ADHD: It’s The Food, Stupid

[marmar]

from Civil Eats:




ADHD: It’s The Food, Stupid
March 25th, 2011 By Kristin Wartman


Over five million children ages four to 17 have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the United States and close to 3 million of those children take medication for their symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control. But a new study reported in The Lancet last month found that with a restricted diet alone, many children experienced a significant reduction in symptoms. The study’s lead author, Dr. Lidy Pelsser of the ADHD Research Centre in the Netherlands, said in an interview with NPR, “The teachers thought it was so strange that the diet would change the behavior of the child as thoroughly as they saw it. It was a miracle, the teachers said.”

Dr. Pessler’s study is the first to conclusively say that diet is implicated in ADHD. In the NPR interview, Dr. Pessler did not mince words, “Food is the main cause of ADHD,” she said adding, “After the diet, they were just normal children with normal behavior. They were no longer more easily distracted, they were no more forgetful, there were no more temper-tantrums.” The study found that in 64 percent of children with ADHD, the symptoms were caused by food. “It’s a hypersensitivity reaction to food,” Pessler said.

This is good news for parents and children who would like to avoid many of the adverse side effects associated with common stimulant drugs like Ritalin used to treat ADHD—and bad news for the pharmaceutical industry. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that common side effects from the drugs are sleeplessness (for which a doctor might also prescribe sleeping pills) headaches and stomachaches, decreased appetite, and a long list of much more frightening (yet rarer) side effects, including feeling helpless, hopeless, or worthless, and new or worsening depression. But Pessler’s study indicates that up to two-thirds or two of the three million children currently medicated for ADHD may not need medication at all. “With all children, we should start with diet research,” Pessler said.

There are also questions about the long-term effects of stimulant drugs and growth in children. After three years on Ritalin, children were about an inch shorter and 4.4 pounds lighter than their peers, according to a major study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in 2007. A 2010 study in the Journal of Pediatrics disputed these findings, but all the study’s authors had relationships with drug companies, some of which make stimulants. According to Reuters, “The lead author, Harvard University’s Dr. Joseph Biederman, was once called out by Iowa Senator Charles E. Grassley for the consulting fees he has received from such drug makers.” ...............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://civileats.com/2011/03/25/adhd-it%E2%80%99s-the-food-stupid/

[Gman]

1. We always restricted our ADD daughter from anything with red dye

caffeine, and very little sugar. While this definitely helped reduce the symptoms, she couldn't find her rear with two hands in the morning or even 3 in the afternoon without her Adderal.

[Dorian Gray]

7. My Sister in law

is experimenting with that now. Her doctor suggested it. They don't have an official diagnosis on their youngest son right now, but she calls him a "Monster!" Especially if he's had candy/sweets/or certain foods.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

15. You could do some reading on pycnogenol, it is rather benign and protective

all at the same time.

Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2006 Sep;15(6):329-35. Epub 2006 May 13.
Treatment of ADHD with French maritime pine bark extract, Pycnogenol.

Trebatická J, Kopasová S, Hradecná Z, Cinovský K, Skodácek I, Suba J, Muchová J, Zitnanová I, Waczulíková I, Rohdewald P, Duracková Z.

Dept. of Child Psychiatry, Child University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Limbová 1, 833 40 Bratislava, Slovakia.
Abstract

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most common psychiatric disorder in children. Pycnogenol, an extract from the bark of the French maritime pine, consisting of phenolic acids, catechin, taxifolin and procyanidins, has shown improvement of ADHD in case reports and in an open study. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Pycnogenol on ADHD symptoms. Sixty-one children were supplemented with 1 mg/kg/day Pycnogenol or placebo over a period of 4 weeks in a randomised, placebo-controlled, doubleblind study. Patients were examined at start of trial, 1 month after treatment and 1 month after end of treatment period by standard questionnaires: CAP (Child Attention Problems) teacher rating scale, Conner's Teacher Rating Scale (CTRS), the Conner's Parent Rating Scale (CPRS) and a modified Wechsler Intelligence Scale for children.

Results show that 1-month Pycnogenol administration caused a significant reduction of hyperactivity, improves attention and visual-motoric coordination and concentration of children with ADHD. In the placebo group no positive effects were found. One month after termination of Pycnogenol administration a relapse of symptoms was noted. Our results point to an option to use Pycnogenol as a natural supplement to relieve ADHD symptoms of children.

PMID: 16699814

[TBF]

2. There may be some over-diagnosing going on there ...

but obviously what we eat is crucial. We really restrict my daughter's intake of sugar because it's painfully obvious when she's had too much juice or any candy (she does not have ADHD, sugar just does not have a good effect on her).

[SpiralHawk]

3. the k and the r

eom

[dkf]

4. Here is the solution part of the article...

"There are a multitude of credible scientific studies to indicate that diet plays a large role in the development of ADHD. One study found that the depletion of zinc and copper in children was more prevalent in children with ADHD. Another study found that one particular dye acts as a “central excitatory agent able to induce hyperkinetic behavior.” And yet another study suggests that the combination of various common food additives appears to have a neurotoxic effect—pointing to the important fact that while low levels of individual food additives may be regarded as safe for human consumption, we must also consider the combined effects of the vast array of food additives that are now prevalent in our food supply.

In Pessler’s study the children were placed on a restricted diet consisting of water, rice, turkey, lamb, lettuce, carrots, pears and other hypoallergenic foods—in other words, real, whole foods. This means that by default the diet contained very few, if any, food additives."

