Nutrient supplementation approaches in the treatment of ADHD

Julia J. Rucklidge, Jeanette Johnstone, Bonnie J. Kaplan

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

70 Scopus citations

Abstract

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic, debilitating psychiatric illness that often co-occurs with other common psychiatric problems. Although empirical evidence supports pharmacological and behavioral treatments, side effects, concerns regarding safety and fears about long-term use all contribute to families searching for alternative methods of treating the symptoms of ADHD. This review presents the published evidence on supplementation, including single ingredients (e.g., minerals, vitamins, amino acids and essential fatty acids), botanicals and multi-ingredient formulas in the treatment of ADHD symptoms. In most cases, evidence is sparse, mixed and lacking information. Of those supplements where we found published studies, the evidence is best for zinc (two positive randomized, controlled trials); there is mixed evidence for carnitine, pycnogenol and essential fatty acids, and more research is needed before drawing conclusions about vitamins, magnesium, iron, SAM-e, tryptophan and Ginkgo biloba with ginseng. To date, there is no evidence to support the use of St John's wort, tyrosine or phenylalanine in the treatment of ADHD symptoms. Multi-ingredient approaches are an intriguing yet under-researched area; we discuss the benefits of this approach considering the heterogeneous nature of ADHD.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)461-476
Number of pages16
JournalExpert Review of Neurotherapeutics
Volume9
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2009
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • ADHD
  • Botanicals
  • Carnitine
  • Essential fatty acids
  • Minerals
  • Nutrition
  • Pycnogenol
  • Supplements
  • Vitamins
  • Zinc

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Pharmacology (medical)

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