Chances are, you may have already heard about the side effects caused by long-term use of Ritalin and would like to know whether there are any natural alternatives to ADHD medication. Your doctor may have not mentioned this, but there are a multitude of natural approaches to overcoming ADHD. The only problem is that there are so many alternatives that it can get a little confusing and overwhelming. Here are a few known alternatives to ADHD to get you started.
Nutrition and diet
Western medicine glosses over the role of proper nutrition and a healthy diet when it comes to overcoming ADHD and other chronic disorders. Your doctor will probably even say that the food you eat has nothing to do with ADHD. However, researchers have discovered that children with ADHD are in fact deficient in key nutrients like zinc, calcium, and essential fatty acids. Certain foods like dairy products, eggs, and wheat can cause food intolerances and have been found to negatively affect the brain wave activation patterns of individuals with ADHD. These foods often cause food allergies because they contain proteins that are difficult to digest. Removing dairy products and wheat products and replacing these with proteins and low glycemic index carbohydrates from fruits and vegetables have helped diminish symptoms of ADHD in children. Adding omega 3 oil food supplements have also had a positive effect on those with ADHD.