If you suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) but have been hesitant to try traditional medical treatment, you may be interested to know that there are a variety of natural treatments for ADHD available.  You can manage your ADHD by modifying your diet, adding exercise the routine, and taking certain supplements and herbs.  By using these techniques, you may be able to avoid traditional stimulant medications entirely.

Diet

Patients who suffer from ADHD often see dramatic differences after making a few dietary changes.  You might consider cutting out sugar and white flour as a first step.  These simple carbohydrates provide the body with a great deal of energy, but very little nutritional substance.  Instead, replace them with complex carbohydrates and natural sweeteners such as honey, maple syrup, or stevia.

You may also find relief by cutting out artificial colors and flavorings.  Some people are incredibly sensitive to these chemicals, and find a quick adverse reaction when consumed. Children are especially susceptible, as they have not had time to develop immunity to the reaction.

Exercise

Many ADD patients find that adding aerobic exercise to their daily routine dramatically improves their symptoms.  For some patients, exercise serves to burn off excess energy and is as useful as medication.  If you’d like to try this technique, began by adding 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three times per week.  If you find that it improves your symptoms, you may want to make this exercise part of your daily routine.

Working with a trainer to develop a work out routine would be beneficial. Targeted resistance training will give your body to chance to burn off excess energy.

Supplements

There are several supplements that are highly effective in treating ADHD.  Zinc, Omega 3′s, and 5-HTP are all extremely useful for treating ADHD symptoms naturally. They can all be found in your health food or grocery store, and most are relatively inexpensive.

Zinc has been proven to be help with ADHD. Recent research suggests that ADD may be triggered or affected by a zinc deficiency.  Some studies show that children with ADD who were given zinc supplements noticed improvements in thought and focus, as well as a reduction in hyperactivity. If you’d like to try zinc supplementation, consult your doctor to find out if the supplement will interact with any current medication. Your doctor will also be able to provide a correct therapeutic dose You may also have some success by adding zinc rich foods, such as red meat, seafood, and fortified cereals to your diet.

Omega 3′s, such as those found in fish oil and flax seed oil, are also extremely beneficial in treating ADHD.  Omega 3′s work to improve brain function, and can help to regulate the mood swings and impulsivity that ADHD patients often experience. To add Omega 3′s, you can either take a supplement such as fish oil or flax seed oil, or you can add more fatty fish to your diet.

Five HTP is an excellent supplement for reducing the stress and irritability that can be caused by ADHD.  If you find that you or your child are regularly plagued by mood swings, anger, or irritability related to your ADHD, 5 HTP may be a good supplement to add to your regimen.

Herbs

There are also several herbal remedies that you can add to your diet to help improve ADHD symptoms.  Lack of focus, difficulty concentrating, and anxiety can all be controlled with herbal treatments.  Most herbal remedies are available in a variety of forms, including teas, capsules, tinctures, and infusions.

Ginseng is an herb that has been used for centuries to improve concentration.  If you struggle with inattentive ADD and find it difficult to focus, you may see an improvement in symptoms after adding a ginseng supplement to your diet.  Be sure to purchase a high-quality ginseng supplement; you may have better results by purchasing from your local health food store, where you can inquire about the quality of the product.

Gingko is another ancient herb that is extremely useful for improving focus and concentration. While it doesn’t control hyperactivity, ADHD patients may find their ability to focus is dramatically improved after supplementation with this herb.

Settling on the right and natural treatment for your ADHD symptoms takes time.  However, with a little bit of trial and error, you will soon have a natural treatment program that works well to manage your symptoms.