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Review
. 2022 Dec 20:119:110613.
doi: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2022.110613. Epub 2022 Aug 12.

Is there a place for dietetic interventions in adult ADHD?

Vitor Breda  1 , Raphael O Cerqueira  2 , Gilciane Ceolin  3 , Elena Koning  4 , Jennifer Fabe  5 , Alexandra McDonald  6 , Fabiano A Gomes  7 , Elisa Brietzke  8
Affiliations
Review

Is there a place for dietetic interventions in adult ADHD?

Vitor Breda et al. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. .

Abstract

Current treatments for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults are limited by lack of response and side effects in about one third of the individuals. Changes towards a healthier lifestyle could have a positive impact beyond the relief of specific symptoms. However, it is not clear if nutritional interventions influence mental health and cognition. The objective of this study was to summarize the available literature addressing the impact of different diets in ADHD. The most promising dietetic approaches in ADHD are diets considered to be healthy (Mediterranean-type; DASH) and the Few-Foods Diet for children. Studies should take into account the presence of multiple confounders, biases associated with difficulties in blinding participants and researchers, and search for possible mechanisms of action, so we can have better evidence to guide clinical mental care of adults with ADHD.

Keywords: ADHD; Adult ADHD; Cognition; Diet; Lifestyle; Nutrition.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Competing Interest J.F. is a practicing registered dietitian in ketogenic diet therapy at Hamilton Health Sciences. She is also clinical director and co-developer of the KetoSuite digital application tools.