Nutrition as an ADHD Treatment Alternative: The Remedy May Be in the Kitchen.

Written by Shane Perrault, PhD
  
If you are an Entrepreneur with ADHD, you are probably constantly looking for ways to help yourself focus, control your impulses, and make your company succeed.

Using drugs to treat ADHD should only be used as a last resort, and rarely are the best long term solution.  Among non-drug options for managing ADHD, here are Five proven diet strategies:

 Test for gluten sensitivity:In the general population, only 1% of people are sensitive to gluten. However, research has found the sensitivity rates to be much higher in people with ADHD. Your family doctor can check for gluten sensitivity with a blood test. If you are gluten-sensitive, consider removing glutens from your diet. In some cases this can produce dramatic and almost immediate results. Glutens are found in wheat, rye, and barley.

 Avoid high-mercury fish:Nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of mercury, which can zap your ability to think and concentrate. These potential side effects occur with much lower levels of exposure than for adults. If you have ADHD, you should to avoid high mercury fish. That includes shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tile-fish.

 Add multi-vitamins and Intracellular Vitamin Analysis: While everyone should take a multivitamin, it is especially important people with ADHD. In addition, Intracellular Vitamin Analysis (a test your family doctor can perform), can provide a better idea of exactly which vitamins and minerals you might need to supplement.

 Add DHA supplements: Studies have found that ADHD is much more common in men with low levels of DHA, an omega-3 essential fatty acid that plays a key role in brain function. DHA supplements derived from marine algae, have been found to be quite effective for people with ADHD. Research suggests 400 mg per day are optimal.

 Consider other brain-specific nutrients:Here are five supplements (besides DHA) that should serve as the foundation of an effective ADHD diet: N-acetyl-cysteine, Phosphatidylserine, Alpha lipoic acid, Coenzyme Q-10, and Ginkgo Biloba. All five have been clinically proven to protect the brain and enhance brain function, and I have seen patients enjoy great success using them in my own private practice.

 The Bottom Line
Only your family doctor and you can determine the best way to deal with your ADHD. But these top five nutritional tips may be able to give you the help they need to concentrate and focus more easily and succeed in your business.