We have a lot of articles that explore the relationship between nutrient deficiencies and ADHD.  Often, these nutrient deficiencies and the ADHD symptoms they cause are the secondary effects of a larger underlying problem like leaky gut syndrome.   One of the hottest vitamin supplements at the moment is vitamin D, and many say that it can bring benefits to those with ADHD. Although it’s not as widely studied as zinc or magnesium supplementation, the speculative discussion on this nutrient suggest ways where vitamin D can help someone with ADHD.

Boosts glutathione production

Omega-3 essential fatty acids are vulnerable to free radical damage and oxidation in the body, and it’s possible that a deficient in antioxidants like glutathione can aggravate this deficiency.  Antioxidants protect nutrients from oxidation and keep them biologically available until the cells use them up for their various needs. Vitamin D boosts the body’s glutathione production by regulating an enzyme that regulates the recycling of glutathione in the body.

Improves glucose transport

The brain needs glucose in order to function well, and some research suggests that vitamin D plays a role in glucose transport to the brain and glucose metabolism.  Although more studies need to examine this role, vitamin D’s activities on glucose are certainly an important potential benefit for someone with ADHD.

Better fine motor control

Some children with ADHD have problems with fine motor activities like writing, cutting shapes, or zipping zippers.  It is suggested that a deficiency in vitamin D can exacerbate this problem. Conversely, supplementation with vitamin D has been found to improve fine motor coordination, especially if taken with conventional therapies.

Lengthens attention span

Vitamin D also improves the function of the enzyme choline acetyltransferase, which is used to produce a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine.  Acetylcholine is known to maintain attention, which most individuals with ADHD have difficulties with.  Maintaining healthy levels of vitamin D seems to boost low levels of this important neurotransmitter.

Relieves SAD

The strongest relationship between vitamin D and psychological health has to do with depressive symptoms in those afflicted with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Since sunlight is required to produce vitamin D, it’s not surprising for many individuals with ADHD to experience SAD during dark winter months.  Vitamin D can be a useful supplement if your child is prone to experiencing SAD, anxiety, or depression.

Although the effect of vitamin D is not as pronounced as other vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, it has some neurological effects that can potentially benefit someone with ADHD.  But since these benefits are quite limited, it might not be enough to use vitamin D supplements as a standalone treatment.  However, giving your child a multivitamin with vitamin D may not be a bad idea, especially if you get very little sunlight during some parts of the year.

In our Article Library, you’ll find several discussions on various nutritional interventions for ADHD. Although vitamin C is known more for its immune-boosting and antioxidant properties, some studies suggest that it may play an important role in managing hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. Before you get excited and start buying vitamin C supplements, take note that vitamin C works more as a secondary treatment that boosts the efficacy of supplements and dietary methods; in other words, it should not be used as a single, stand-alone treatment. Although some of its speculative benefits still need to be confirmed by further studies, it seems like maintaining or increasing vitamin C levels can reduce ADHD symptoms in five ways:

Protects omega-3 fatty acids from oxidation

Omega-3 fatty acid supplements containing DHA and EPA are known to improve brain function among individuals with ADHD. However, one of the main problems of supplementing with fatty acids is that they are prone to oxidation after the slightest exposure to sun, air, or light. Oxidation basically means that the fatty acids break down, go rancid, and no longer contain their nutritional benefits. A natural antioxidant can prevent this problem, but vitamin C is actually not the best choice where fatty acids are concerned. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, which means it has limited effects on a less water soluble substance like omega-3 fats. However, it does boost the levels of other important antioxidants like glutathione and vitamin E, which are better equipped to protect omega-3 fats from oxidation. It’s also important to note that vitamins C and E work very well as an anti-oxidant team.

Neuroprotective properties

Did you know that the brain’s nerve endings have the second highest concentration of vitamin C in the body? (The first is the adrenal glands.) New research shows that vitamin C performs a strong protective role in the brain, especially when used with vitamin D. It protects against a specific type of oxidative damage called ischemia, which causes reduced blood supply to the brain. This is important to children with ADHD because ischemia is actually one of the lesser known causes of ADHD, especially during a child’s early years. Ischemia can interfere with the dopamine receptors in the brain, causing symptoms like poor attention span and slow reaction time.

Neutralizes the effects of lead

Current research shows that ADHD-like behaviors and symptoms may be connected to increased lead levels. Vitamin C can reduce lead’s negative effects on memory and learning, especially when used together with zinc, methionine, taurine, and glycene.

Improves absorption of minerals

Deficiencies in zinc, iron, and magnesium are just some of the nutrition-related triggers of ADHD. Researchers hypothesize that vitamin C’s ability to fight off the effects of lead has to do with the way it increases iron absorption, especially if iron is deficient. Take note that vitamin C can possibly work as a pro-oxidant if found at low levels in the body; in higher levels, it has an anti-oxidant effect.

Regulate blood sugar levels

Some research suggests that children with ADHD have low glucose metabolism in certain regions, especially those that control attention and movement. This effect seems to be more pronounced among girls and women. Although vitamin C’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels is more theoretical at this point, some diabetics already use vitamin C to help treat their condition.

