4 Natural ADHD Treatments That Are Backed By Science

After writing about the benefits of Omega-3 Supplements for common ADHD symptoms, I started doing a lot of research about other natural ADHD treatments. My focus was on finding natural ADHD treatments that have been proven, through scientific studies, to work.
Here are four more natural ADHD treatments.

1.Iron Supplements

According to a study published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 84% of children with ADHD were iron deficient. In comparison, only 18% of their peers had low iron. 
This study also discovered that the lower the child’s iron levels were, the more severe the ADHD symptoms were. Additionally, symptoms improved over time when children with low iron and ADHD take an iron supplement. 
It’s believed that this is because iron contributes to the inefficient production of dopamine. Low iron disrupts protein synthesis, which is needed for the brain to produce dopamine.
If you are concerned about your child’s iron levels consult your doctor for a blood test. You should never give an iron supplement without consulting with a doctor first because too much iron can interfere with absorbing other nutrients and minerals.
If low iron is confirmed your doctor will probably recommend their preferred brand to you, and it will be available at the pharmacy without a prescription.
Our family physician recommends Fer-In-Sol drops and we used them for about 6 months, while intermittently rechecking iron levels.

Foods High in Iron

You can also offer your child plenty of iron-rich foods. Some foods with high iron include:
  • Red meat
  • Tuna
  • Peanut butter
  • Cheerios (or other iron-fortified cereal)
  • Peas
  • Eggs
  • Dark leafy vegetables (for example kale, spinach)
  • Whole grain bread

  • 2. Sandalwood Essential Oil

    Since discovering sandalwood essential oil, I use it in a diffuser at home all the time (This is the diffuser I own). The smell of sandalwood is uniquely wonderful and has tons of benefits.
    Different types of sandalwood are found throughout the world. As far as therapeutic benefits are concerned, Indian sandalwood is considered the best. However, it is also the most expensive. So, most products on the market are actually Australian sandalwood.
    There are a couple of reasons Sandalwood makes a great natural ADHD treatment.

    Memory Boosting

    Sandalwood improves working memory and stimulates better concentration. Combined with its ability to reduce stress, this oil can also help make an environment more suitable for learning. Try diffusing this oil while your child does homework or studies for a test.

    Sedative Effects

    The sedating effects of sandalwood can help induce calmness and reduce anxiety as well as restlessness. You can also use sandalwood to wind down and improve sleep.

    Other Health Benefits

    Sandalwood also soothes stomach pain and digestive issues and naturally relaxes the intestines, which helps with gas pains.

  • 3. Zinc

    Zinc is an important mineral that our bodies need. Just like iron and omega-3, zinc plays an important role in dopamine production.
    Zinc is also a contributor to the metabolism of neurotransmitters (including dopamine). Many children with ADHD have low zinc levels compared to their peers. Studies completed with children using zinc supplements along with the medication methylphenidate (Ritalin, Biphentin) have shown improvements in hyperactivity (Source).
    The SmartyPants Kids Complete Mineral Supplement is the best choice if you’re looking for a nutritional supplement high in Zinc, containing 45% of the daily value. Most multivitamins don’t contain high enough doses of the important minerals our bodies need.

  • Foods High in Zinc

    • Ground beef
    • Shellfish
    • legumes (for example, chickpeas and lentils)
    • Seeds
    • Nuts
    • Eggs
    • Sweet potatoes

    4. Magnesium

    Magnesium is one of the most important minerals for the body. We need it for literally hundreds of different functions within our cells.
    Almost everyone is deficient in magnesium. If your diet contains white sugar, white bread, or white rice you probably aren’t getting enough magnesium because these foods deplete your magnesium levels.

    Some symptoms of magnesium deficiency include

    • Restlessness
    • Hyperactivity
    • Meltdowns
    • Impaired social skills
    • Noise sensitivity
    • Teeth grinding
    • Irritability
    • Aggressiveness
    You may have just noticed while reading that list a lot of magnesium deficiency symptoms overlap with ADHD symptoms.
    Unfortunately, a lot of the food we eat is so over processed that it’s been completely depleted of minerals like magnesium.
    There are over 20 studies on magnesium and vitamin B6 (we need B6 to absorb magnesium) for autism, including 12 double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, making it one of the most studied nutritional treatments for autism. And those nutritional benefits are great for ADHD too.
    Almost all of these studies found that 45-50% of children and adults benefited from high-dose supplementation of magnesium and vitamin B6 (Source).
    The SmartyPants Kids Complete Daily Vitamin (taken along with the mineral supplement) is an excellent choice because it has additional zinc, magnesium, calcium, and chromium. SmartyPants vitamins have proven to be some of the best supplements on the market for ADHD.

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