5 New Food Categories Linked to ADHD

Does the typical Western Diet diet increase the risk of ADHD? According to a new study from Perth's Telethon Institute for Child Health Research it does. Food additives have long been a known link, but the culprits have broadened to include:

1. Fast Food
2. Processed Meats
3. Red Meat
4. High Fat Dairy Products
5. Sweets

Wendy Oddy, Associate Professor at the institute explains, "a Western dietary pattern may indicate the adolescent has a less optimal fatty acid profile, whereas a diet higher in omega-3 fatty acids is thought to hold benefits for mental health and optimal brain function. It also may be that the Western dietary pattern doesn’t provide enough essential micronutrients that are needed for brain function, particularly attention and concentration, or that a Western diet might contain more colours, flavours and additives that have been linked to an increase in ADHD symptoms. It may also be that impulsivity, which is a characteristic of ADHD, leads to poor dietary choices such as quick snacks when hungry."

Source: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/5-foods-linked-to-adhd.html?page=2