 
INCREASE PROTEIN INTAKE
Attention Deficit & Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
is a complex multifaceted neuro-biological disorder. As a medical
disorder, biological interventions are the most effective treatments.
After many years of studying the metabolic abnormalities
of ADHD, we have found that the ratio of macro-nutrients - protein,
carbohydrates and fats is critical for understanding and treating
problems of attention, hyperactivity and impulse control. A large
majority of ADHD children and adults are "Carbo-Addicts."
They are consuming primarily breads, flour products, cereal and
pasta and are severely limiting the intake of vital nutrients, protein
and fat.
Every child, every human being is metabolically unique.
The foundation of Comprehensive Psychiatric Resources is determining
the unique metabolic need for the individual not the disorder. However,
after treating thousands of people with ADHD there are some general
recommendations that can be extremely helpful. Please note that
every individual has different dietary requirements. Dietary guidelines
should, ideally, be tailored to specific needs based on the results
of blood chemistry and fatty acid tests.
The following recommendations are based on current
scientific literature and extensive clinical experience:
-
Protein should be eaten at every meal, including breakfast.
-
Vegetables, raw and cooked can be eaten at any time.
-
Fats and oils should be added generously to the diet.
-
High quality fats such as unrefined cold pressed oils, need
to be included daily. (Sesame, sunflower, safflower, olive)
-
Fruits should be limited to afternoons and evenings.
-
Grains, flour products, bread and potatoes should be limited.
-
Avoid sugar, white flour and fruit juice.
-
Water should be consumed before meals and 1-2 hours after
meals. A minimum of six large glasses per day, ten is preferable.
-
The use of margarine or hydrogenated fats
should be eliminated. Ideally our diet should be comprised
of natural, organically grown fruits and vegetables and organic
dairy and animal products (i.e.: that are not treated with
chemicals or hormones). Whether you choose to pursue these
changes in your diet is an individual choice. The decision
to decrease carbohydrate intake for ADHD is one relatively
simple step that may have significant effects.
|
 |
|
