Vitamins that can Cure

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

(ADHD)

Date Submitted: September 19, 2009

Submitted by: Cherie Mae A. Orobia

Student Nurse

Submitted to: Asst. Prof. Florenda Cabatit

Clinical Instructor

Article
Some children with ADHD have lowered levels of magnesium. In a preliminary,
controlled trial, children with ADHD and low magnesium status were given 200 mg of
magnesium per day for six months. Compared with 25 other magnesium-deficient ADHD
children, those given magnesium supplementation had a significant decrease in
hyperactive behavior.

In a double-blind study, children with ADHD who received 15 mg of zinc per day for six
weeks showed significantly greater behavioral improvement, compared with children
who received a placebo.16 This study was conducted in Iran, and zinc deficiency has
been found to be quite common in certain parts of that country. It is not clear,
therefore, to what extent the results of this study apply to children living in other
countries.

In a double-blind study, supplementation with L-carnitine for eight weeks resulted in

clinical improvement in 54% of a group of boys with ADHD, compared with a 13%
response rate in the placebo group. The amount of L-carnitine used in this study was
100 mg per 2.2 pounds of body weight per day, with a maximum of 4 grams per day. No
adverse effects were seen, although one child developed an unpleasant body odor while
taking L-carnitine. Researchers have found that this uncommon side effect of L-carnitine
can be prevented by supplementing with riboflavin. Although no serious side effects
were seen in this study, the safety of long-term L-carnitine supplementation in children
has not been well studied. This treatment should, therefore, be monitored by a
physician.

A deficiency of several essential fatty acids has been observed in some children with
ADHD compared with unaffected children. One study gave children with ADHD evening
primrose oil supplements in an attempt to correct the problem. Although a degree of
benefit was seen, results were not pronounced. In a 12-week double-blind study,
children with ADHD were given either a placebo or a fatty-acid supplement providing
daily: 186 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), 480 mg of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA),
96 mg of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), 864 mg of linoleic acid, and 42 mg of arachidonic
acid. Compared with the placebo, the fatty-acid supplement produced significant
improvements in both cognitive function and behavioral problems. No adverse effects
were seen. In a preliminary trial, supplementation with approximately 400 mg of
flaxseed oil and 25 mg of vitamin C, each twice a day for three months, was associated
with an improvement of symptoms in children with ADHD.

In a preliminary study of women in Italy, iodine deficiency severe enough to cause

hypothyroidism during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of ADHD in
their children. Women who are contemplating pregnancy or who are pregnant should
get adequate amounts of iodine in their diet and should discuss with their healthcare
provider whether iodine supplementation is appropriate.

Iron status, as measured by the serum ferritin concentration, was significantly lower in a
group of children with ADHD than in healthy children. Ferritin levels were below normal
in 84% of the children with ADHD, compared with 18% of the healthy children. Since
iron deficiency can adversely affect mood and cognitive function, iron status should be
assessed in children with ADHD, and those who are deficient should receive an iron
supplement. In a case report, a young boy with both ADHD and iron deficiency showed
considerable improvement in behavior after receiving an iron supplement.

B vitamins, particularly vitamin B6, have also been used for ADHD. Deficient levels of
vitamin B6 have been detected in some ADHD patients. In a study of six children with
low blood levels of the neurotransmitter (chemical messenger) serotonin, vitamin B6
supplementation (15–30 mg per 2.2 pounds of body weight per day) was found to be
more effective than methylphenidate (Ritalin®). However, lower amounts of vitamin B6
were not beneficial. The effective amount of vitamin B6 in this study was extremely
large and could potentially cause nerve damage, although none occurred in this study.
A practitioner knowledgeable in nutrition must be consulted when using high amounts
of vitamin B6. High amounts of other B vitamins have shown mixed results in relieving
ADHD symptoms.

Summary

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity D isorder (ADHD) is a cognitive and behavioral

disorder. This is a common behavioral disorder that affects an estimated 8% to 10%
of school-age children. Boys are about three times more likely than girls to be
diagnosed with it, though it's not yet understood why. Kids with ADHD act without
thinking, are hyperactive, and have trouble focusing. They may understand what's
expected of them but have trouble following through because they can't sit still, pay
attention, or attend to details.

Several experiments show that children with ADHD have low level of several
vitamins like magnesium, zinc, L-carnitine, several essential fatty acids
(eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), gamma-linolenic acid
(GLA), linoleic acid and arachidonic acid), B vitamins, particularly B6 and to
pregnant women who has iodine deficiency severe enough to cause hypothyroidism
can have a child with ADHD.

For several months, they studied and give the children supplements to
normalize the level of the said vitamins and menials that they are deficient. After
several months or weeks, the child improved his cognitive ability and behavior.
However, some of the children developed some side effect like body odor when they
were supplemented with L-carnitine. Since they were not sure of the long-term
safety of the child, they stopped they supplementation of L-carnitine, although it’s
effective.

To sum it up, certain vitamins and mineral deficiency can cause ADHD. Since
prevention is better than cure, while the child is still a fetus or in his/her mother’s
womb, the mother should have proper and nutritious diet. Proper and healthy diet
should also be given to all children to prevent ADHD.

Reaction

A child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD) is such a great

challenge to the people surrounding him or her because of the fact that he/she is
very much difficult to control and to make him/her behave seems like impossible.
However, experiments or researches on how to cure thee children should be given
accreditation and should be acknowledgement.

Although in my own point of view, it should be that the safety of the child
must be prioritized that the outcome of the experiment. They should first study the
drug or supplements they give before they let the children engage in the said
experiment.
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