According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, people who have ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)
will have trouble controlling any behaviors based on compulsive habits, will
not be able to pay attention well, and may have more energy and activity levels
than normal. (CDC)
This disorder is more prevalent in children under the age
of eighteen, however, adults can be diagnosed with the condition as well. ADHD Disease In Children has no cure, but there are numerous
ways to control the condition. If the doctor prescribes medication for your
child, it is important that they take all prescriptions properly. There are
things you can do at home as well.
There are certain foods, vitamins, and supplements that
can actually help fight the symptoms of ADHD. While they cannot cure the
disorder, they can make it much easier for your child to pay attention and sit
still for longer amounts of time. By adding these supplements to a diet, they
will make the patient healthier while working as a complementary treatment to
ease the symptoms of ADHD.
Zinc
There have actually been studies involving children with
ADHD and zinc. These studies show that children with the disorder seem to naturally
have lower zinc levels in their blood. There could be a correlation between the
two and studies have shown that hyperactivity can be lowered when a child takes
zinc supplements regularly. Foods that fight ADHD disease should be high in
zinc.
Protein Rich Foods
Children who suffer from ADHD tend to exhibit more
symptoms when they have blood sugar spikes throughout the day. These spikes can
be caused by foods. They can also be regulated. By choosing foods that fight
ADHD disease and that have plenty of protein because it will actually work to
prevent blood sugar surges by controlling the neurotransmitters in the brain.
To avoid blood sugar spikes, the child needs to avoid
processed carbohydrates, including white bread, pastas, waffles, or pancakes.
Processed carbohydrates turn to sugar almost immediately.
Iron
Children who have ADHD have nearly half the amount of
iron as healthy children naturally. Studies show that increasing the levels of
iron will actually help to decrease symptoms of the disorder incrementally. It
is very important to be careful when using an iron supplement, however, since
an overdose can be toxic. Before giving your child any type of supplement, be
sure to discuss it with your physician.
Additives
Some studies in Europe seem to indicate that artificial
additives (coloring, smell, preservatives, etc.) can actually aggravate the
symptoms of ADHD. It’s hard to determine which foods have additives and which
do not, but the best thing you can do is choose all-natural, unprocessed, fresh
foods. Additionally, avoid anything colorful like cereals and cookies. Choose
100 percent fruit juice instead of fruit punch as well.
Foods that fight ADHD disease can actually be very
helpful at regulating the symptoms of the illness. In fact, there are numerous
studies that show a drastic difference for children who eat the right foods
together with medical routines ordered by the doctor.
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