A recent AJ Psychiatry reported a meta review of studies of non pharmacological interventions for ADD or ADHD in children. I was surprised that elimination of artificial food coloring showed a small positive effect. This was thought to be limited to a small group of children who had food sensitivities, and maybe to non FDA approved colorings.
I was less surprised that omega 3 fatty acid (and the like) showed some small benefit.
There was no support for other food restriction approaches.
There were some problems with the overall study and the results it reported, but it’s good that these things are being researched..
I hope to post some additional scientific results soon.
doug
see michelles comment on effect of stimulants on “normal” brain clik
- is he making a mistake??
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We found at recently that my sister’s son, who was struggling at school and with sleep, has a condition called pyroluria. This means that he does not absorb zync and vitamin B6. I had my slightly autistic son of 7 tested shortly afterwards, and guess what, he’s got the same. I’ve done a bit of research and it turns out that there are strong indications that many people with ADHD and autism suffer from pyroluria. The cure is zync and B6 supplements, so it’s actually quite simple to deal with. Any comments from the experts?
Pierre
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pierre-
this is totally new to me!! i hope it works out, that would be great! i actually take zn and b6 supplements. maybe they’re working? but if the problem is not absorbing, then how do the supplememtns work? does it have to be extra big doses?
anyway, please make a note to give us a follow up on theses kids.
thank you for commenting
doug
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turning-
i think we all tend to grasp at straws, and that it is hard to change opinions simply with evidence and facts.
thank you for commenting
doug
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Thanks for sharing this! I have often had to dispel the diet myth with parents I work with that ADHD can be cured by diet or that eliminating sugar, caffeine, food dyes, etc etc is an effective way to manage ADHD for all kids who have it because there is no scientific basis for it. I am happy to see that there is real research going on that may provide more insight into how diet impacts ADHD.
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