“A negative side effect with pharmaceutical grade stimulants is the issue of dependence; ADHD individuals will constantly be dependent on medications and the dosages would have to be increased as the tolerance increases in order to reach optimal effects.” (7)
Other therapies for symptoms of ADHD include meditation, yoga, listening to music, and behavioral therapy (for children and their parents). (8) Additionally, clinical findings show that people with ADHD benefit tremendously from participating in sports and often excel, due to their predilection toward compulsive physical activity. Furthermore, anxiety that sometimes accompanies ADHD can be drastically offset with exercise. (9)
Impact of Nutrition on ADHD
A 2014 study found that people with ADHD often are deficient in vitamin D, ferritin (a blood protein that contains iron), magnesium, and zinc. These nutrients, researchers explain, perform critical roles in neurologic function, including neurotransmitter synthesis.
“Many symptoms of ADHD are addressed with behavioral therapy and medications; however, even with combined treatments, one-third of patients are still symptomatic. Currently there is no evidence to support supplementation as a monotherapy for the treatment of ADHD, however, supplementation may improve medication response and overall well-being, especially in those with deficiencies. Although it is not definitively clear the percentage of children presenting with symptoms of ADHD who have nutrient deficiencies, the existing literature suggests that a subgroup of children with ADHD are at risk for nutrient deficiencies which may play a role in symptomology.” (10)
Here’s how each of these nutrients affects people with ADHD:
Iron
Iron is necessary for the synthesis of certain neurotransmitters, which is how this mineral comes into play in the context of ADHD. Various research results have shown a correlation in regard to iron deficiency in children with ADHD. (11, 12)
The blood protein ferritin is an indicator of the body’s iron stores. For some children, supplementation with ferrous sulfate was found to reduce the symptoms of ADHD, especially in children who experience “restless leg syndrome” (which can also be a by-product of magnesium deficiency).