Which are the Best ADHD Supplements?

Discovering your child has ADHD can come as a shock for parents, however it can also be a relief, as at least you now know why your child has been behaving as they have. The most popular treatment for ADHD is prescription medications however, you can also adopt a more natural approach and utilize a number of alternative and complementary therapies including supplements. But which is the best ADHD supplements to choose?

With increasing amounts of bad press surrounding stimulant medications and anti-depressant medications that are commonly used to control ADHD behaviors, many parents are looking elsewhere for effective means to calm hyperactivity, improve attention and decrease impulsiveness.

There are foods that can help; following a high protein and low carbohydrate diet can lead to improved concentration in hyperactive kids. Eliminate sugar, foods containing food dye, preservatives and artificial flavorings. Also stay away from fast foods and convenience foods. Instead aim to provide a diet that is full of whole fresh foods.

There are a number of nutritional deficiencies that are contributory factors to ADHD symptoms and one that was identified in a study that is quite common is magnesium. When a person is deficient in magnesium they can display the following symptoms: depression, anxiety, restlessness, and irritability.

Several studies have shown the children with ADHD are also deficient in magnesium. In fact most Americans fail to meet the RDA (recommended daily allowance) of magnesium as the typical diet does not encourage the absorption of magnesium into the body. In studies of ADHD children with magnesium deficiencies; supplementing with magnesium made a significant difference to behaviors.

Supplementing with DMAE (Dimethyaminoethanol) has been shown to increase concentration, improve alertness and memory and also increase attention span. DMAE occurs naturally and is produced in the brain, however it is also found in large quantities in fish and is available as a supplement.

You may also wish to try supplementing with omega-3. A trial consisting of 120 children, aged between 6 – 12 was carried out in Durham, England to assess the effectiveness of omega-3 using fish oils. The children all suffered from dyspraxia (have a hard time planning and carrying out fine motor tasks) and most also had ADHD and/or dyslexia (a reading disability). The children were split into two groups with half receiving fish oil and the other half a placebo. The children in the fish oil group showed significant improvement compared to the placebo group in inattention, hyperactivity and impulsiveness.

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Amino acids are another group of supplements that may help improve ADHD behaviors. Research has indicated that many people with ADHD are deficient in Amino Acids. Amino acids are needed for the healthy functioning of neurotransmitters found in the brain. These neurotransmitters are responsible for concentration, improved memory and aggression.

There are also dedicated ADHD Supplements that are designed to tackle all the ADHD symptoms and many contain the supplements we have talked about here, along with other herbs, minerals and vitamins.

However, supplements are not meant to be substitutes, they cannot have the same benefits of whole foods and vegetables, but they do play a role in bolstering any deficiencies within the body. When it comes to choosing the best ADHD supplements it may take some trial and error before you find the right combination that offers effective relief.