ADD/ADHD

Nutritional Protocol for ADD/ADHD Patients

Suggested readings:

The Feingold Cookbook (Dr. Benjamin Feingold)

Why your Child is Hyperactive (Dr. Benjamin Feingold)

Plan of action:

Keep a food daily journal until new eating patterns are established.

Make sure to read the food labels and know alternate words for the same chemical or product.

Call ahead to a restaurant to make sure that their menu offers meals without contraindicated ingredients. Be patient and understand that change takes time.

Dietary considerations:

Eat as natural as you can, buy whole foods, cook at home using mostly plant-based foods. Use healthier oils, such as olive or coconut as opposed to canola or vegetable. Avoid all synthetic (artificial) food colorings; these are colorings that are made from petroleum. Most are made from petroleum; some are made by other means, and have not been studied like those that are made of petroleum. But it is a sound practice for ADD/ADHD patients to eliminate any and all artificial coloring. Along with that, eliminate all artificial flavors and added preservatives. Also do not consume any artificial sweeteners, which have been show to have a harmful affect on the nervous system. (ADD/ADHD is a neurological disorder) Limit animal based foods, this is a suggestion for all people, not just those with this condition, the benefits and been shown to be grand. I usually suggest that there may be three meals a week that animal products can be used, the rest of the meals should be prepared using only plant-based foods. Avoid all Dairy products, J. Robert Cade M.D., and the developer of Gatorade, researched and studied the effect of Beta-casomorphin-7 (milk’s major protein) and found that it has a negative effect which is negatively synergistic with those who already had neurological disorders. Limit egg consumption. When eating grains, eat only whole grains, such as whole grain pasta and brown rice, avoid anything that is “refined.” Obviously if there is a gluten intolerance or celiac disease then grains should not be consumed. Lastly, initially eliminate all salicylate containing foods. A list can be found on the internet of foods that contain salicylates. These foods do not always have to be avoided, this will be discussed later. A list of the more common salicylate containing food is included. Random foods to avoid are: apple cider vinegar, bacon, butter, candy, catsup, chocolate, corn, soy, carbonated drinks, and drinks for concentrate.

Supplement considerations:

Patients should be on a multi-vitamin and multi-mineral. Make sure that they are high quality and do not contain any of the contraindicated items as mentioned in the “dietary considerations” section. A high quality probiotic, such as the one offered by innate choice, or one with similar contents. Daily CoQ10 supplements should be taken. Take three grams of ultra purified fish oil as a source of omega 3 essential fatty acid daily. If unable to consume fish, use flax seed at a higher dose. Folic acid, B-complex, vitamin C, should also be supplemented, unless the multi-vitamin contains a sufficient amount. Keep in mind that the RDA’s are not the amount needed for optimal effect/health, but are the minimum amount to avoid a deficiency that would lead to disease. At bedtime take magnesium and calcium for its calming effect.

Herbal considerations:

St. John’s wort has been shown to have a positive affect on those with ADD/ADHD, especially those who also deal with mild depression associated with their condition. Gingko biloba increases blood flow to the brain and has been shown to increase brain function and concentration. Others that have shown a positive affect are: valerian root extract, catnip, gotu kola, hops, kava kava, lemon balm, licorice, oats, passionflower, skullcap, thyme, wood betony. With all herbs, follow warnings, such as whether or not to use while pregnant and others indications.

Lifestyle considerations:

Just like artificial flavors, preservatives, and colorings are to be avoided in food, they are also to be avoided in other commonly used products. These included but are not limited to toothpaste, mouthwash, skin care products (lotion, soap, shaving cream, ect.), perfumes, cough drops, lozenges, hair care products. Have silver [mercury] amalgam oral fillings replaced with composite resin fillings which do not contain mercury.

Plan of action concerning salicylates:

Salicylate containing foods are not bad for those with ADD/ADHD per se. The goal is to find out if the patient has an adverse reaction to any of these foods. So what is done is a complete elimination for a period of four weeks. During that time regular detoxification via foot baths and saunas should be utilized. After the four week detoxification from salicylate containing food, one food at a time is reintroduced. Reintroduce the food; one at a time, for a three day period, if there are no negative reactions, then that food is able to be part of the normal diet again. Then move on to the next food. If at anytime there is an adverse reaction to a reintroduced food, then that food should be avoided on a permanent basis.

Common foods containing salicylates:

apples, almonds, grapes, apricots, berries, cherries, cloves, coffee, cucumbers, nectarines, oranges, peaches, pickles, plums, prunes, raisins, tangelos, tangerines, tea, tomatoes. There are many more, the internet can provide a more complete list.

Research considerations:

Many of the above considerations follow suit with the Feingold program. The Feingold program was said to have “NO VALID SCIENTIFIC SUPPORT”, in 1973, by the Nutrition Foundation, whose members include Dow Chemical, Coca Cola and others who make and use the products that Feingold removes in his program. Since then many other studies have been done and have shown that at least 70% of those with ADD/ADHD has a positive response to the removal of that mentioned above. The most recent of these studies was concluded in 2007 that correlated the artificial colorings have negative interactions with those with ADD/ADHD.

Last thought:

ADD/ADHD is a neurological disorder. The diet will have a great effect on the condition of the body as a whole and with direct and indirect affects as to the function of the brain. However, other considerations are very necessary, such as, chiropractic adjustments to stimulate various areas of the CNS, and correct structural imbalances. Certain activities to farther develop the frontal lobe of the brain, such as cross crawl activities and being actively engaged in projects outside the home, these could included building a tree house, planting a garden, or just working/playing outdoors. Also there should be careful consideration of home schooling, an ADD/ADHD individual is not less intelligent or slow then others. For the most part it is just the opposite. However most school systems do not teach or have programs that are meant to work with and not against the learning methods of those with this disorder.