ADD and Diet

The Basics of Good Nutrition
and Its Effects on ADD

To better understand the relationship between ADD and diet, let's examine the basic foods that we need as humans in order for our metabolic and nervous systems to operate at peak levels. There are specific roles that proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and vitamins and minerals play in our overall well being. The following descriptions summarize the important roles played by each of these major food categories.

Carbohydrates. The primary role of the carbohydrates we consume is to provide a ready source of energy for all of our bodily functions. The brain uses 20% of the carbohydrates required by the body - it is always hungry for an energy supply to feed the neurotransmission processes. However, for optimal brain performance, a steady, constant supply of carbohydrates is required. To understand ADD and diet for the best nutritional support to manage ADD symptoms, it is useful to understand the difference between simple and complex carbohydrates and how they affect the processes in the body. Simple sugars stimulate the pancreas to secrete higher levels of insulin into the bloodstream, causing the rapid absorption of the sugars into the cells. This is the effect we refer to as a "sugar high." The consumption of simple sugars can contribute to the behavioral ups and downs that we characterize as ADD/ADHD. In the relationship between ADD and diet, foods with complex carbohydrates cause the pancreas to secrete lower levels of insulin into the bloodstream, and the sugar is absorbed more slowly and over a longer period of time into the cells of the body and brain. The consumption of complex carbohydrates allows a smoother functioning of the body and brain processes and is seen outwardly as calm and organized behavior.

Proteins. Neurotransmitters are the chemical messengers which communicate between the cells of the brain and the nervous system and are responsible for the efficient operation of the brain, including optimal concentration, moods and our related behaviors. The key neurotransmitters include seratonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. Unlike the cells of the brain which thrive on carbohydrates for energy, the neurotransmitters require the consumption of good proteins. In this case, some proteins will speed up the brain (those including the amino acid L-tyrosine) and some proteins will sedate the brain (those including the amino acid L-tryptophan). In the relationship between ADD and diet, a mixture of the two types of protein seem to provide the optimal balance for brain performance.

Fats. Fats also play an important role in optimal nutrition and brain functioning. Parents should not consider fats to be off limits to their children based on the recent emphasis on low fat eating. In fact, children who are deprived of the necessary healthy fats will show poor growth and impaired mental functioning. Fats are key to protecting and regenerating the cells of the brain and provide a protective covering around each nerve cell (the myelin sheath). There is, however, an important distinction between healthy fats and not so healthy fats. The "bad" fats are the "hydrogenated" and "partially-hydrogenated"fats. These fats are not naturally occurring and are synthesized to provide an inexpensive flavoring in many foods. They will enter the bodily systems as fats, competing with healthy fats to perform the necessary brain and nervous system functions, but they are unable to perform the required metabolic functions. The important fats for ADD and diet health include those which are naturally occurring, including fats from vegetables and seafood, such as vegetable oils, salmon, tuna, nuts, soybeans, avocados and flaxseed.

Vitamins and Minerals. Vitamins and minerals play an important role in maintaining our good health. Each of the many vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, amino acids and other dietary compounds that are found in a well-planned, natural, and balanced diet plays a unique role in the optimal functioning of the human biochemical system. Some of these work to build cells, others support nerve and brain cell transmissions, still others are required for muscle function, some play key roles in maintaining our immune system, and on and on. Each aspect of human metabolic functioning is supported by an intricate and inseparable interplay of vitamins, minerals, and other dietary compounds. Many of us today, however, have dietary habits which fall woefully short of the ideal dietary regimen described above. For ADD and diet success, the use of a balanced program of nutritional supplementation can make up for the ills of our dietary habits.

In summary, the relationship between ADD and diet should be seen as a powerful, and yet readily manageable, aspect of Attention Deficit Disorder. By changing our dietary habits to follow the rules for overall good health, we can utilize this relationship between ADD and diet to dramatically improve focus while reducing hyperactivity and inattention.

Nature's Plan for ADD Success
We recommend a nutritional approach that provides fast, natural and healthy results for all types of ADD and ADHD. Based on a unique mix of vitamins, minerals, and nutritional supplements, this program helps children, teens and adults significantly improve concentration, focus & attention levels while reducing hyperactivity. Learn more today!

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