Types of ADHD: Foods that help

Does your child usually restless or doesnt respond to you when you speak to them? Do they have trouble remembering things? Do you have a hard time controlling them from jumping here and there, being impulsive or not having a proper sleep routine? Does he or she have behavioural issues? It’s likely that your child has ADHD, often known as hyperactivity-attention deficit disorder. The greatest strategy to assist someone with ADHD is to understand the types of ADHD and to offer target-specific diagnosis and treatment. Read more to know about different types of ADHD and foods that help in managing the symptoms of ADHD.

Feedback from parents

What is ADHD?

ADHD is the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder. Children with this condition have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive actions, and regulating their restless feelings. ADHD (Hyperactivity attention deficit disorder) symptoms typically first appear between the ages of 3 and 6. However, while certain symptoms, such as hyperactivity, get better with age, others, such as poor impulse control and disorganisation, can persist through the adolescent years. 

Also, Check: 8 ways to manage ADHD in kids 

ADHD types and symptoms

Recent studies indicate that ADD/ADHD affects both boys and girls at a similar rate, despite the fact that it is more usually diagnosed in boys. Because boys typically externalise their ADHD symptoms, making them more noticeable than girls, whereas girls typically internalise their symptoms. Depending on the type of ADHD and the person’s sex, ADHD can have a variety of symptoms.

There are currently three distinct forms of ADHD, each of which can be identified by its behavioural characteristics.

1. Inattentive type
2. Hyperactive-Impulsive Type
3. Combination Type

1. Inattentive Type:

Inattentive Type ADHD, formerly known as ADD, is characterised by a loss of focus and distractibility without any apparent indicators of hyperactivity. People with this form of ADHD commonly misplace things and have poor working memory.

The following are some symptoms observed in people with this type of ADHD:

• Lack of attention to detail
• Making careless errors
• Inability to follow or understand instructions 
• Avoiding difficult tasks and getting distracted
• Being absentminded
• Losing items that are needed to finish tasks

Also, Check: Sensory Processing Disorder in kids

2. Hyperactive-Impulsive Type:

This form of ADHD is characterised by impulsive and hyperactive behaviour without any inattentive behaviour. The “classic” ADHD presentation. They appear to chatter nonstop and frequently interrupt others. They could struggle with self-control and blurt out responses when they are in class. Usually, this variety is found in young boys.

The following are some symptoms observed in people with this type of ADHD:

• Squirming and fidgeting (hand clapping)
• Frequently rising from a seated position
• Running or climbing
• Finding it difficult to play quietly
• Talking excessively, interrupting others, or blabbing

3. Combination Type:

The majority of people with hyperactivity attention deficit disorder have this combined type of ADHD. The individual will exhibit impulsive and hyperactive behaviour, as well as a tendency to become quickly distracted and have difficulty focusing.

Also, Check: Proven foods of ADHD

ADHD Causes:

• Family history of ADHD
• Premature birth or having a low birth weight
• Brain injury that happened either in the womb or later in life
• Use of alcohol or tobacco during pregnancy
• Exposure to poisons like lead either during pregnancy or from a young age

However, the exact cause of ADHD is not clear yet and research is continuing.

Also, Check: Sensory Processing Disorder

Foods for ADHD: 

While there is no cure for ADHD, currently available treatments can help reduce symptoms and improve functioning. Treatments include medication, psychotherapy, education or training, or a combination of treatments. Along with these, giving children a balanced diet from an early age is crucial, and it becomes much more important if the child has ADHD. Following are some foods and herbs that help in managing the symptoms of ADHD. 

1. NUTS:

All nuts, including almonds, cashews, peanuts, and hazelnuts, are high in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E. According to research, Omega 3 fatty acids have been found to be associated with early childhood brain development. These good fats have incredible brain-boosting abilities and are essential for improving memory and attention span.

Also, Check: Nuts and seeds rich in protein

2. SEEDS:

Seeds like Melon, Pumpkin and Sunflower contain potent antioxidants like vitamin E that protect the brain from oxidative damage. Sunflower seeds are regarded as a brain-boosting snack because of their impact on the general mood and mental processing abilities. Compared to other seeds, pumpkin seeds have substantially higher levels of zinc, magnesium, and copper, all of which aid in improving focus and memory.

