Introduction

This information is for people who have a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It looks at whether vitamin and mineral supplements and special diets can help with ADHD.

Do they work

We haven't looked at the research on supplements and special diets in the same detail we have for the other treatments we cover. But we've included some information because you may have heard of these treatments or be interested in them.

Some studies suggest that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be linked to what a child eats. Overall, the evidence for this is not convincing. However, one study on fatty acid supplements had promising results.

Some experts suggest that children with ADHD need extremely high levels of certain vitamins or minerals. But when children were given 10 times the normal dose of vitamin and mineral supplements, their symptoms of ADHD did not improve.^[131]

Very high doses of certain vitamins can be dangerous. If you are considering supplements for your child, check with your doctor first.

If your child is taking any medicine, it's best to check with your doctor before giving them supplements. High doses of some minerals and vitamins can stop drugs working properly.

These are called essential fatty acids because it's essential that you get them from food. Your body cannot make them. Some studies have found that children with ADHD have lower levels of essential fatty acids (EFAs) than other children.^[131]

One study on fatty acids supplements for children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) had promising results.^[132] Some of the symptoms of DCD are the same as some of those in ADHD. Children with DCD can have poor attention and behaviour. Some children are diagnosed with both DCD and ADHD. In theory, a treatment that helps children with DCD may be able to help children with ADHD. The study looked at 117 children with DCD.

During the study, some children were given a supplement to take while others took a dummy treatment (a placebo). After three months, the children given the placebo were also given the supplements.

The supplements used in the study contained the fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6. These fatty acids are found naturally in oily fish, such as mackerel and herring, soya beans, walnuts and olives, sunflowers, corn and evening primrose oils.

While the children were taking the supplements, their reading, spelling and behaviour were found to improve.

It is important to remember that none of these children had been diagnosed with ADHD, so more research is needed before we can decide if supplements of fatty acids can help.

Evening primrose oil (a source of EFAs) might improve the symptoms of ADHD. But there's not enough good research to be certain.^[131]