Attention Deficit Disorder is the most common behavioural disorder in children. Although not all ADD/ ADHD children are nutritionally deficient in essential fatty acids, statistics and studies show that a significant number of ADHD children are.

Physicians predominately use stimulant drugs such as Ritalin for ADD but studies show that ADD / ADHD children whose treatment program includes only stimulant medication remain at a high risk for vandalism, petty crime, frequency of alcoholic intoxication, and possession of marijuana. Additionally, ADHD medications can cause potentially harmful side effects and do not treat the cause of the Attention Deficit Disorder.

With ADD / ADHD, nutrition and food is one the first aspect of treatment to consider, as an alternative treatment or used in conjunction with traditional stimulant drug treatment.

A growing body of research points to nutritional deficiencies - especially with essential fatty acids and amino acids - as a contributing factor of Attention Deficit Disorder and learning deficiencies.

Put down the Ritalin bottle for one minute to consider these Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD nutrition research findings;
· A George Washington University School of Medicine study found that hyperactive children who ate a meal high in protein did equally well, and sometimes better, in school than non-hyperactive kids.

· An Oxford University (England) study evaluated the effects of fatty acid supplementation in average intelligence children with significant reading and writing disabilities. The ADHD symptoms in children receiving essential fatty acids significantly improved over the children in the control group receiving a placebo.

· Researchers first tied Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD with lower essential fatty acid in 1981. Studies examining essential fatty acid blood levels in children with behavioural problems in 1983 confirmed this ADD nutrition connection.

· Researchers further documented the essential fatty acid deficiency tie to ADD in a 1987 study. Then, a 1995 study comparing essential fatty acid levels in ADHD boys against a control group of boys without ADHD found significantly lower levels of Omega-3 fatty acids.

· In 1996 Purdue University researchers have found that boys with low blood levels of Omega-3 fatty acids have a greater frequency of ADD / ADHD.

Fatty acids are used to make brain and nerve tissue in the body and are crucial for proper growth, mental function, the immune system and brain development. The body cannot produce the two fatty acids families, Omega-3 and Omega-6, on its own and therefore must receive these key ADD / ADHD nutrition ingredients through diet and supplementation.

Learning specialists now believe many childhood behaviour and learning problems are associated with Omega-3 deficiencies. This deficiency has a greater impact on males because their requirements for essential fatty acids are, in general, much higher.

ADHD adults and parents of ADHD children should include food high in Omega-3 fatty acids daily. That said, many children simply will not eat the Omega-3 rich salmon, mackerel and sardines.

Thankfully there is now a wide variety of Omega-3 tablets available, which are easy for children to swallow.
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Most studies conducted on the affects of essential fatty acids found that at least 10 weeks of supplementation is needed to adequately raised fatty acid levels in brain cells. Follow a diet high in Omega-3 fatty acids for at least 10 weeks, and preferably 12 weeks, before judging the effectiveness of nutrition on Attention Deficit Disorder and ADHD symptoms.

Essential fatty acids are not the only element needed when addressing ADD / ADHD nutrition. Amino acids, from which protein is made, are an integral element since amino acids and essential fatty acids are both needed to work in the body. Therefore, adding quality protein is a key in Attention Deficit Disorder nutrition.

Attention Deficit and hyperactive people can greatly reduce the level of unfocused or misdirected energy simply by starting the day with a protein based breakfast. A solid protein breakfast can increase concentration, reduce restlessness and increase mental and physical calm.

Instead of starting the day with sugared cereals or white bread toast and jam etc, try these healthy alternatives -
Scrambled eggs, wholewheat / seed loaf toast and fruit
Wholewheat / seed loaf toast with peanut butter
Fruit and yogurt smoothie with flax oil
Protein shake
A couple of handfuls of raw nuts with a filling fruit like banana
Melted low fat cheese on wholewheat / seed loaf toast
Powdered biltong and avocado on wholewheat toast
Cottage cheese on fruit & nut health bread.