March 19, 2019
Can Supplements improve hyperactivity, attention and impulsivity?
People with ADHD often lack magnesium and zinc and supplement of these vitamins may improve hyperactivity, impulsivity, attention and memory.
People with ADHD often lack magnesium and zinc and supplement of these vitamins may improve hyperactivity, impulsivity, attention and memory.
Several studies have shown that, at large, people with ADHD have less magnesium (Mg) and zinc (Zn) in their bodies than the control groups that don’t have ADHD. One research, conducted in 2017, found a significant difference between the control group and the group of people with ADHD. They concluded that 10% of people in the control group had Mg and Zn deficiency while 65% and 70% of the group of people with ADHD had Mg and Zn deficiency (1). All of the researches we reference in this blog post had similar results.
Research shows that calcium, magnesium and zinc are deficient in the tissue mineral analyses of many ADHD children. Supplementation with these minerals alone may help improve levels of hyperactivity, attention and impulsivity.
Zinc is a vital component of the nervous system and neurotransmitters. Zinc is an important cofactor for more than 300 other nutrients which support the growth and development.
Magnesium deficiency can affect cognitive ability and processing, and may result in mood swings, fatigue and concentration challenges. Experts of ADHD hypothesize that people with ADHD might have a magnesium deficiency as well. Moreover, magnesium can improve sleep disturbance many with ADHD experience, which may positively affect attention (1).
“Apart from Zn and Mg, concentrations of iron (Fe) are also implicated in the metabolism of neurotransmitters, thereby proving beneficial in neuro developmental disorders. [...] Deficiency of Fe in childhood has shown to affect development of the central nervous system, leading to behavioral [challenges]” (2).
The levels of minerals especially Zn, Mg and Fe in the blood of ADHD children have shown to be lower than their control group. Though additional studies are warranted, supplementations to a healthy diet have proved to be beneficial (2).
The levels of minerals especially Zn, Mg and Fe in the blood of ADHD children have shown to be lower than their control group. Though additional studies are warranted, supplementations to a healthy diet have proved to be beneficial (2)
In a study that included people with ADHD and magnesium deficiency, it was researched how they would be affected with a magnesium supplementation, while a control group didn’t get that supplement. The results showed a clear improvement in attention, working memory, and visual processing (4).
Please ask a doctor before adding supplements to your diet. You can request a blood test to see the levels of vitamins and minerals in your body and therefore find deficiencies. An alternative solution would be to include foods in your diet that contains magnesium, zinc and iron.
If you choose to do so, you can look into these few categories that contain Mg, Fe, Zn (4).
Greens: Cooked Spinach (37%), Cooked Swiss chard (36%), Cooked Lima Beans (30%), Kale (18%), Artichokes (18%), Cooked Green Peas (15%), Mashed Sweet Potatoes (15%), Collard Greens (10%), turnip greens (8%).
Beans: Edamame (35%), Firm Tofu (35%), Lima Beans (30%), white beans (29%), black beans (29%), Mungo Beans (27%), Baked beans (26%), black-eyed peas (22%), Canned Refried Beans (22%), Pinto Beans (20%), kidney beans (19%), chickpeas (19%), lentils (17%).
Nuts & Seeds: Hemp seeds (47%), Squash and Pumpkin seeds (40%), flax seeds (27%), Brazil Nuts (25%), sesame seeds (24%), chia seeds (23%), Dry Cashews (20%), Almonds (18%), Dry Roasted Peanuts (12%).
Cooked Grains: Uncooked Oats (66%), Quinoa (28%), spelt (23%), Brown Rice (20%), Buckwheat (20%), Bulgur(14%), wild rice (12%), whole wheat pasta (15%), Oatmeal (15%)
Fruit: Dried Figs (24%), Prunes (21%), Apricots (19%), Dates (16%), Zante Currants (15%), Avocados (14%), Raisins (14%), Bananas (10%)
Greens: Cooked Shiitake mushrooms (18%), Cooked Green Beans (17%), Peas (16%), Bamboo Shoots 15%, Cooked Spinach (12%), Cooked White button Mushrooms (12%).
Beans: Canned Baked Beans (53%), Firm Tofu (36%), Cooked Lentils (23%), Cooked Chickpeas (23%), Coocked large white beans (22%), Black-eyed peas 20%, Edamame (19%), Split peas (18%), black beans (18%), Kidney beans (16%), Mungo Beans (15%).
Nuts and seeds: Hemp Seeds (26%), Squash and Pumpkin seeds (20%), Pine nuts (17%), Dry Roasted Cashews (14%), Sunflower seeds (14%), Chia Seeds (12%), Flax seeds (11%), Brazil Nuts (10%).
Cooked Grains: Uncooked Oats (56%), Uncooked Buckwheat (37%), oatmeal (21%), Wild Rice (20%), Quinoa (18%), Whole Weat Pasta (14%), Long-grain rice (13%), Barley (12%), Brown Rice (11%).
Fruit: California Avocados (14%), Mammy Apple (8%), Blackberries (7%), Pomegranates (6%), Raspberries (5%), Guavas (3%).
Greens: Morel Mushrooms (45%), Cooked Spinach (36%), Lemon Grass (30%), Canned Tomato Puree (25%), Cooked Swiss Chard (22%), Kimchi (21%), Mashed Sweet Potatoes (19%), Cooked Turnip Greens (16%), Asparagus (16%).
Beans: Large White Beans (37%), Soybeans (49%), Lentils (37%), Kidney beans (29%), Garbanzo beans (Chickpeas) (26%), and Lima beans (25%), Navy (24%), Black Beans (Frijoles Negros) (20%), Pinto (20%), and Black-eyed Peas (20%). Nuts and seeds: Squash and Pumpkin seeds (14%), Sesame (23%), Sunflower (11%), and Flax (9%), Cashews (9%), Pine nuts (9%), Hazelnuts (7%), Peanuts (7%), Almonds (7%), Pistachios (7%), and Macadamia (6%).
Cooked Grains: Uncooked Oats (41%), Uncooked Buckwheat (21%), Spelt (18%), Quinoa (15%), Egg Noodles (13%), Oatmeal (12%), Barley (12%), Rice (11%), Bulgur (10%).
Dried fruit: Apricots (42%), Peaches (36%), Prunes (26%), Figs (17%), Raisins (17%), and Apples (7%).
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