Good nutrition vital for people with ADHD

In a continuous effort to educate the community on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), the Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Support Group of South Africa (ADHASA) Soweto branch is sharing information with parents on nutrition and brain activity of a child with this condition.

Founder of this Soweto group, Elizabeth Masike is a former professional nurse and is a person who has lived with the condition for most of her life as she and her two sons were previously diagnosed with this disorder.

So to provide support to parents in a similar situation she says parents should ensure they:

• Keep child hydrated as most children get dehydrated because they don’t drink enough water.
• Avoid chlorinated water, sweetened fruit juice and eliminate colas.
• Use glass or stainless steel containers and avoid plastic bottles.
• Glucose is the most important nutrient of the brain but excess sugar damages nerve cells.

Masike says according to research she has done she has discovered that excess white sugar and refined carbohydrates can lead to low IQ, bad behaviour, depression, eating disorders and learning disabilities.

She says parents should make sure they:

• Normalise sugar levels of children by excluding most breakfast cereals, sweetened fruit juice, fizzy drinks, biscuits and high energy sweeteners.
• Eliminate chemicals and preservatives.
• Cut down on bad fats.
• Omega three is a good fat.
• At least have two to three fatty fish meals a week.

According to Masike, symptoms of insufficient good fats that parents should look out for include chronic thirst, dry unmanageable hair, battles soft nails, ear and sinus infection, memory and concentration problems and vision problems.

She says: “Studies show that we are not getting enough nutrients from the food we eat, therefore supplementation should include a well-balanced multivitamin in the morning.  Remember though that supplements do not replace healthy eating, they add to the diet they are not medication.  Parents should also know that there is also a high percentage of children with ADHD are more likely to have food allergies.”

As children with ADHD are mostly always in trouble with their parents, teachers and peers, Masike says this may cause excessive stress which may affect the brain function especially causing forgetfulness in the child.

Masike says adequate sleep is important for brain health of the child as less sleep is a stress to the body.

“A good sleep routine includes regular bed time, low sugar levels and regular exercise. Changing a few things in a life of an ADHD child can prevent the damaging labels, maintain their self-esteem and help them to cope better and function well as adults,” she says.