ADHD, hyperactivity and behavioural problems

• Birth trauma
• Candidiasis
• Chemical sensitivities
• Deficiencies of zinc, B vitamins, magnesium, chromium, essential fatty acids
• Food allergy/intolerance
• Food additive sensitivity, especially tartrazine
• Heavy metal toxicity, particularly lead
• Lack of stomach acid or digestive enzymes
• Sugar sensitivity.

In 8 pre-school children given 6 ounces of juice sweetened either with sugar or with an artificial sweetener, there was a drop in performance on structured tasks and more "inappropriate" behaviour during free play after the sugary drink was consumed. Goldman JA et al: Behavioural effects of sucrose on pre-school children. J Abnorm Child Psychol 14(4):565-77, 1986.

In a study on 20 hyperactive children, blood, serum and urine levels of zinc were measured after the administration of orange drinks containing the artificial colouring tartrazine, and control drinks free of this additive. Tartrazine was found to induce a reduction in the zinc content of serum and saliva, and an increase in the zinc content of urine, with a corresponding deterioration in behaviour and emotional responses. Ward NI et al: The influence of the chemical additive tartrazine on the zinc status of hyperactive children - a double-blind placebo-controlled study. J Nutr Med 1:51-57, 1990.

53 subjects with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder were found to have significantly lower levels of key fatty acids in plasma and red cell lipids than 43 controls. Stevens LJ et al: Essential fatty acid metabolism in boys with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Am J Clin Nutr 62(4):761-8, 1995.

Behaviour, learning and health problems were compared between boys with high and low intakes of essential fatty acids. More behavioral problems were found in those with lower omega-3 intakes, and more learning and health problems were found in those with lower omega-6 intakes. Stevens LJ et al: Omega-3 fatty acids in boys with behavior, learning and health problems. Physiol Behav 59(4-5):915-20, 1996.

Magnesium, zinc, copper, iron and calcium levels were measured in plasma, red cells, urine and hair of 50 hyperactive children. Average concentrations were low compared with healthy controls. The authors recommend nutritional supplementation for hyperactive children. Kozielec T et al: Deficiency of certain trace elements in children with hyperactivity. Psychiatr Pol 28(3):345-53, 1994.

Of 76 hyperactive children treated with a low-allergen diet, 62 improved, and a normal range of behaviour was achieved in 21 of these. Other symptoms such as headaches and fits also often improved. 48 foods were incriminated. Artificial colourings and preservatives were the commonest provoking substances. Egger J et al: Controlled trial of oligoantigenic treatment in the hyperkinetic syndrome. Lancet 1:540-5, 1985.

Compared with controls, a group of hyperactive children were found to have lower levels of zinc in urine, hair, serum and fingernails.The food additive tartrazine was found to significantly increase the urinary excretion of zinc over a 24 hour period. Ward NI et al: The influence of the chemical additive tartrazine on the zinc status of hyperactive children - a double-blind placebo controlled study. J Nutr Med 1:51-57, 1990.