Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder

Unfortunately or fortunately, no major studies have been able to provide any clear scientific evidence to back up the clams that food affects behaviour. We do know that sugar does not cause hyperactivity; it is instead guilty by association. A birthday party or special holiday is often coupled with sugar and the excitement of the moment is often thought to be hyperactivity due to sugar research has found sugar “not guilty”.

• In the 1970’s Dr. Feingold created a diet for ADHD in which there were 300 foods to avoid. Since then, research has found only some of items on the list to have a mild benefit in a small number of children. The problem is that those foods are items that kids really like so it is hard to keep a child on that diet for life. Avoidance of food additives is not believed to be an effective treatment for ADHD but some (5%) do have improved behaviour when these items are avoided: artificial colours and flavours (Red#40, Yellow #5,6, Blue #1,2, Green #3, vanillin and preservatives such as sodium benzoate, BHA, BHT, TMHQ.

We do know that diet and nutrition can affect general mood and behaviour in all people. If you skip meals, blood sugars drop and you become irritable, anxious or moody. Eating too many carbohydrates can make some people sleepy.

• Eating a balanced diet can help all people, including those with ADHD, function well.
  If you have food allergies or sensitivities and ADD or ADHD your symptoms may worsen when you consume the foods you are allergic to.
• The most common food allergens thought to participate in aggravating the symptoms of ADHD if allergic are wheat, dairy, citrus, eggs, corn, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish.
  Note: allergic responses do not cause ADHD as an allergic response is totally unrelated to the nervous system and brain function.

Supplements that show some promise in the treatment of ADHD that we should keep an eye on include:

• Essential Fatty Acids, in particular omega-3
  (shown to have benefit with children who were deficient)
• Vitamin E (typically low in diet)
• Ginko Biloba, lemon balm (more studies needed)

Bottom Line: Focus on healthy eating habits, encouraging a healthy diet including all the food groups and choosing a variety of foods everyday.

Watch for the Eating for Energy segment every Tuesday on BCTV's Noon News Hour!