ADHD
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a brain disorder that causes the individual to have inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity. Inattention means that the person will frequently lose focus and get off track of what he/she was attempting to get accomplished. When hyperactivity occurs, this could refer to excessive fidgeting, tapping, or talking. Impulsivity refers to making quick decisions without thinking them through. This could result in harm or a desire for immediately feeling rewarded after the decision has been made. ADHD can occur in both children and adults. However, symptoms can be reduced with dietary changes.
Refined sugar, artificial sweeteners, gluten, caffeine, chemical food additives, and preservatives are all causes of ADHD. In addition, nutritional deficiencies and food allergies can cause ADHD as well. A diet for someone who struggles with ADHD should avoid processed food with additives. Processed foods tend to have artificial sweeteners and preservatives that should be avoided. Whole foods are going to want to be utilized here, especially foods high in B vitamins and poultry. B vitamins help with the nervous system functioning efficiently and aid the body is producing enough serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. They can be found in leafy greens, tuna, bananas, wild salmon, and grass-fed beef. Poultry is important because it contains tryptophan, an essential amino acid. Tryptophan synthesizes proteins to help produce serotonin. It is important to have balanced serotonin levels to avoid mood imbalances and reduce impulsive decisions and aggression. All of these foods are perfect foods to eat at any time, except bananas. Bananas are a great fruit that can be eaten post-workout.
In addition to eating the right foods, it is also important when to eat them when it comes to ADHD. Breakfast should not be avoided, which means that intermittent fasting is not recommended for those with ADHD. A protein packed breakfast is crucial because it helps regulate blood sugar levels and reduce hormone fluctuations.
Many of the medications for ADHD can suppress hunger, which can be a negative for athletes. Athletes are going to need to eat enough calories to have energy to perform efficiently, but if they aren’t eating this can be a problem. It is important to pack food and keep track of when the last meal was eaten. If it is one o’clock in the afternoon and an athlete has not eaten since eight in the morning, then it is important for them to understand that they have to eat even if they are not hungry.
Along with healthy eating and eating enough at the right times, there are supplements that can help ADHD as well. Fish oil has been shown to help those with ADHD by aiding in brain function and having anti-inflammatory factors. Supplements that contain zinc, magnesium, and calcium may need to be utilized if a deficiency is present because these minerals play an important part in relaxing the nervous system. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a calming amino acid, can help aid in relaxation as well. Make sure to ask a physician before taking GABA though because it can interfere with other medications. Focusing on removing trigger foods and replacing them with whole foods is the key element here. It will not happen right away, but it is possible to eat well and reduce symptoms of ADHD.