Nutritional supplements for adhd treatment

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Recent research demonstrated there may be promising results for improving symptoms of ADHD by utilizing nutritional supplements such as: 

1) omega-3 fatty acids

2) zinc

3) iron 

4) magnesium

5) Pycogenol 

6) ningdong (Please Note: ningdong contains human placenta and its use is highly controversial in the United States, yet it is widely used to treat ADHD in China.  There is no available data on the long-term safety of ingesting human placenta). 

Contrary to popular belief, research does not support a reliable link between restricting sugar intake in children and reducing symptoms of ADHD.  (However, in my opinion there are still many other health reasons to minimize children’s sugar intake compared to the child’s total daily calorie consumption).  Research has also not found ginkgo biloba or St. John’s Wort to be effective supplements to reduce symptoms of ADHD. 

It appears that for parents who wish to seek non-medication treatment for symptoms of ADHD, a few dietary supplements may provide some answers.  It may be worth the effort to explore these options to see if they may be right for your family.  Of course, it is always a good idea to consult with a qualified nutritional expert when implementing any dietary changes.