Also, Check: 5 Seeds that are high in protein

3. JOWAR FLOUR:

Jowar, which is rich in iron, can also lessen ADHD symptoms like anxiety, hyperactivity, and tantrums. Iron has the ability to relax the nervous system, which helps the child with ADHD syndrome to become more at ease.

To improve the iron intake of your child – Add Daily Nutrition Veggies and Dal powder

4. GOTUKOLA:

Gotu kola has strong anti-oxidant qualities and enhances cognition, memory, and mental performance. It gently relaxes the nervous system while also encouraging alertness—the best possible state of consciousness for any form of mental focus, study, or cognition. 

5. SPEARMINT:

Spearmint extract has higher quantities of phenolic compounds that enhance working memory, spatial working memory and increase attention, concentration, and brain function by promoting the formation and protection of new brain cells. 

Also, Check: 5 Ayurvedic herbs for kids

6. ST. JOHN’S WORT:

St John’s wort contains chemical messengers like Hyperforin and Adhyperforin, which are recognised for their antidepressant qualities. The extracts of this herb enhance mood, and focus, and reduce anxiety and insomnia. According to several studies, adolescents with ADHD may benefit from taking St. John’s wort every day for four weeks. It is also used to treat problems including anxiety, exhaustion, appetite loss, and difficulty sleeping that might occasionally accompany depression.

7. PASSION FLOWER:

The chemicals in the passion flower provide a calming and relaxing effect. Early research indicates that taking passion flower orally for eight weeks may help some ADHD symptoms in kids aged 6 to 13 years. 

8. VALERIAN:

The herb valerian is well known for its relaxation properties. Additionally, it contains some anticonvulsant qualities that might be advantageous for kids who are prone to seizure activity. Children with ADHD, cognitive impairment, hyperactivity, irritability, anxiety, behavioural regulation, and neurodevelopmental abnormalities can benefit from valerian for improved attention and sleep. 

9. LAVENDER:

The most well-known essential oil for soothing is lavender. The lavender essential oil can be helpful for reducing anxiety and making you feel more at ease, which may help with ADHD symptoms. It has been demonstrated that the aroma can calm and soothe the nervous system. Its relaxing qualities can benefit autistic children by enhancing their sleep quality and assisting their bodies in combating emotional stress. 

10. TURMERIC:

Curcumin, an active ingredient in turmeric improves spatial memory, long-time retrieval and visual memory as per a study. It helps in managing anxiety, depression etc which is commonly seen in people with ADHD disorder.

Also, Check: Foods that help with asthma

11. GINKGO BILOBA:

Ginkgo biloba is a promising herbal supplement that may alter the neural system in a disorder similar to ADHD. It helps in enhancing memory and cognitive performance. According to a study, children who took a ginkgo extract daily for three to five weeks showed a decrease in the symptoms of ADHD. 

12. SUNFLOWER LECITHIN:

Sunflower lecithin is an excellent source of choline, a vital nutrient required for a variety of health functions. Since choline is a precursor to acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in memory and learning, choline is particularly significant for maintaining good brain function. 

13. ROSEMARY EXTRACT:

As per research, exposure to the aroma of rosemary oil improved people’s performance on thinking tasks in terms of speed and accuracy.

14. CHAMOMILE:

Chamomile is considered to be a safe and effective way to help a child relax. It’s a dried flower. These flowers are white and yellow and look like beautiful little daisies. For centuries, it has been used for medicinal purposes to calm the mind and mildly induce sleep. It Improves relaxation and relieves stress, reduces anxiety, promotes sleep and relieves insomnia.

15. LEMON BALM:

This Phytomedicine improves symptoms of Hyperactivity, Attention Deficits, and Impulsivity in Children. As per the study conducted by NIH, the fraction of children having strong/very strong symptoms of poor ability to focus decreased from 75% to 14%, hyperactivity from 61% to 13%, and impulsiveness from 59% to 22%.

Also, Check: Foods for brain development

ACTIVITIES AND GAMES FOR KIDS WITH ADHD – CHECK HERE

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