Niacin and ADHD have been in the news lately. You may have read that children with ADHD are deficient in this vitamin. If you’re wondering if supplementing your child’s diet with this niacin (vitamin B3) will help treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, read this article to learn more about this vitamin and the best way to give it to your child .
ADHD Niacin – What is Niacin and Why is it Helpful?
Niacin or vitamin B3 is one of the B complex vitamins. Critical to proper brain function and energy production is the release of serotonin by niacin in the brain. If your child’s brain doesn’t produce enough serotonin, they may suffer from lethargy and lack of energy.
B vitamins are abundant in tuna, seeds (such as sunflower and pumpkin seeds), sprouts, watercress, tomatoes, and bananas. If your child is not eating a balanced diet or is not consuming enough of these foods, you may want to consider supplementing them.
Niacin and ADHD – dosage recommendations
Give your child a dietary supplement containing 25-50 mg of niacin or vitamin B3. If your child is also overweight along with ADHD, this vitamin will help because it helps control blood sugar levels.
A warning about giving your child niacin: Instead of giving them a niacin supplement, give it in the form of a B complex vitamin, which provides your child with all the essential B vitamins in a balanced form that meets the recommended daily allowance and supplements. Studies have shown that children with ADHD are also deficient in other B vitamins such as thiamine or vitamin B1.
Because nutritional deficiencies can be at the root of ADHD and the resulting brain dysfunction, it’s best to give your child a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement.
Niacin and ADHD and a healthy diet
Of course, vitamins cannot compensate for a wrong diet. Make sure your child is drinking plenty of water and eating a diet consisting of natural foods like whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, fresh fruits and vegetables (especially dark leafy greens), and lean proteins like fish, chicken, and turkey. It’s also helpful to supplement your child’s diet with omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for heart and brain health.
While this may seem like a lot of work, you need to remember that food is our medicine and that immunity and proper brain function actually begin in the gut, where good food provides the nutrients to keep our bodies running efficiently and at their best.
ADHD, niacin and homeopathic remedies
In addition to the above recommendations, you may want to consider a homeopathic remedy that is specifically formulated to treat the symptoms of ADHD such as restlessness, restlessness, hyperactivity, and an inability to stay on task or concentrate. These remedies are used in place of prescription drugs and are actually much more effective.
Homeopathic remedies work to suppress the symptoms of ADHD while healing the brain at the cellular level, restoring optimal brain function over time. Being all-natural, they have no side effects and do not interact with other medications your child may be taking.
Look for a homeopathic remedy that contains Hyoscyamus, which has been shown to reduce bothersome outbursts, relieve over-excitability and restlessness. Other herbs like Verta Alb and Arsenic Iodine help calm and soothe your child so they can focus and their brain can begin to heal. I cannot stress enough the importance of taking a supplement like this.
So there you have it. While niacin and ADHD Partners in the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, this B-3 vitamin alone is not enough. Also, provide your child with a healthy diet that includes a multivitamin and mineral supplement and a homeopathic remedy specifically formulated to suppress the symptoms of ADHD and heal the dysfunction that led to ADHD.
Thanks to Laura Ramirez
