What is ADHD [attention deficit hyperactivity disorder]?
This disorder generally provides the sufferer [child, teen or adult] who has it with a lack of:
* the ability to pay attention
* trouble focusing on any specific task
* difficulty in remaining still
Other symptoms linked with ADHD are impulsiveness, negativity, moodiness, anxiousness, depression and insomnia [having trouble sleeping].
Sadly there is no real cure for this condition, it can be controlled however with medication and behavioral therapy. Though the researches done on ADHD diets have been limited, many of our health experts believe that by playing around with the patients diet, and by introducing and excluding certain foods, the symptoms of ADHD can be relieved to a certain degree.
Important Nutrition for ADHD
* high protein – the patient has to increase his protein intake [in the morning and as after school/work snacks] as this aids the improvement of their concentration and possibly also gives the medication a longer action time. This includes eggs, cheese, beans, nuts and meat.
* avoid simple carbohydrates – candy, sugar, potato chips, etc. as much as possible. Difficult with children as they tend to live for these types of foods.
* increase the omega 3 fatty acid intake – whether by increasing the fish intake, like tuna or salmon, or by taking it in a supplement form, this is a very important fat in any diet.
* complex carbohydrates – found in vegetables and some fruits [oranges, pears, apples, kiwi etc], these need to be increased as it is believed that these complex carbo’s may help with sleep.
