Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/542735
Finding a Natural Calm Diet "There is no great evidence that taking away food dyes, processed foods and sugars helps, but anecdotally, I hear it quite often," Vause says. If you're going to try it, experts recommend eliminating one element at a time and then reintroducing it to gauge the effect before moving to the next possible culprit. Some research suggests a protein- rich diet can help alleviate symptoms. It's important, however, to talk with your doctor about any nutritional changes. As a pediatrician once told me: "You can't pay attention if you're starving, either." Complementary Therapies Can Help Ease ADHD Symptoms While my husband and I ultimately decided to medicate Wilder, we also know that medication isn't a cure. We work on developing essential skills that are difficult for ADHDers, and we continue to experiment with alternative or complementary therapies — things that can be done instead of or in addition to medication that help mitigate ADHD symptoms. If you are a parent of one of the estimated 6.4 million U.S. kids diagnosed with ADHD, here are a few of the more promising therapies we've tried, along with psychiatric nurse practitioner Holly Vause's take on each one. Vause works at Alder Grove Wellness Group and is assistant professor at the University of Colorado College of Nursing. Rule No. 1? Be safe: Do your research and talk to your doctor before using any treatment with your child. When my son Wilder was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, like a lot of parents, I was overwhelmed. Though I'd sensed this diagnosis was coming — I was the only mom visibly sweating when leaving toddler-time classes — I felt unprepared for all the questions that came with it: "Do we medicate? What about therapy? Should we change his diet? Finding a Natural Calm Supplements Growing evidence suggests using high-quality, higher- dose omega-3 fatty acids can help children with ADHD, Vause says. Vayarin, a relatively new EPA-enriched, omega-3, prescription medical food, is increasingly being used for ADHD. In a 2011 clinical study published in European Psychiatry, researchers detected significant differences between Vayarin and placebo groups in reducing symptoms. "While the evidence is not slam dunk like it is for stimulants, it (Vayarin) seems to work for a lot of families," Vause says. Evidence for other supplements, such as iron, zinc and amino acids, isn't that robust, but if parents are seeing improvement, they should stick with it, she says. Finding a Natural Calm Complementary Therapies Can Help Ease ADHD Symptoms by Kris Scott 22