ADHD eating habits for kids investigated in Dutch research

Proving that diet may have an impact on the conditions of ADHD has been elusive. Researchers in the Netherlands published a study Thurs on the subject. They found that eating habits had an impact on some kids as far as improving their ADHD condition. But attention deficit hyperactivity disorder experts question the study and say moms and dads of ADHD kids can’t rely on eating habits alone to mitigate the disorder.

The way the ADHD diet research turned out

There can be an easier solution to ADHD than medication, The Lancet published a research explaining on Thurs. This would be an elimination diet that would be tried. ADHD conditions were reduced 64 percent in children in a research done by Dutch scientists that took away all food that would normally trigger food allergies. Rice, white meat and vegetables are all in the ADHD diet that 41 children got for five weeks straight. Enhancement was demonstrated in 32 of the kids. The ADHD conditions were lessened. The majority of the kids relapsed in the second stage which was where ADHD trigger-foods were given. There was not any reduction in hyperactivity in the control group of kids that had a standard healthy diet.

Listening to what Pediatricians have to say about it

Scientists think that when treating children for ADHD, it may be good to use an elimination eating habits considering the ADHD eating habits study. Much of the pediatricians don't agree though. They say that it is not worth trying the diet out. An ADHD diet could also make kids subject to nutritional deficiencies. Often, kids with allergies will show ADHD behavior. That led the pediatricians to think the improvements had to do with allergies more than anything else. Other pediatricians questioned the methodology of the ADHD study, which had no independent observers.

Allergy link to ADHD

Processed foods high in sugar have long been suspected as ADHD triggers, but according to the National Institute of Mental Health, no concrete evidence supports that assumption. Several think that food allergies may have a brain chemistry reaction rather than physical effects like asthma, skin rashes and diarrhea that other kids get. However, since the Dutch research only lasted five weeks, it couldn’t definitively answer those questions or specify which foods should be avoided. As far as a “standard” of care for ADHD, most pediatricians believe it all depends on the individual child.

Articles cited

CNN

pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2011/02/03/does-adhd-come-from-foods/?npt=NP1

ABC News

abcnews.go.com/Health/Allergies/adhd-food-allergy-case-restricting-diet/story?id=12832958&page=3

Business Week

businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/healthday/649603.html