Recently, I had a family member consult me regarding the prescription of medication for her son who has been diagnosed with a "mild form of ADD". The physcian recommended that he be given a low dose of medication to treat his symptoms. Immediately her mother's intuition sparked and she felt that this may not be the best course of action, however, she didn't know what her options were.
Interestingly enough, many physicians may not tell you, but diet plays a huge role in symptomology produced by ADD or ADHD. Many times it is not considered in treatment, but The British Medical Journal stated recently that properly supervised trial eliminating colors and preservatives from the diet of hyperactive children should be considered a part of the STANDARD treatment.
If your child is experiencing symptoms consistent with ADD or ADHD consider the following dietary changes:
1. Eliminate artificial colors and flavors from their diet.
2. Make sure that the child is eating some protein with every meal and
snack. Helps to regulate blood sugar.
3. Eliminate sodas and juices....even natural sugars can cause blood
sugar spikes if the whole fruit is not eaten (the fiber of the fruit
is the important part!).
4. Consider eliminating wheat and gluten from their diet. There are
several links to gluten sensitivity and/or allergy in ADD/ADHD
children.
5. A good quality multivitamin and Omega 3 supplement is a MUST!