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Retrospective outcome monitoring of ADHD and nutrition (Roman): the effectiveness of the few-foods diet in general practice
This 2020 study set out to evaluate the effectiveness of the few-foods diet on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and on oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) since this approach is being applied in the Netherlands. This study analyzed the data of all children who started the few-foods approach in 3 specialized medical facilities. Of the 57 participants, 27 were taking medication and 15 followed some elimination diet at the start. There was no difference in parent-rated behavioral scores between the two subgroups but 78% stopped taking their medication during the few-foods diet. Sixty percent of the subjects were clinical responders (improved in behavior by at least 40%), which indicates that food is a trigger of their ADHD. Most (76%) of these ADHD responders started the reintroduction phase, a stage that identified which foods are responsible for the reactions. Fourteen of the twenty-six participants remained after 6 months of the trial. So, if trained specialists employ the few-foods diet, ADHD and ODD symptoms could be reduced, and can hopefully remove the need for ADHD medication. These findings suggest that some individuals have ADHD that was triggered by diet. Identifying and eliminating the ADHD-inducing foods may represent a secondary form of prevention of food-induced ADHD. Additional research on the underlying mechanism is warranted. [NPID: diet, nutrition, few foods diet, few-foods diet, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADHD, children, elimination diet, foods, prevention, oppositional defiant disorder, ODD]
Year: 2020
