A new study has very hopeful and hopeful news for parents of children with ADHD. Researchers have found that a simple supplement of essential vitamins and minerals — not too different from a multivitamin — can help a large number of children with a variety of ADHD symptoms. For the approximately 6 million children in the United States with ADHD, this may be a very safe and relatively side-effect-free option.
The study, published in the latest issue of the American Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (JAACAP), was a triple-blind, randomized study of how simple vitamins and minerals affected behavior and symptoms in 135 6-year-olds.12 years old, diagnosed with ADHD. One group took a “broad-spectrum micronutrient supplement containing all known vitamins and essential minerals,” while the other group took a placebo. The study lasted eight weeks when none of the children were on ADHD medication.
Result? According to their parents, children taking micronutrients reported three times as much improvement in their ADHD symptoms (54% vs. 18%), and more than half of those taking supplements showed significant improvement.
Specifically, parents of children who took the supplements reported a “significant or very” improvement in their behavior in anxiety, aggression, irritability, mood regulation, sleep, and anger.
“Supplementation with all known vitamins and essential minerals, at doses between the recommended daily intake and tolerated upper limit, may improve mood and concentration in children with ADHD and mood disorders,” said lead author, National Nature Dr. Janet Johnstone, assistant professor of medicine at the University, told Science Daily.
“These findings may provide guidance for physicians and families seeking comprehensive treatment for children with ADHD and related mood disorders,” noted Dr. Johnstone.
The study also found that the kids who took the supplement grew taller than those who took the placebo — after adjusting for baseline height, they found that the kids who took the vitamin were 6mm taller than the other kids.
“The growth findings, which were also replicated from previous studies of micronutrients in children, are particularly encouraging because height suppression is an issue with first-line ADHD medications,” added Dr. Johnstone.
Since about one-third of children do not respond to current first-line treatments, and others report side effects, finding another viable treatment option for ADHD may help a large number of children.
“No treatment is 100 percent effective for all people with ADHD,” said L. Eugene Arnold, MD, professor emeritus of psychiatry and behavioral health at The Ohio State University. “For example, about 2/ 3 Responded to the first stimulant medication tried, an established first-line treatment for ADHD, despite mood, appetite, and growth side effects. It is, therefore, encouraging that half of the children responded to this Drug reactions are relatively safe to treat.”
Still, the authors note that further research is needed, such as investigating why vitamins and minerals can help children with ADHD, and what more specific behaviors they affect.
Post time: May-10-2022