Dietary influences in Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: an evidence-based narrative review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31989/ffs.v2i12.992Abstract
Background: A number of nutrients and dietary patterns have been proposed as therapeutic interventions for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a neurodevelopmental disorder prevalent in as many as 5% of school-aged children. Evidence for these claims is inconsistent.
Objectives: To estimate the efficacy of interventions with specific nutrients: vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, and the Mediterranean diet pattern in reducing ADHD symptoms.
Methods: A narrative review of the literature
Results: The interventions considered herein have biological and physiological rationale supporting their proposed use in treating ADHD. Evidence supporting their use is frequently seen in observational studies, but this evidence is less convincing in clinical trials and meta-analyses.
Conclusions: Professional bodies do not recommend these interventions for the general ADHD population in the absence of documented deficiencies. Because the Mediterranean diet prevents chronic disease and promotes general health and wellness, it can be recommended as appropriate for children with ADHD.
Keywords: Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); vitamin D; omega-3 fatty acids; magnesium; iron; zinc; copper; Mediterranean diet
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Authors retain the copyright of their articles and grant the Functional Food Center (FFC) and its journals the right of first publication under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
This license permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, including commercial use, provided the original author(s) and source are properly credited. Authors may post and share their published work freely, provided that the original publication in this journal is acknowledged.
By submitting to this journal, authors confirm that their manuscripts are original, not under consideration elsewhere, and that they hold the necessary rights to grant this license. The Functional Food Center encourages open scientific exchange and allows derivative and extended works, provided attribution to the original publication is maintained.