Treatment for ADHD | Child with ADHD 2011

Treatment for ADHD

There is no scientific evidence to show that the infamous food colourings in kids' snacks and food is actually causing any hyperactivity at all. There is therefore no need to put food warnings on the labels. Diet, nutrition and food are not really linked to ADHD at all. That was the result of a recent vote by a special FDA panel recently. According to them, diet can not be regarded as one of the effective ADHD treatments.

But the voting behind this decision was very narrow in that eight members of a special panel voted against the labels while six actually voted for them. That was a close vote. The panel was appointed by the FDA and its job was to decide whether the food colorings were really linked to ADHD or not. The actual panel was made up of doctors, researchers and scientists and they decided that there was just not enough hard scientific evidence to link ADHD with these.

But lots of other work and studies have been going on and there is now a lot of evidence which supports the fact that diet can really exacerbate and improve ADHD symptoms. There are studies that show that there is a lack of zinc and copper in children with ADHD. Other research suggests that there is one particular coloring which does seem to cause hyperactivity in children although this study was not alone to convince the panel I have mentioned above. But it is a fact that the consumption of colourings has actually doubled in the last twenty years! Other studies show that a certain combination of food colourings and additives can actually be toxic.

Certainly diet and nutrition issues are not going to solve the ADHD problem but there is enough evidence to show that it does affect a child's behavior and executive functions. In fact the UK government have already asked food companies to start a gradual voluntary withdrawal of all these food colorings. The EU is moving in the same direction while the US lags behind. The Center For Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has published a report called Rainbow of Risks.

The main point is that while there may be a link with ADHD, there are other health concerns such as the risks of cancer, genetic damage and allergies which can be caused by these food colourings. The major culprits are Y5 (Tartrazine), Y6 (Sunset yellow) and R40 (Allura red). But, apart from some dietary restrictions, are ADHD treatments really possible without the use of psychostimulants? The CDC and the NIMH are at least in agreement about this and they advocate a multi-pronged approach.

They are adamant now in saying that effective ADHD treatments must be comprehensive and include such things as behavior therapy, an ADHD friendly home, nutrition and plenty of green time with physical exercise. As regards medication, they are cautious about the alternatives to conventional meds which are, in my view, very promising. That is why I have built a website around this whole issue. If you really want to know what are effective ADHD treatments, why not check this one out?

Love, cherish and protect your child. Experts now tell us that child behavior modification combined with a natural treatment for ADHD is by far the most effective ADHD treatment. Matthew Gant has written extensively on ADHD and Mental Health for many years. For more parenting and ADHD advice, visit: http://natural-adhd-cure.com

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Effective-ADHD-Treatments---Can-Diet-Really-Help-Or-Hinder?&id=6147715] Effective ADHD Treatments - Can Diet Really Help Or Hinder?