Effects of a few food diet in attention deficit disorder.

Abstract

In the absence of clear confirmation or refutation of the results of the earlier study and in an attempt to meet some of the criticisms, we undertook the current study using a similar design, but with improved methodology and clearly defined outcome measures. MethodsChildren were referred by general practitioners, paediatricians, and psychiatrists to a special diet and behaviour clinic set up at the Hospital for Sick Children. All children accepted for the study met DSM III criteria for attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity,10 were between 3 and 12 years old, and had IQs above 70. Where children were already on diets their parents were asked to take them off the diet for a week before the initial interview.

Effect of docosahexaenoic acid-containing food administration on symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder — a placebo-controlled double-blind study

“…In order to determine if DHA-rich fish oil could reduce AD/HD symptoms, a study with capsules might have been simpler and less confounded. Taken into account that even normal foods, like milk, soy, peanut butter or wheat, can provoke AD/HD symptoms (Carter et al, 1993), the vehicles used in the present study (bread, spaghetti and fermented soybean milk) might have exerted a confounding effect. However, we are very sure that most parents of the AD/HD children in the present study would not have agreed to participate in the study if capsules had been used instead, because they look very much like medication.…”

Is there a future for restricted elimination diets in ADHD clinical practice?

“…The role of food in ADHD has been investigated since 1985 in several restricted elimination diet (RED) studies. A restricted elimination diet is commonly used to identify food intolerance and involves a temporary (2-5 weeks) total change of diet, in which the patient is only allowed to eat a few different hypoallergenic foods (including rice, turkey, lettuce, pears, and water) [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. The rationale for this diet is that a patient may show adverse reactions to any foods.…”

A randomised controlled trial into the effects of food on ADHD

“…Dietary studies using a few foods diet, i.e. a restricted elimination diet consisting of a limited number of foods [7,8,14,17,25,26], have shown evidence of efficacy in subgroups selected for history of food sensitivity or atopic constitution [2]. A Dutch open pilot study in which 40 children with ADHD followed a few foods diet [23], resulted in a reduction of at least 50% in the symptom scores on rating scales completed by parents and teachers in 62% of the subjects.…”