Flavay Plus for Healthy Immune and Nervous Systems

Research shows that the brain and the immune system have a direct influence upon each other’s functions. One way to achieve better neurotransmitter production is to consume vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that can support this connection. Flavay is a powerful nutritional supplement that provides support for both the immune system and nervous system. As an immune system booster, it recycles the activity of vitamins E and C, providing the body with more ammunition against infection and antioxidant protection against free radicals. As food for the brain, Flavay Plus contains phosphatidyl serine, a group of fatty acids and amino acids from soy lecithin that is a proven therapeutic agent against memory disorders. In a clinical trial where 26 children with ADHD took 300mg of phosphatidyl serine daily, 25 of them had improved learning capacity and behavior without any side effects. Other published double-blind studies show that this nutrient can treat depression naturally.

Phosphatidyl serine has another positive effect child with ADHD. The Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders report that children with ADHD are likely to have abnormal rhythms in the stress hormone cortisol. Studies show that this nutrient can calm down exaggerated stress in young people by normalizing the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal’s stress-induced activation of the brain. In other words, phosphadtidyl serine regularizes brain activity, allowing the child to concentrate on tasks without jumping from thought to thought.

Finally, Flavay Plus contains other vitamins and minerals known to benefit children with ADHD, such as gingko biloba, zinc, magnesium, B-vitamins, and selenium. A bottle of Flavay Plus costs USD 78 ( 120 capsules per bottle). Available at flavay.com.

BrightSpark for Improved Behavior

BrightSpark is a homeopathic remedy especially formulated to handle hyperactivity, impulsivity, and distractibility in children. The positive effects of BrightSpark on concentration and behavior are due to four carefully-selected herbs:

• Hyocyamus is known to calm down restless, over-excitable, and disruptive behavior in children. This herb is also known to provide relief to involuntary twitching, fidgeting, or grunting.
• Arsen iod can bring out balance during temper outbursts and suppresses annoyances during frustrating situations. It is often recommended for children who are prone to sudden outbursts or who are particularly impatient and excitable.
• Verta alb promotes emotional stability and calm nerves. Ideal for inattentive children who tend to feel anxious.
• Tuberculinum is an homeopathic herb for allergy-related symptoms, but it can also be used to soothe destructive anger and irritability.

BrightSpark comes in a chewable tablet form and is available for USD 43 per bottle (125 tablets per bottle). Available at nativeremedies.com.

Vaxa Memorin for Better Brain Function

Children and adults with ADHD have problems with working memory, the aspect of short-term memory that deals with processing and retrieving information to accomplish certain tasks. Vaxa Memorin can provide the brain with the essential nutrients needed for better memory, concentration, and attention. This herbal supplement contains amino acids that aid L-Tyrosine and L-Phenylalanine, the precursors of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. Vaxa Memorin also contains GABA, a non-protein amino acid that functions as an inhibitory neurotransmitter, protecting brain activity from getting over-excited while enhancing alertness and focus. Finally, this supplement contains gingko biloba for protection against free radical damage, lipid oxidation, and better memory function. Vaxa Memorin costs USD 27 per bottle (60 capsules per bottle) and should be taken at the start of the day for best results. Available at vaxa.com.

Vaxa Extress for Stress Relief

This herbal preparation can also counter-act the effects of the stress hormone cortisol. Vaxa Extress contains a combination of helpful amino acids that are the precursors to norepinephrine and dopamine. These amino acids also have another positive effect on the body: when the body is under stress, it breaks down proteins at a much faster rate. Vaxa Extress contains the amino acids that can regulate protein metabolism, preventing the needless breakdown of proteins and the unnecessary utilization of other amino acids in the body. As the body prevents these nutrients from breaking down, the child experiences the positive psychological effect of reduced stress and anxiety. Vaxa Extress costs USD 29 per bottle (60 capsules per bottle). Available at vaxa.com.

Digestin for Healthy Digestion

Digestin is the only herbal supplement in this group that does not deal with the symptoms of ADHD directly, but its effects on the digestive system can eliminate problems caused by intolerances to gluten, casein, and other allergens. This formula contains marshmallow root, peppermint leaf, gentian root, papaya leaf, and papain, which stimulates natural digestive secretions and clears up digestive complaints. Peppermint leaf, in particular, cleanses the gastro-intestinal tract of toxins and undigested particles. Digestin also complements dysfunctional pancreas, influences the muscular tone of digestive organs, and allows wastes to be removed quickly. Digestin costs $27 per bottle (60 capsules per bottle). Available at vaxa.com.

The study was carried out by British and Australian researchers at Northumbria University in Newcastle. The researchers recruited 81 children with an average age of 11 to participate in the randomised, double-blind placebo controlled study. The children were randomly assigned to daily multivitamin and mineral supplements or placebo for 12 weeks.

Laboratory assessments were used to measure the children’s cognitive performance; before the study, one and three hours after the first dose, and after 12 weeks.

On two tests of attention, results showed that the children in the vitamin/mineral group performed more accurately.

Lead researcher, David Kennedy wrote; “the most surprising facet of the improvement in attention task performance seen here is that it became evident by three hours post-dose on the first day”.

“To the best of our knowledge, the possibility that vitamins or minerals could exert behavioural effects after a single dose has not been explored.”

The researchers concluded, “the combination of vitamins, minerals and amino acids present … in the present study does not allow the results presented to be attributed to any one component. Further work in this area could examine the constituent parts of this treatment in more detail, perhaps focusing on attentional measures and including acute, as well as chronic, assessment”.