Diet and ADHD and Emotional Health

I'm frequently asked questions in reference to whether there is a connection between the development of ADHD and diet. Common questions in this regard often revolve specifically around sugar in the diet or additives and colorings - all of which the popular media has suggested might lead to ADHD. From a scientific standpoint there is not any clear connection between diet and the development of ADHD. I would also generalize that there is not any apparent causative connection between diet and the development of other behavioral troubles. There are however some interesting comments that can be made about this subject.

Most children and their behavior are influenced by their diet. There are many instances where diets high in simple sugars and unhealthy foods do seem to affect mood or behavior. I would not doubt this is the case. I see it mostly in kids who don't eat regularly or who consume large amounts of unhealthy foods. Temper, energy level, sleep patterns and desire to be active may be influenced by diet. There may be diet trends that exaggerate symptoms of ADHD but I suspect this is a generic effect. 

I think there's good reason for all children to be on a well balanced and healthy diet. It appears very important to be well hydrated - that often takes much more drinking than we think. It also seems that many children need to have calorie intake every couple hours to maintain their best performance. Many school-age children are not very good about eating a high-quality breakfast - but it is clear that can affect school performance and behavior through the day. Again it's partially what a child eats but also that they do eat and eat with balance.

We are learning about specific diet elements and their influence on the mind. There is evidence to suggest that improving intake of some of the omega fatty acids as well as vitamins B and D can help support mood and memory in adults. I suspect we'll find the same may be true in children.It does not necessarily require megadoses of these vitamins to produce support or improvement. The effect of these vitamins is relatively small in comparison to other more established treatments.

Celiac disease is a fairly common problem in the US population. It is essentially an allergic type response to gluten, a wheat protein. In some individuals it appears that moderate or severe celiac disease can manifest with behavioral symptoms. However I would emphasize that this is probably rare and not the norm. These can be mood or attention problems or somatic symptoms - physical symptoms amplified by stress or anxiety (headache, fatigue, stomachache).

From a brief nutritional standpoint we can mention a few things. It is clear that a lot of "simple" sugars don't provide the best energy for the body. Most children do better with a diet of complex carbohydrates such as grains, etc. Proteins are definitely important for building muscle and brain and support blood sugar and energy at a more even level in the body. We may need to encourage a little higher protein diet for our children. Children, especially younger children, require a fair amount of healthy fats in their diet. Again, I emphasize healthy. This would include things such as dairy fats, Omega fatty acids, nuts and fish oils. It is better to avoid the oils associated with treats, saturated fats and fried and greasy foods.

To recap them: diet is likely very important in supporting behavior and a child's success. However there is very little reason to think that poor diet is solely or primarily responsible for the development of behavioral troubles. It always makes sense to encourage a healthy breakfast and frequent healthy eating throughout the day. This is always should be paired with some exercise and healthy sleep habits. I suggest to consider a multivitamin - potentially one containing vitamins B and D as well as omega fatty acids, DHA or the like.

Finally - I do not believe that there exists any particular supplement or product specifically on the market today to recommend that is "the best" for a child with ADHD or behavioral health concerns. I do worry that our media and society allows for families to be falsely persuaded that there would exist perfect solutions in terms of supplements or vitamins or like. I would always encourage a good conversation with your physician about supplements in childhood. I don't mean to suggest that all are wrong. However there are many products out there that are very expensive and can economically jeopardize a family with promises made that they may not deliver on. These products often take advantage of a strong placebo effect in children.

I hope this is informative!

PS - From a Gospel perspective I see great wisdom in the ideas of moderation in our diets and activities including exercise as taught in the scriptures. This seems to relate just as much to mental health as to physical and spiritual health. Teachings on the Word of Wisdom and Old Testament stories provide examples of how our health is clearly tied to how we eat - fasting included. I also think that idea of moderation should apply as we consider any treatment of emotional health - including diet, supplements and vitamins.