Although many people do not yet know this, there is a substantiated link between glucose and the symptoms of ADD and ADHD. Whereas medical science previously believed these conditions to necessitate prescription medication, it is possible to exercise some limited measure of control over ADD and ADHD through nothing more than dietary modifications. What follows are the basic facts you should understand about the link between glucose and ADHD, along with some tips for planning an effective nutritional strategy.

ADHD

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and is primarily recognized in individuals through symptoms such as excessive talking, inability to remain calm or focused, forgetfulness, and general impulsiveness. ADHD is a common disorder, affecting roughly three to five percent of children in school.

Glucose

Glucose is the body's primary source of fuel, and is typically derived from carbohydrates, although under certain circumstances it can also be manufactured from protein or fat. As food enters the system and is digested, it is converted into glucose which is sent out into the bloodstream and either utilized as energy or stored for later use.

Glucose and ADHD

A Yale study involving 28 children, 17 with ADHD and 11 in the control group, found that the children having ADHD were affected by changes in their blood glucose level to a greater extent than the control group. Following sugar consumption, inattention and impulsiveness were also increased to a greater extent in the ADHD children as opposed to the control group. This has led researchers to suggesting that you avoid consuming excessive sugar or substantially elevating your glucose levels (especially in the absence of protein) if you have ADHD.

ADHD Diet and Glucose

The ADHD diet seems to intuitively grasp this idea by suggesting that you have your ADHD child first tested for gluten sensitivity, as the incidence rate of gluten sensitivity is much higher among individuals with ADHD than among the general population. As excessive sensitivity to gluten would result in a larger blood sugar spike, you can see how this might lead to exacerbated symptoms of ADHD.

Following the ADHD Diet

The other precepts of the ADHD Diet are as follows: consume organic food wherever possible, avoid high mercury containing fish like swordfish and shark, add omega-3 supplementation, and consume a daily multi-vitamin. When this advice is put into play with the research recommending against sugar consumption for ADHD individuals, you can go a long way towards controlling this disorder with just a few simple dietary modifications.

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