A recent study offers encouraging insights for parents of children with ADHD. Researchers have identified that a straightforward supplement containing essential vitamins and minerals—similar to a multivitamin—can significantly aid many kids experiencing various ADHD symptoms. This represents a safe and relatively side-effect-free alternative for the approximately six million children in the United States living with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Published in the latest issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (JAACAP), the study employed a triple-blind, randomized design to assess the effects of these vitamins and minerals on the behaviors and symptoms of 135 children aged 6-12 diagnosed with ADHD. One group received a comprehensive micronutrient supplement, while a control group was given a placebo. The eight-week study found that three times as many children taking the micronutrients reported improvements in their ADHD symptoms—54 percent compared to 18 percent in the placebo group. Over half of the children who received the supplement exhibited significant behavioral improvements, as noted by their parents. These improvements were particularly evident in areas such as anxiety, aggression, irritability, emotional regulation, sleep, and anger.
“Supplementing with all known vitamins and essential minerals, in doses between the Recommended Daily Allowance and Upper Tolerable Limit, may enhance mood and focus in children with ADHD and emotional dysregulation,” stated lead author Dr. Emily Carter, an Assistant Professor at the National University of Natural Medicine. The study’s results echoed findings from a similar research conducted in New Zealand, which is very promising. “These insights could guide families and healthcare professionals seeking integrative treatments for children with ADHD and related emotional issues,” Dr. Carter added.
Interestingly, the study also revealed that children taking the supplements experienced greater growth compared to those on the placebo—after adjusting for baseline height, the supplement group grew 6 mm taller. “This growth finding is especially encouraging, given the concern regarding height suppression associated with first-line ADHD medications,” Dr. Carter noted.
Since around one-third of children do not respond to existing primary treatments, and some report adverse effects, identifying another viable ADHD treatment option could greatly benefit many kids. “No single treatment is effective for everyone with ADHD,” emphasized study author Dr. Mark Lewis, Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health at Ohio State University. “For instance, about two-thirds respond to the first stimulant medication tried, which is an established treatment but can have emotional, appetite, and growth side effects. Therefore, it’s uplifting that a considerable number of children responded positively to this relatively safe approach.”
However, researchers stress the need for further investigations to understand why these vitamins and minerals are effective for children with ADHD and which specific behaviors they influence.
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In summary, the study indicates that a simple vitamin and mineral supplement could significantly improve ADHD symptoms in many children, presenting a promising alternative for those who do not respond well to existing treatments. Further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms behind these benefits.
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