[Marrah_G]

5. I was put on the "fiengold diet" back in the 70's

I was diagnosed with adhd before it was even called adhd. No preservatives or dyes. The diet didn't work and frankly my memories in regards to it were emotionally painful. It made me feel even more "broken" and "different". I have not so fond memories of bringing my own cake to parties in the 2nd and 3rd grades. Might seem silly now, but back then it was just humiliating.

As an adult with ADHD we live a mostly organic lifestyle and my ADD is the same as ever. The only thing that is different is that over time (40 years) I have learned to control the H part alot more.

Maybe it works for some people and for those who it does help, I am glad.

[Diclotican]

6. marmar

marmar

I disagree.. To have a decent diet can solve some of the problems that peopole with AD/HD/DD have, but can not solve all of the problems.. It tend also to be becouse of genes, and many other things that are not easy to know, or understand.. But you can also LEARN how to live with ADHD/DD, and to a degree solve it that way.. But even tho food can do a lot of good, like less sugar and other stuffs, it can not solve the whole problems. But if you manage to learn to live with it, and to learn how to control it for the most part..Then you also tend to live a good life, with, or withouth ADHD/DD..

Not easy, i know, but for the most part, it is mostly if you can control your temper, your anger, your impulses, and not to say, your "ants in the ass" when it kicks in... Its more easy said than been doing I know also, but you have to control i somehow.. Medication can also solve a lot of the problems, even tho many complain about bi-effects than is worse than ADHD/DD itself.. I know a friend of me, who have ADHD.. He have the medication, but sometimes he shoose not to take it, becouse as he say I get so sleepy and tired from it".. I myself have AD/DD, many of the same problems as AD/HD, withouth the hyperactivity.. Got that diagnose at age 26.. Oh wel, better late than never I guess.. But I manage to live with it, even tho it is not allways easy.. Specially when I get angry, and the AD parts is kicking in.. Then I have to control myself big time to not blow up... And I do have a temper who is rather clear to everyone who picks on me..

Diclotican

[nebenaube]

8. Some of the ADHD and ADD is due to chronic sleep deprivation.

Kids that mouth breath, drool in their sleep and snore need to consult their ENT or Local Sleep Medicine provider to rule out sleep apnea/hypopnea and upper-airway resistance syndrome.

[Maru Kitteh]

17. Sorry but this is a little OCD of mine. The word is breathe. I see it misspelled so often

and I can't figure out why. You take a single breath. You breathe in and out. Kids don't mouth breath - they mouth-breathe or breathe through their mouth.

I now return everyone to your regularly scheduled conversation.

[OwnedByFerrets]

9. Thom Hartmann has written many WONDERFUL

books on the subject. A list of them can be found here. http://www.thomhartmann.com/thom/books

[Patiod]

10. You beat me to it!

I was going to recommend Thom's books because they are so positive and helpful.

I came to Thom first through his books about ADD. Only later did I find out he's a brilliant Progressive thinker!

[OwnedByFerrets]

16. I know this sounds sappy, but Thom is my hero. One of my

favorite things is a signed copy of We the People.

[bemildred]

11. Ya think? nt

[starroute]

12. My son was born with ADHD -- it was not the food

When he was a newborn in the hospital, if I had to leave him in the nursery I could tell from halfway down the hall which one he was. All the other babies would by lying peacefully in the bassinets, wrapped in their baby blankets. He'd have kicked his way out of the blanket and be wedged in sideways at the foot of the bassinet. Every time.

When you pick up most babies they mold themselves to your body and then relax. He'd always be stiff and wiggly and hard to keep hold of. When he was two months old, people would say, "Oh, how alert he is!" -- and at that age it seemed cute, but it meant he was already being hyper.

Food may be able to trigger ADHD symptoms in kids who are borderline, but it is not the cause.

[HuckleB]

13. This headline is far too generalized and dramatic for such a small study, IMO.

Yes, there are several small studies showing that some foods may have an effect on the behavior of children. However, these early studies have not been replicated on the larger scale that is needed to truly make the types of claims that are often made in the media, and that are made in the piece in the OP.

I hope more research in this area is done. However, the Lancet study has many problems, and it should be taken with a grain of salt.

Diet and ADHD: Anything new?
http://pediatricinsider.wordpress.com/2011/02/12/diet-and-adhd-anything-new/

Yes, this response should be taken with a grain of salt, too.

[trotsky]

19. We always have to consider the source.

As noble as the cause of getting people to eat fresher, better foods is, we cannot be so quick to blame food and food alone for a complicated condition like ADD/ADHD.

[hedgehog]

14. "ADHD and Sleep Disorders"

"Does your child with ADHD toss and turn all night long? The reason might be a sleep disorder. In a recent study, researchers said that about half the parents in the study said their child with ADHD had difficulty sleeping. Parents reported that their child felt tired on awakening, had nightmares, or had other sleep problems such as sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome. Another study involving children with ADHD found the children had less refreshing sleep, difficulty getting up, and significantly more daytime sleepiness.

Sleep problems and ADHD seem to go hand-in-hand. Let's find out why."

http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/guide/adhd-sleep-disorders


I came across references to this when I was researching my sleep apnea. It makes sense to e that at least some of the kids diagnosed as ADHD are actually chronically sleep deprived. Compare the behavior we identify as ADHD to any tired, cranky two year old. And what's the #1 treatment for ADHD - the same stimulant used in the military when troops have to be kept awake and alert for long periods!

[RagAss]

18. My guess is Vitamin D deficiency.