Alternative Treatment
Alternative ADHD Treatments have gained popularity because many people don’t want to risk the side effects of ADHD drugs. Some alternative ADHD treatments options include dietary considerations and nutritional modifications herbal supplements and sensory and behavioral therapies.
Nutrition
There has been much research into nutritional deficiencies - especially with essential fatty acids and amino acids - as a contributing factor of Attention Deficit Disorder and learning deficiencies. Diet modifications include everything from introducing elements like flax seed oil to limiting sugars, eating only organic foods, avoiding all processed foods, dairy products, corn, squash, chocolate, NutraSweet, processed meats, MSG, fried foods, and food colorings. Naturally it is advised to conduct these changes under the supervision of a physician and dietician to chart the efficacy of the changes.
There is no shortage of research on our poor U.S. diet and the increasing use of food additives. As a matter of fact the rise of the organic food movement from the farmer’s markets in the 1970’s to whole sections of supermarkets today, speaks to the groundswell of consumer interest in this issue. Research has demonstrated that children diagnosed with ADHD display several similar characteristics vis a vis nutrition, regardless of their age. These include:
- An almost fanatical sugar or carbohydrate addiction
- Signs and symptoms of rapidly fluctuating blood sugar levels
- An adrenal imbalance
- Multiple food sensitivities
In the 1970s Benjamin Feingold, MD, popularized the concept that ADHD is caused and aggravated by intolerance to food additives and salicylates. The “Feingold hypothesis” made a case for the negative effects of food additives and preservatives in diets of children with ADHD. Naturally these claims have been tested repeatedly and the results are still inconclusive, however a dialogue was opened and lead to other suggested treatments through altered diet.
It is felt that limiting sugar intake and determining food sensitivities can help with childhood ADHD, this approach has not been recognized as a viable stand-alone treatment.
Herbal and vitamin Supplements
The use of herbal medicine and vitamin therapies in the treatment of ADHD is of interest to the many families looking for alternatives to drug therapy. Many of the herbs prescribed mimic the action of the drugs prescribed: they’re stimulants. Here are the most commonly suggested herbal alternatives: Ginkgo Biloba, Brahmi (Bacopa Monniera) Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus Senticosis) Gotu Kola (Centella Asiatica, also Hydrocotyle Asiatica) Green Oats (Avena Sativa). Herbal remedies are ancient, with the Indian medical practice of Ayurveda receiving as much attention lately as have Chinese herbal medicinal approaches.
One of the major herbs cited in most treatments is Ginkgo, which has been in the news for years as adults have used it to purportedly sharpen memory. Ginkgo is thought to increase blood flow to the brain; one study indicated that the combination of ginkgo and American ginseng might treat symptoms of ADHD in some children. Antioxidants are felt to prevent oxidative damage in the brain and nervous system. Antioxidants from pine bark extract (Pycnogenol) and grape seed extract are often recommended for ADHD. Although a small number of parents and adults with ADHD report effectiveness, no current research studies have found them to be effective.
About 25% of children with ADHD seem to have lower serum levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, considered essential fatty acids (EFA’s) because they must be ingested, our bodies do not make them. However, most studies have not found EFA supplements to be of benefit. A recent study did find that a combination of flaxseed oil and vitamin C improved restlessness, impulsivity, and behavior in a significant percentage of children studied, but additional research is needed.
Many people feel that taking very large doses of vitamins or minerals is effective for treatment of ADHD because some children and adults with ADHD have lower levels of minerals like zinc and magnesium, among other things. However, low zinc levels could be related to a poor response to traditional treatment with stimulant medications, but little evidence supports additional zinc will improve this response. There is also little research on the supplemental use of magnesium. A recent study suggested that iron supplements might improve hyperactive symptoms in boys with ADHD, but too much iron can be toxic. Vitamin B6 was reported to be of some benefit in older studies, but those studies need to be duplicated using current diagnostic criteria for ADHD.
Clearly, while these herbs supplements may help with one shortfall or another, their efficacy in treating ADHD as a standalone approach, or even in tandem, has yet to be proven.
Sensory and behavioral therapies
There are a host of sensory related therapies based on the concept of an imbalance or a deficiency of sensory perceptions. These include:
- Vision therapy: Children with undiagnosed vision problems may have problems reading for extended periods, focusing and concentrating on school work, resulting in daydreaming and poor academic skills. The treatment for this is testing and administration of the proper corrective device.
- Auditory stimulation is a method of helping children concentrate by having them listen to music while completing a task.
- Interactive metronome training is based on a study that found using a metronome improved a child’s reading, writing and language skills by focusing concentration on the task at hand.
- Cerebellar Treatment consists of eye, balance and sensory exercises.
Common behavioral treatments are best tried in the context of a psychotherapeutic course of treatment with a therapist or psychologist. The most common approaches to child ADHD include positive reinforcement, time out, response cost, token economy, and all various approaches of modifying behavior through punishment and reward systems.