| Diets that are adequate in protein and low in complex | | | | vitamins, and minerals. |
| carbohydrates have been consistently proven to | | | | Taking supplemental amino acids rarely helps as our |
| improve the symptoms of ADHD. Children with ADHD | | | | bodies are programmed to use food, not supplements |
| often crave carbohydrates and shun protein. The | | | | as neurotransmitter building blocks. The complex |
| carbohydrates provide them with a very temporary | | | | building process is not completed with the use of |
| sense of well being but ultimately causes a dopamine | | | | supplements, which is why studies have been |
| depletion, which worsens their symptoms. | | | | inconsistent regarding their utility in the treatment of |
| Our health and our quality of life are undeniably tied to | | | | ADHD. |
| our diets. This is true across and within cultures. The | | | | Tyrosine is the main amino acid used by neurons to |
| better your diet is, the better your health will be. A poor | | | | produce norepinephrine and dopamine. Protein Meat, |
| diet worsens symptoms of many diseases and it is | | | | Milk, Eggs, Cheese, fish and other seafood raise the |
| not an exaggeration to say that the single most | | | | level of tyrosine in the blood and brain causing neurons |
| important component of an effective ADHD treatment | | | | to manufacture more norepinephrine and dopamine. |
| plan is diet. Here is why. | | | | Environmental toxins such as cigarette smoke, sugar, |
| Low protein diets cause the body to secrete insulin. | | | | poor sleep, and stress easily deplete dopamine and |
| Insulin tells cells to pull out dopamine and norepinephrine | | | | norepinephrine levels. The neurons that use Dopamine |
| making amino acids out of the blood stream and to put | | | | are easily damaged by oxidization. It is thought that |
| them in storage for later use. This in turn causes the | | | | antioxidant vitamins such as vitamin C and E not only |
| brain to have an inadequate amount of these | | | | help protect these neurons from free radical damage |
| neurotransmitters. | | | | but also help with the transmission of amino acids |
| Dopamine and norepinephrine are the | | | | across the blood brain barrier, one of the many |
| neurotransmitters in the brain that allow us to feel alert, | | | | necessarysteps in building dopamine and |
| allow our memory to function properly, and allow us to | | | | norepinephrine. |
| feel motivated. The neurotransmitters in our brain are | | | | Children's diets are often lacking in nutrients and protein |
| made from amino acids in the foods that we eat. | | | | but children with ADHD, often because of Sensory |
| Amino acids in our food are moved into our brains by | | | | Integration issues, are pickier eaters than other children. |
| a highly complex process that involves many other | | | | Getting children to eat an adequate amount of protein |
| chemicals and molecules, which must in our body, all be | | | | is sometimes and uphill battle but it is essential if we |
| in place, and in the correct amount. The best way to | | | | are to avoid the symptoms of ADHD that are |
| achieve this perfect balance of amino acids and helper | | | | worsened by a high carbohydrate diet. |
| transporter molecules is to eat a diet rich in proteins, | | | | |