Attention deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, Jan, 2003 by Farhang Khosh, Deena Beneda

How can we increase dopamine levels in children with ADHD naturally without using Ritalin or other amphetamines? Dopamine is made from the amino acids tyrosine, or phenylalanine. These amino acids are converted by enzymes into L-dopa. Folic acid, niacin and iron are required for the enzyme to make L-dopa from tyrosine. Finally, another enzyme converts L-dopa to dopamine as long as vitamin B6 is available. By supplementing nutrients and amino acids the body can make dopamine naturally, increasing its levels in the brain. (7) In addition, one study examined the plasma amino acids in 28 patients diagnosed with ADD and 20 control subjects. Compared to the controls, the ADD subjects had significantly lower levels of phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, histidine, and isoleucine. This suggests there may be a general deficiency in amino acid transport, absorption or both in ADD. (8)

Rhodiola rosea (Rose root) has been used in traditional European medicine for over 3,000 years and it is a way to increase dopamine in the brain. Current research shows that it increases the body's resistance to any type of stress by regulation of the hormonal response in the body. It has a protective effect upon neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine in the brain. It improves neurotransmitter activity by inhibiting their enzymatic destruction and preventing their decline caused by excessive stress hormone release. (9)

Much has been said in the literature relating diet to ADHD. Dietary influences such as food and environmental allergies and nutritional deficiencies have been linked to hyperactivity. By focusing on nutrition, proanthocyanidins, essential fatty acids, supplementing with vitamins/minerals, and eliminating allergens have been very effective in treating ADHD.

Food allergies and food chemistry are important in causing learning and behavior problems in children. When children are sick or influenced by food and/or airborne chemicals it can compromise brain function. Their learning is impaired and behavior may be disturbed. (6) Feingold research found that up to 50% of all hyperactive children were sensitive to food additives (artificial food colors, flavorings and preservatives) plus salicylates occurring naturally in some foods, making the connection between food allergies and hyperactivity. (1) Since then research has made the connection with foods and ADHD. Seventy-eight children with hyperactive behavior were placed on an elimination diet. Fifty-nine (76%) of the children improved in behavior. These 59 children who responded were then challenged with various foods and some food additives. It was found the additive containing foods were the worst offenders (70% reacted). Then the list was as follows: chocolate (64%), cow's milk (64%), orange (57%), cow's cheese (4 5%), wheat (45%), other fruits (35%), tomato (22%) and egg (18%). (10) Another study with 26 children who met the criteria for ADHD were put on a multiple item elimination diet and showed 19 children responding favorably and with an open challenge all 19 children reacted to many foods, dyes and/or preservatives. This study shows the benefit of eliminating reactive foods and artificial colors in the diets of children with ADHD. (11) Finally; a study involving 40 children who were given a diet free of artificial food dyes and other additives for five days; 20 of the children were classified as hyperactive and the other 20 were controls without a hyperactive classification. On oral challenges with food dyes the performance of the hyperactive children was impaired relative to their performance after receiving the placebo. The performance of the nonhyperactive group was not affected by the challenge of the food dyes. (12) The United States consumes an enormous amount of food additives. Per capita daily consumption of food additives is 13-15 grams, and the population's total annual consumption of food colors alone is approximately 100 million pounds. There are some 5,000 additives currently in widespread use. Other countries have significantly restricted artificial food additives. The removal of artificial food colorings and preservatives from the diet of a child with ADHD is vital and a realistic clinical intervention. (1)