ADHD Supplement: Magnesium This mineral won't directly improve attention, but it can calm hyperactivity and agitation, which compromise attention. I find magnesium helpful for children who have a “rebound effect” after their stimulant medication wears off.
Other medications used to treat ADHD include the nonstimulant atomoxetine and certain antidepressants such as bupropion. Atomoxetine and antidepressants work slower than stimulants do, but these may be good options if you can't take stimulants because of health problems or if stimulants cause severe side effects.
How do you treat ADHD without medication? For adults with ADHD, cognitive behavioral therapies help to reduce distractibility and improve organizational skills. Also, teaching relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and guided imagery is helpful.
Magnesium L Threonate (or magnesium citrate in those who can only take gummies) are the preparations that has been most studied and show the highest benefit for ADHD, cognition, mood, and anxiety.
Finally, supplementing vitamins B and C can also help alleviate ADD and ADHD symptoms. Vitamin C, like zinc, iron, and magnesium, is used to produce neurotransmitters like dopamine. Additionally, vitamin B deficiency is linked to irritability and fatigue in children.
This mineral won't directly improve attention, but it can calm hyperactivity and agitation, which compromise attention. I find magnesium helpful for children who have a “rebound effect” after their stimulant medication wears off.
Vitamin B9 is essential for the production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, which helps control impulsive behavior and improve mental focus. A lack of vitamins B12 and B6 can lead to hyperactivity. Supplementing with B vitamins helps improve ADHD symptoms in children who are deficient.
Some of the common foods that can cause ADHD reactions include milk, chocolate, soy, wheat, eggs, beans, corn, tomatoes, grapes, and oranges.
Protein-rich foods include eggs, lean meat, milk, cheese, nuts, soy, and low-fat yogurt. These foods can help maintain a feeling of fullness and prevent spikes in blood sugar levels. Some research also found that having a protein-rich breakfast can help enhance mood, attention, and alertness.
Managing irritation related to ADHD can include mindfulness, CBT, sleeping well, finding support, exercise, taking breaks from stress, and medications. At times, irritation in a child or adult with ADHD can reflect an issue such as depression, trauma, medication side effects, and other life problems.
Studies show that some herbal medicines, like ginseng, ningdong, and bacopa, may help with ADHD symptoms. But more research is needed to find out how much you should take and how they might interact with your meds. Talk with your doctor before you go the herbal route.
Causes of ADHD
Recent studies link genetic factors with ADHD. In addition to genetics, scientists are studying other possible causes and risk factors including: Brain injury. Exposure to environmental risks (e.g., lead) during pregnancy or at a young age.
ADHD brains have low levels of a neurotransmitter called norepinephrine. Norepinephrine is linked arm-in-arm with dopamine. Dopamine is the thing that helps control the brain's reward and pleasure center.
Vitamin D and magnesium supplementation in children with ADHD was effective on conduct problems, social problems, and anxiety/shy scores compared with placebo intake but did not affect psychosomatic problems scores, significantly.
Supplements and Vitamins for ADHD Focus
Vitamins — particularly zinc, iron, Vitamin C, Vitamin B, and magnesium — are critical to healthy brain function. Experts recommend that people should strive to eat well-balanced meals and maintain healthy levels of these key nutrients, experts say.
People with ADHD often lack magnesium and zinc and supplement of these vitamins may improve hyperactivity, impulsivity, attention and memory. Several studies have shown that, at large, people with ADHD have less magnesium (Mg) and zinc (Zn) in their bodies than the control groups that don't have ADHD.
Based on current data, magnesium taurate and glycinate have the most research supporting their effects on anxiety and other mental health disorders. Magnesium malate and threonine have also demonstrated therapeutic effects and may be useful in many psychiatric cases.