6 Things A Naturopath Recommends To All Of Her Patients With ADHD

"I got diagnosed with ADHD, and now I know the root of all of my problems," my patient Sally said with conviction one Thursday afternoon.

As I sat across from Sally and heard about the process that led to her diagnosis, the story felt all too familiar.

When a patient gets diagnosed with ADHD, they often feel relieved. That diagnosis can help them better understand themselves and how they operate and relate to others. Their next question is what they can do to manage it—and this is where many people get stuck. 

After working with thousands of patients with ADHD, I've seen that while medications may help in the short term, most people need additional support and long-term strategies. Research is now beginning to tell the same story1.

When looking for alternative treatment solutions for ADHD, there aren't a lot of concrete, science-backed options out there (though I suspect this will change in the near future).

While there hasn't been much research on the impact of gluten-free diets on ADHD symptoms specifically, there are several factors that lead me to recommend them to my patients.

Neuroinflammation is likely a driver of ADHD3, and research is mounting that gluten leads to neurodegeneration4. It can also contribute to a leaky gut5, further fueling neuroinflammation. Add this to the fact that those with ADHD are much more likely to be diagnosed with celiac disease6, and I'd say there is a fairly compelling argument to try going gluten-free to see if it helps with symptoms. 

Fish oil is one of my go-to supplements when it comes to helping neurodiverse patients. It's literally food for your brain, so it's no surprise that research backs up its use in ADHD. We know that adults and children diagnosed with ADHD tend to be low in omega-3 fatty acids8 and that supplementation improves clinical symptoms of ADHD9 in both children and adolescents. 

Always talk to your doctor before introducing a new supplement to your routine, but I'd suggest taking at least 2,000 mg of high-quality fish oil (that is screened for pollutants) and eating small oily fish such as sardines or salmon regularly. 

There have been several studies showing that children and adolescents with ADHD have even lower levels of vitamin D10 than the general population.

Magnesium is the most important mineral when it comes to calming down an overactive nervous system12, and studies show that children and adolescents with ADHD tended to be lower in it.

One study also found that magnesium improved ADHD symptoms13 when used with vitamin D. Taking a high-quality magnesium supplement may also help with some of the side effects of ADHD, like sleeplessness, nervous tension, and anxiety.

Zinc is another supplement I recommend for my ADHD patients if I suspect a deficiency. Research shows that those with ADHD are likely to be deficient in zinc14, and there is some early research showing that the essential mineral could help ADHD medications work better in children.

In a study of 444 children, exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) (found in plastic water bottles and some food packaging) was associated with unfavorable cognitive and behavioral outcomes15.

I always suggest my patients do their best to avoid food and drinks that come wrapped in plastic for this reason. At the very least, never heat up food in plastic, as this can increase BPA leaching. Beware of "BPA-free" plastics that contain other bisphenol substitutes, too, as they exhibit very similar effects.

There are also many studies that link phthalate exposure to ADHD16. Phthalates are found in many soft plastics—such as vinyl floors, medical tubing, and baby toys. Going plastic-free is really the way to go, for both your health and the environment. 

While caffeine can certainly be helpful for improving focus and productivity in the short term, the jury is out about whether it's more helpful or harmful for those with ADHD17.