Mineral-vitamin treatment associated with remission in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms and related problems: 1-year naturalistic outcomes of a 10-week randomized placebo-controlled trial

This 2019 article presents the findings of a randomized trial that analyzed the efficacy of a broad-spectrum micronutrient intervention on several psychological outcomes in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The paper aimed to show the effects of the intervention at the 1-year follow-up. Researchers measured the kids’ general function and signs of ADHD, mood, anxiety (at baseline and at 52 weeks post-intervention). Most participants who were maintained on micronutrients were “much” or “very much” better in terms of general functioning, compared to baseline. Whereas general functioning improved in only half of the subjects who switched to antidepressants, and in around 21% of those who discontinued treatment. Those who stayed on micronutrients were more likely to have failed medication treatment in the past. Moreover, the improvements in hyperactivity and anxiety reported by the parents of the micronutrient group were greater than those reported by parents of the medication and no treatment groups. Clinicians also confirmed better general function and mood in the children who received micronutrients. No continued side effects were associated with micronutrients. The most common reasons for stopping micronutrients were cost and number of pills to swallow. To summarize the findings, the children who saw short-term benefits from micronutrients continued to demonstrate positive changes (including improved ADHD symptoms) at the 1-year follow-up with no side effects. Although ADHD symptoms also improved in those placed on medication, the use of psychiatric drugs was linked with poorer mood and anxiety. [NPID: ADHD, attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, micronutrients, nutrients, mood, anxiety, symptoms, intervention, safety]

Year: 2019

Reference: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31343273/