Holistic Treatment of ADHD

If your child or someone you care about has been diagnosed with ADHD, you may be familiar with interactions like these during your medical doctor’s visits:

Patient: My child is having difficulty sitting still and focusing. He is hyperactive during school, and constantly fidgeting while in class. The teachers tell me he is having difficulty keeping up with his school work because of this. 

Medical Doctor: Your child has ADHD. Your treatment will require medical drugs which will most likely include amphetamines.

Patient: My child is not reacting well to these medical drugs, he has trouble falling asleep at night, he is not eating well, and overall, just does not seem like himself. I also notice that he is more moody, irritable, and complains of stomach aches when taking these drugs. Will continuing these medications help cure his ADHD?

Medical Doctor: If these medications aren’t working, we have different medications, but none of them are guaranteed to work and all of them have potential side effects. At the end of the day, they can only decrease symptoms, not cure the disorder. 

Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD can be a difficult experience for parents and children alike. Unfortunately, these interactions with your medical doctor can leave parents feeling confused, frustrated, discouraged, and even hopeless.

Understanding ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurological disorder that affects how one pays attention and controls behavior. It has a U.S pediatric prevalence of 8-10%. Some of the common symptoms include inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity, and difficulty regulating emotions (1). This number seems to be on the rise, with significant increases over the last 10 years (2). 

Holistic Treatment for ADHD 

Rather than immediately resorting to prescription medication to decrease symptoms, many parents are seeking holistic measures to help resolve their children’s ADHD symptoms. Similarly to other health conditions, diet and lifestyle are key factors to consider. Doing so at a young age also sets a healthy foundation for children, hopefully guiding them to continue a journey that leads to a life of vibrant health and balance. 

In terms of diet, the gut microbiome (microbiota) is a key player. The term refers to the billions of microbes, such as bacteria, colonizing the human gut- which in this case is referred to as the microbiome, or the environment where all these microbes live (3). Studies have suggested a strong relationship between the gut microbiome and the central nervous system, with evidence that proper diversity of the microbiota can help support brain health for disorders such as autism and ADHD (4).

Some studies have suggested the following for supporting and improving the gut microbiome:

-Eat a diverse and colorful diet of fruits and vegetables (the more, the better!)

– Take probiotics, which introduce beneficial bacteria into the microbiome, and eat foods rich in probiotics, such as fermented foods (e.g. sauerkraut, kimchi, coconut kefir, kombucha, yogurt, and miso).

-Take a DHA supplement (part of the Omega 3 complex), and eat foods rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, such as fish, walnuts, chia, and flax seeds. 

-Avoid sugar, artificial sweeteners, white flour, processed foods and oils, and high-fructose corn syrup- as these are excitatory to the brain and nervous system and may increase inflammation in the body, brain, and nervous system. 

According to the principles of holistic medicine, only the treatments that address the underlying causes of ADHD will have lasting health results.

Some of the major underlying causes of ADHD can include:

– Environmental toxins (such as those from water, air, food, plastics, and pesticides) 

-Viruses (especially the Epstein-Barr Virus)

– Candida overgrowth 

-Emotional trauma and stress

-Diet and lifestyle 

-Mold toxicity

-Heavy metal toxicity 

-Food sensitivities

-Leaky Gut

-Mycotoxins

In addition to the above-mentioned underlying causes, restful sleep is critical for restoring the health and balance of the brain and nervous system, as the brain does most of its growth and repair work while we are engaged in high quality sleep. Reducing screen time before bed can help improve the overall quality of sleep as can eating a diet to support the gut microbiome.

Furthermore, a holistic approach for ADHD is based on the principle that the body and brain have an innate ability to heal and can do so if given the proper support. It also helps put ADHD into a context where it can be resolved with proper lifestyle and nutritional changes- rather than an abstract neurological disorder whose symptoms can merely be medicated. Framing ADHD in this way should serve to provide parents and children with the possibility that they can heal.

The following questions are important components of a holistic program to consider. Doing so provides an understanding of the root causes, placing patients on the path to healing. 

-What foods help to facilitate healing?

-What foods should be avoided?

-What lifestyle changes will facilitate healing?

-What detoxification practices help to rid the body and brain of toxins?

-What stress reduction practices help to bring balance to an overstimulated system?

-What supplements or homeopathic remedies to address the underlying causes?

-What specific tests are needed to identify underlying causes?

-What educational materials are helpful to understand the healing process?

In analyzing the profound connection between the underlying causes of ADHD , we can truly see how impactful an integrated, holistic approach can be. This is true for people of all ages, but can be especially impactful if implemented at a young age. Small changes from the time a child is young can lead to large changes in health down the line, especially for neuro-diverse populations.

How to Get Started with Your Holistic Program for ADHD

At my practice in Manhattan, New York City, I use the principles of homeopathy, holistic medicine, and functional medicine to focus on finding and addressing the underlying causes of your ADHD. All my personalized programs are clearly written and designed to be easy to follow. Plus, the day you start following your personal treatment program, you are truly starting your healing journey!

To schedule an appointment, or if you have any questions, please call us at (212) 475-2222 or email us at drsalzarulo@gmail.com.