How To Treat ADHD Without Medication

Diet and lifestyle changes can play a key role in the cure for ADHD without meds. They can be employed alone in mild cases or accompanied by medications and psychotherapies in moderate to severe ADHD. The following are some of the suggestions to help with ADHD symptoms without the use of meds.

Consume a nutrient-dense, whole-foods-based diet.

For both children and adults, good proteins, healthy fats with omega 3 fatty acids, nutrient-dense vegetables and fruits, and minimally processed grains offer the best fuel sources for the neurotransmitter function and the brain.

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that send impulses between neurons in the body and brain, affecting things like concentration, attention, and processing of information.

In a world where highly processed foods laced with added preservatives and other additives can negatively impact health in a variety of ways, eating a whole foods-based diet and nutrient density needs to be prioritized to improve health, providing the minerals, vitamins, and high-quality fuel required for healthy neurotransmitter synthesis and function. A nutrient-dense diet is a crucial step in treating ADHD without the use of medication.

Eliminate food sensitivities

Food intolerance or sensitivities contribute to intestinal inflammation and leaky gut, which can adversely affect gut bacteria and neurotransmitter synthesis, aggravating ADHD symptoms including impulsivity and aggression.

Individual sensitivities can be discovered through testing, however, gluten and dairy are two of the most prevalent offenders. In the urine, incompletely digested wheat and dairy particles (known as gliadorphins and casomorphins) can be discovered. The presence of these particles has been linked to problems with learning, attention, and public relations, all of which are common in autism spectrum disorders and ADHD.

While not everyone is allergic to gluten or dairy, avoiding these foods for at least six weeks can be beneficial.

Correct any vitamin deficits.

B vitamins, omega 3 fatty acids, zinc, and magnesium are just a few of the nutrients that have been related to the development of ADHD. Most of these nutrients interact in a synergistic way, meaning that a lack in one might impair the correct functioning of the others.

Magnesium supplements with vitamin B6, for instance, have shown promise in lowering ADHD symptoms by increasing magnesium absorption.

According to a 2016 research on ADHD patients aged six to sixteen years, 72 percent of the children were found to be low in magnesium, and there was a significant association between hair magnesium, hyperactivity, and total IQ.

Magnesium deficiency is estimated to affect approximately 48 percent of all Americans of all ages.

Heal a leaking gut.

The gut is the starting point for your overall wellness. Friendly bacteria in the gut produce vital neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin, as well as absorb nutrients such as B vitamins and magnesium.

Not only does gut-healing help with typical gastrointestinal issues, but it can also help with mood, focus, and overall well-being.

How can you tell whether your gut requires some attention? Constipation, food sensitivity, bloating, irregular or painful bowel motions, and a strong need for sugar are all symptoms of a digestive imbalance.

Boost your antioxidant intake.

Our bodies are continually bombarded with unstable free radicals, which, if left unchecked, can circulate throughout the body and cause damage to vital organs such as DNA, the brain, and other cells. Free radicals are similar to cells that haven’t been to therapy–they’re volatile and unpredictable, which is what makes them dangerous.

Antioxidants, who act as therapists, come into action. They keep free radicals in check by stabilizing them and preventing oxidative damage. Glutathione and Vitamin C are two examples of them.

Glutathione depletion and oxidative stress have been linked to cognitive problems such as neurodegenerative diseases and ADHD such as dementia. Various antioxidants, such as ginkgo biloba, pycnogenol, and glutathione, have been studied.

Detoxify.

Excessive exposure to heavy metals harms children’s neurodevelopment and produces neurotoxic side effects that impede cognitive performance. As a result, heavy metals could have a role in the progression of ADHD.

Exposure to mercury and lead has been linked to increases in hyperactivity and inattention, as well as a loss in IQ, according to studies, including meta-analyses.

Heavy metal overexposure in kids who are genetically prone to their impacts could contribute to ADHD. The detoxification mechanisms of each individual vary. Some people, such as those with ADHD, are excellent detoxifiers, while others are not.

Reduce the amount of “excitotoxins.”

Excitotoxins are chemicals that cause neuron receptors to become overstimulated. Neuron receptors increase brain cell communication and fire more quickly than normal when exposed to excitotoxins, resulting in hyperactivity, impulsivity, and difficulties concentrating.

Artificial food chemicals like MSG, FD&C yellow, glutamate, or aspartame are the most common excitotoxins.

Imbalance of GABA and Glutamate. GABA, or gamma-aminobutyric acid, is a neurotransmitter, an amino acid, that relaxes the brain, whereas glutamate is more stimulating, excitatory and occasionally overworking the brain.

Low GABA levels have been linked to ADHD. Low GABA levels are associated with inattention, whereas high glutamate levels are associated with anger and impulsivity. GABA, like serotonin, is produced predominantly in the gut.

Magnesium supplementation is one method that can help maintain a healthy GABA/glutamate balance by limiting glutamate, the excitatory neurotransmitter, and promoting GABA’s calming effects.

Breakfast should include extra protein.

Sugar, processed carbs, and chemical preservatives abound in many popular breakfast items, especially those aimed at youngsters. Sadly, this is the least stable fuel source, and even a neurotypical brain can go into an energy spiral using it.

Adults and children with ADHD should have a high-protein breakfast every morning, and they should eat often during the day. Protein, minimally processed carbohydrates, and healthy fats should always be prioritized in snacks and meals.

Maintain a regular sleep routine.

With consistent and enough sleep, adults and children with ADHD are more likely to increase their focus, energy, and attention.

Individuals with ADHD are more likely to have shorter sleep durations, as well as difficulty falling and staying asleep. It’s common for persons with ADHD to wake up sluggish or groggy.

Your ADHD symptoms worsen as a result of your exhaustion, making it even more difficult to rest the next night.

Having a good nightly routine, such as going to bed at around the same time every night, can assist you to fall asleep faster. Kids and adults with ADHD benefit from participating in activities that promote a healthy circadian rhythm.

Increase your time spent outside.

Without the use of medication, there are ten ways to deal with ADHD.

In children with ADHD, studies demonstrate that spending time in “green space” increases focus and attention while reducing impulsivity.

Although the actual mechanism for such benefits is unknown, the advantages speak for themselves. Spending time outside, whether in nature or in your own backyard, boosts not just your physical health but also your mental and cognitive function.