Micronutrients and diets in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: chances and pitfalls

This 2020 article is centered around the application of diet, supplements, and lifestyle choices in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). More and more studies are suggesting that nutrients, diet, and other lifestyle factors may play a role in the pathophysiology and management of mental disorders such as ADHD. Reduced plasma levels of various minerals, such as magnesium, iron, and zinc have been observed in children with ADHD in several studies. Taking supplements may reduce ADHD symptoms but evidence for this is lacking. This paper discusses the controversial role of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the pathophysiology and therapy of ADHD. A systematic review was conducted on meta-analyses of double-blind placebo-controlled trials, revealing that PUFA supplementation has a small effect on ADHD symptoms. Overall, there is little support for the efficacy of omega-3 PUFA supplementation on the core symptoms of ADHD. But factors such as the mode of administration, type of PUFA, and the ratio of PUFAs may affect the impact of PUFAs. Furthermore, comorbidities of the participants can influence treatment response. There is a high prevalence of comorbid conditions that accompany ADHD. Another possibly important factor in treatment effectiveness is the life cycle at which therapy is initiated. The consumption of high-fat and high-sugar processed food and confectionery during pregnancy may relate to incidence of ADHD symptoms in the child. With regards to lifestyle, there were significantly less diagnoses of ADHD in children with better quality of diet, higher levels of physical activity, and less time spent playing video games. In this paper, the author also discusses the relevance of the gut microbiome and food sensitivities in ADHD. [NPID: ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, attention deficit disorder, diet, lifestyle, supplements, supplementation, gut microbiome, gut bacteria, gut microbes]

Year: 2020

Reference: Lange K. W. (2020). Micronutrients and Diets in the Treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Chances and Pitfalls. Frontiers in psychiatry, 11, 102. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00102

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