Did you ever wonder where the phrase “pay attention” came from? It could have emerged as “pay the cost of some mental energy” or “giving attention to something”. For most people, that is not a difficult task to accomplish but for many, especially young children, it can be an extremely frustrating thing to ask. It is a well-established fact that attention disorders are on the rise. What is less well established is how best to approach treatment. 

Attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly diagnosed behavioral disorder of childhood.  An n estimated 7 million (11.4%) U.S. children aged 3–17 years have ever been diagnosed with ADHD, according to a national survey of parents using data from 2022 according to the CDC website.

The core symptoms of ADHD include inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Although many people occasionally have difficulty sitting still, paying attention, or controlling impulsive behavior, these behaviors are so persistent in people with ADHD that they interfere with daily life. Symptoms generally appear before the age of 7 and cause significant functional problems at home, in school, and various social settings. One- to two-thirds of all children with ADHD (somewhere between 1% and 6% of the general population) continue to exhibit ADHD symptoms into adult life.

Numerous factors such as diet, allergies, toxicities, genetics, environment, brain chemistry, and other factors have been shown to play a role. As a result, treatment options vary greatly. A non-traditional approach would include looking at a person’s diet and incorporating dietary supplements and would address things such as nutritional deficiencies rather than treating the behavior. 

Conventional treatment revolves around behavioral modification or the use of medications. Medication can help children manage their ADHD symptoms in their everyday life and can help them control the behaviors that cause difficulties with family, friends, and at school. 

Several different types of medications are FDA-approved to treat ADHD in children as young as 6 years of age:

• Stimulants are the best-known and most widely used ADHD medications. Between 70-80% of children with ADHD have fewer ADHD symptoms when taking these fast-acting medications.
• Nonstimulants were approved for the treatment of ADHD in 2003. They do not work as quickly as stimulants, but their effect can last up to 24 hours.

Medications can affect children differently and can have side effects such as decreased appetite or sleep problems. One child may respond well to one medication, but not to another.

If you would like to consider an alternative option, you may want to start with what we put in our mouths. Often an unhealthy diet lacking nutrients and may contain allergens which can be a source of the problem.  A modified elimination diet eliminates the most allergenic foods from our diet, including; sugar, wheat, eggs, dairy, soy, and corn. Most patients see a marked improvement within 3 to 4 weeks of implementing the diet if food is an issue. I realize that this can be a significant overhaul for many and maybe not even possible, but it is an option. 

When looking at dietary supplements, I like to start foundationally, with healthy fats, especially the brain healthy omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA. It only makes sense, especially considering the brain is approximately 60 percent fat. Deficiencies of omega-3 fatty acids have been linked to a number of developmental and learning problems, including ADHD. This has led researchers to investigate whether supplementing with healthy lipids might help some of these problems.

Magnesium is an often overlooked nutrient in children. Symptoms of magnesium deficiency include irritability, decreased attention span, and mental confusion. Mild magnesium deficiency is not uncommon in normally nourished children, and some experts believe that children with ADHD may be exhibiting the effects of mild magnesium deficiency.

In one study of 116 children with ADHD, 95% were magnesium deficient. In a separate study, 75 magnesium-deficient children with ADHD were randomly assigned to receive magnesium supplements in addition to standard treatment or standard treatment alone for six months. Those who received magnesium demonstrated a significant improvement in behavior, whereas the control group exhibited worsening behavior.

Adequate levels of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) are required for normal brain development and are essential for synthesizing essential brain chemicals, including serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. A preliminary study found that pyridoxine was slightly more effective than methylphenidate (the most commonly used stimulant) in improving behavior among hyperactive children.

Zinc regulates the activity of neurotransmitters, fatty acids, and melatonin, all of which are related to the biology of behavior. Two separate studies found that children with ADHD have significantly lower blood zinc levels than children without ADHD. Another study indicated that ADHD children with mild zinc deficiency might be less likely to improve from a commonly prescribed stimulant than children with adequate zinc levels. 

Taking a good multivitaminis always helpful to fill in the gaps created by our diet. Still, it can also provide necessary B6 and zinc if a deficiency in one of those leads to attention issues. 

Although melatonin supplementation probably has no direct effect on the primary symptoms of ADHD, it may be effective in managing sleep cycle disturbances in children with a variety of developmental disorders, including ADHD.

If you are currently taking medications, the above recommendations are options that can be used in conjunction with the current medical care you are receiving from your practitioner. They are non-toxic options that can easily be implemented with your current treatment protocol.

Please stop in or call the pharmacy if you would like further information on ways to help with attention disorders naturally. You can access this and other articles on our website at irsfeldpharmacy.com. 

Until next time, be vigilant about your health!!