- What About Alternatives To ADHD Medications?
QUESTION:
Dear Dr. Heller,
Our 13-year-old son was recently diagnosed with ADD. My husband and I discovered that many of our friends have children with ADD who are on Ritalin. We’d like to find some alternative solutions working with his diet, his habits, and possibly magnetics. I’m in the business of helping people live healthier lifestyles, so I’m also considering starting a support group for other parents interested in doing the same. Do you have any resources or advice that might be helpful for us? Thank you.
ANSWER:
While there’s no question that a poor diet makes the condition worse and can cause an ADHD like syndrome in some who don’t have ADHD. True ADHD is usually a genetic condition. Well-intentioned parents could spend their future regretting not placing their child on medication. I often hear parents lament, “I only wish I knew when you were younger.”
I don’t believe ADHD is a disease, but a genetic trait that offered the group survival benefits in centuries past. They are hunters living in a farmer/accountant world. The long-term consequences of not treating ADD/ADHD can be devastating, and the only long-term effects of Ritalin discovered so far are a reduction in substance abuse, accidents and cancer.
A fair analogy is the parent of a fair skinned child trying desperately to avoid sunscreen use because of the lack of long-term studies on the safety of sunscreens, and wondering if diet, habits or magnets will change the child’s risk of getting sunburn.
While some with ADHD do respond to fruits and vegetables, it’s not that common, and likely reflects a dietary deficiency state. I’m not aware of any studies using magnets.
