Side Effects of Bad Nutrition with ADHD

Antoinette McKnight

Grand Canyon University

Course Number: ENG-105

Rebecca Foy

7/13/2022

Side effects of bad nutrition with ADHD

When do you think of nutrition what comes to mind? When it comes to Attention -Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have you ever included the importance of nutrition for functioning? We read articles all the time about how mediation and therapy help with living with ADHD, but never looked at how nutrition can affect brain functions too. What we eat affects physical activity levels, and our sleeping habits as well. Regardless of whether medication is part of your child’s treatment, maximizing these basic needs like nutrition, exercise, and sleep can effectively harness their power as natural remedies for ADHD (Sandy Newmark, M.D March 2022).

Nutrition with children living with ADHD if not practiced right has it downfalls. Of course, we all should have balanced nutrition in our lives, but when you are living with Attention -Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder it can cause more damage than you know. Deficiencies in certain types of food can worsen symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) For example, the consumption of sugar not only affects diabetes patients but also ADHD patients too. Sugar can affect the ability of children to be more destructive and restless if too much is consumed. If not controlled it can cause hyperactive behavior which includes squirming in their seats, jigging their feet, tapping pencils and excessive talking. For example, the child’s glycemic (GI) if not monitored if controlled can affect their energy level over the day which causes irritability. Fidgety, or a nervous child who can’t focus. Poor nutrition not only affecst the brain but the body as well from properly functioning.

Exercise should be a part of everyone’s daily routine, especially for children with ADHD. The effects of not exercising can cause someone with ADHD and increase their dopamine levels, which increases focus and attention. ADHD can make it hard to pay attention, control emotions, and even finish tasks. With out exercise the brain can’t release chemicals called neurotransmitters which includes dopamine the helps with attention and clear thinking.

Sleep especially for children is critical if they have ADHD and are already a high-risk level for sleep problems. Not enough sleep affects their behavior, attention, and mood. The processing of learning also plays a huge role in getting proper sleep. Studies show that we consolidate what we learn as we sleep.

When you read and get the history of Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) the most common thing that may come to mind is medication for control. We as parents, educators, and teachers need to dig deep into how to live with it, deal with it and control this disorder with other outlets. Receiving proper nutrition, exercise and sleep are the three basic components of a better brain function to cope with daily activities.

References

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