challenge days (P = .003).
- Atopic children exhibited a higher response rate to dietary interventions compared to nonatopic children.
Conclusions:
- Dietary modifications, specifically the elimination of reactive foods and artificial colors, demonstrate a beneficial effect in managing ADHD symptoms.
- Dietary factors appear to play a significant role in the etiology or exacerbation of ADHD in a substantial proportion of affected children.
- Further research into the complex interplay between diet and ADHD is warranted, particularly considering atopy.
Abstract:
The attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) is a neurophysiologic problem that is detrimental to children and their parents. Despite previous studies on the role of foods, preservatives and artificial colorings in ADHD this issue remains controversial. This investigation evaluated 26 children who meet the criteria for ADHD. Treatment with a multiple item elimination diet showed 19 children (73%) responded favorably, P < .001. On open challenge, all 19 children reacted to many foods, dyes, and/or preservatives. A double-blind placebo controlled food challenge (DBPCFC) was completed in 16 children. There was a significant improvement on placebo days compared with challenge days (P = .003). Atopic children with ADHD had a significantly higher response rate than the nonatopic group. This study demonstrates a beneficial effect of eliminating reactive foods and artificial colors in children with ADHD. Dietary factors may play a significant role in the etiology of the majority of children with ADHD.