Food does more than just keep us from being hungry. What one chooses to eat can have a direct effect on feelings and behavior. The science of nutrition is gaining attention, because studies are appearing to show these connections. Scientists have recognized the importance of food in treating certain metabolic condition. For example, children with the condition phenylketonuria (PKU) can consume nothing that has the amino acid phenylalanine and must have a specific diet to control the disorder.

The study of nutrition and its role in ADHD is based on correlational studies. In a correlation study, the researcher has shown that statistically there has been a connection or statistical correlation between the ADHD and the entity of study. Correlation studies do not show cause and effect. It should be emphasized that the reader should take these studies for what they are- someone has shown a connection or correlation between two things. Correlation studies do not show cause and effect.

The following nutritional deficiencies have been correlated to learning disabilities and ADHD:

- Calcium deficiency.

- High serum copper.

- Iron deficiency can cause irritability and attention deficits.

- Magnesium deficiency may lead to fidgeting, anxiety, restlessness, psychomotor problems, and learning difficulties.

- Malnutrition in general is related to learning disabilities; the child does not have to look malnourished, a forgotten fact in affluent countries.

- Dyslexic children appear to have abnormal zinc and copper metabolism: low zinc and high copper.

- Iodine deficiencies have been linked to learning difficulties.

Likewise, the role of nutrition in treating ADHD is controversial. The mainstream medical community is ambivalent about the role of nutrition and generally does not regard nutrition as viable in reducing symptoms. However, a number of individuals promote the idea that if food contributes to ADHD, eliminating certain foods from the diet may relieve the symptoms.

Food as medicine dates back to Hippocrates who said, ''Let your food be your medicine, your medicine be your food.'' The proposition of the intake of food as being significant has basis in some scientific studies. Several studies indicate that children with ADHD are metabolically different from other children, and thus diet modification plays a role in the management. Several nutritional programs include the Feingold Diet; elimination of certain food additives; elimination of flavor enhancers, soft drinks, and sugar; safety issues with water; addition of certain essential fatty acids; herbal remedies; and keeping a balance of amino acids and proteins.

Perhaps the best know of dietary alternatives is the Feingold Diet, which involves removing salicylates (aspirin derivatives), artificial colors and flavors, and certain synthetic preservatives from children's diets. Benjamin F. Feingold, M.D., was Chief of the Allergy unity at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in San Francisco when he treated a belligerent patient with a severe case of hives. Suspecting that she was aspirin sensitive, he told her to eliminate aspirin and all foods that had additives similar to aspirin. Not only did the child's hives go away but her attitude also improved. This experience led him to eventually become convinced that diet and nutrition were important in treatment. He taught that if a person is sensitive to something, there could also be a behavioral effect. The Feingold Association of the United States provides information about this diet.

The second area that some researchers have connected to ADHD is that of food additives. The Department of National Health and Welfare defines a ''food additive'' as any substance or its byproducts, the use of which may affect the characteristics of foods. These additives are usually chemicals and are not spices, seasoning, and flavorings. About 10,000 additives are approved in the United States. They are usually connected with foods that have been highly processed and consequently are in nature high in calories and of less nutritional value. If a person is sensitive to such chemicals, behavior can be affected. A proponent of eliminating additives is Dr. Michael Lyon, author of Healing the Hyperactive Mind: Through the New Science of Functional Medicine. He points out that these are true sensitivities resulting from the reduced ability of the liver or other systems to detoxify the body. Eliminating manmade pesticides and food additives may reduce this toxic load on the brain.

Salt, pepper, and glutamic acid are the three most important flavor boosters in the United States. The popular form is monosodium glutamate (MSG). Although classified as a food additive, it has drug-like effects on some people. Glutamates and aspartate are closely related and are considered by some as powerful free radicals or substances that cause damage to the body. Eliminating food with MSG from the diets of some ADHD children who are sensitive has resulted in improvement in many problems.

Overconsumption of soft drinks may cause problems when these drinks replace healthy drinks such as low-fat milk and water. One of the problems identified here is the presence of phosphoric acid, which leaches calcium from bones and causes health problems. Excess sugar intake creates all sorts of problems including elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Water contaminated with arsenic, mercury, asbestos, aluminum, chlorine, fluorine, and Escherichia coli may be related to behavior problems. Plants are probably one of our oldest forms of food and nutritional supplements. These include oat straw, gotu kola, yellow jasmine, hops, St. John's wort, wild lettuce, German chamomile, passion flower, kava kava, and valerian.

Amino acids are considered the building blocks of life. They are nitrogenous organic acids that make the proteins that are part of the peptides and proteins of the body. Eight amino acids are essential for life: isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. A deficiency of an amino acid in a child or adult may cause problems such as ADHD.

In the 1980s vitamin B6 was promoted as a helpful remedy for children with learning difficulties including inattentiveness. In 2006 a study showed that children with autism had significantly lower magnesium than control subjects and that the correction of this deficit was helpful. Later zinc and multivitamins have been promoted as cures, and currently the addition of certain fatty acids such as omega-3 has been proposed as beneficial. Mild stimulants such as caffeine and theobromine may improve the function of some children who have ADHD.

Bibliography:

1) Ali, Elvis et al. 2001. The all-in-one-guide to ADD and hyperactivity. Niagara Falls, NY: AGES Publications.

2) Lyon, M. 2000. Healing the hyperactive mind: Through the new science of functional medicine. Calgary, AB, Canada: Focused Publishing.

3) Hersey, Jane, and Robert C. Lawlor. 1996. Why can't my child behave?: Why can't she cope? Why can't he learn? Alexandria, VA: Pear Tree Press.

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