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Dietary interventions and supplements for managing Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A systematic review of efficacy and recommendations
Children’s behavior, social relationships, academic achievement, and brain development are all significantly impacted by attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This systematic review by Abhishek et al. (2024) examines the effectiveness of dietary interventions (including the DASH diet, Vitamin D3 supplementation, magnesium, the impact of artificial food colors, and marine oils) alongside standard pharmacotherapy in managing ADHD symptoms. The review follows the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and includes studies published between 2016 and 2022. After screening 7873 records, 14 randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria. The review suggests that gluten-free diets may reduce ADHD symptoms, even in the absence of celiac disease, indicating a potential role for non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Vitamin and mineral supplements, including Vitamin D and magnesium, showed varying levels of effectiveness in improving emotional and behavioral symptoms. Other treatments, such as combining saffron with methylphenidate or using marine oil extracts, also appeared promising in enhancing behaviors related to ADHD. The review emphasizes the potential of dietary approaches, like the DASH diet and specific food exclusions (e.g., a few foods diet and oligoantigenic diet), in managing ADHD by addressing nutritional factors. Mixed findings from studies on probiotics and gut microbiota therapies indicate the need for more investigation. Limitations of the studies include their diversity and short-term outcome measures, which caution against broad conclusions. The authors conclude that personalized dietary assessments and interventions could enhance ADHD treatment and possibly reduce reliance on pharmacological therapies. The potential benefits of dietary modifications and supplements in managing ADHD symptoms are highlighted in this systematic study. Future studies should focus on the long-term effectiveness, the interaction with conventional medications, and personalized dietary strategies to improve ADHD treatment plans. [NPID: Artificial food color, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, diet therapy, Feingold diet, vitamin-d]
Year: 2024
