Multivitamins
Though
it has been suggested that vitamin and nutrient deficiencies can lead to
significant cognitive impairment and declined performance on intelligence
tests, the assumption that such supplementation may subsequently aid children
diagnosed with ADHD has not been proven with extensive and convincing research
data.H Adequate research studies with large sample sizes, sufficient
trial times and randomized controls appears lacking in the investigation of the
role of multivitamins in relation to ADHD.
Some studies have shown preliminary evidence of benefit for adults
taking multivitamin supplements to treat ADHD symptoms, yet caution to accept
efficacy is warranted due limitations such as small sample size and short-term
trials.I During an 8-week
trial, 14 adults diagnosed with ADHD were observed while taking a 36-ingredient
micronutrient formula.J Though results showed improvement of
symptoms, the effects are questionable at best due to the small sample size,
short trial length and method of evaluation (self, clinician and observer
reports).J In addition, researchers admitted that due to the
limitations of this study design, the outcome
“does not in itself prove efficacy”.J Research studies
involving children have been performed with some level of similarity, yet also
with notable limitations. A fully blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial
looked at 93 children with the ADHD diagnosis and tested the efficacy of
multivitamin supplementation on symptoms.K Results indicated that
subjects receiving vitamin and mineral supplementation improved in overall
function, including reduced impairment and improved attention but did not show
reduced levels of hyperactive and impulsive symptoms when compared with the
control group.K The researchers subsequently commented that,
“Although direct benefit for core ADHD symptoms was modest, with mixed findings
across raters, the low rate of adverse effects and the benefits reported across
multiple areas of functioning indicate micronutrients may be a favourable
option for some children, particularly those with both ADHD and emotional
dysregulation.”K Therefore, though these findings point to potential
benefit, they do not provide overwhelming evidence for efficacy at this time. In
addition, though some benefit was found, it was mild and did not address all
levels of the symptom profile, namely the hyperactive and impulsive actions
that frequently are the most challenging to deal with in such cases. Some
research studies have performed trials with ADHD-diagnosed children to
determine if deficiencies in vitamin and hormone levels exist. By investigating
deficiencies, such studies have attempted to suggest the importance of
supplementation in these populations. In a 2014 study of 77 kids, researchers
looked at levels of ferratin, vitamin D, vitamin B12, adrenal and gonadal
steroid levels, celiac antibodies, and thyroid hormones and antibodies.L Subjects
were divided into three groups: children with the ADHD diagnosis, children with
the Asperger’s diagnosis, and children with no diagnosis (control group).L
Deficiencies were found in both diagnosed categories when compared with
the control group, thus leading the researchers to conclude that vitamin D and
B12 supplements would benefit these populations.L Despite the
observed levels of deficiency, however, this study did not investigate the
outcome of ADHD-diagnosed children taking these vitamins, thus bringing into
question the validity of the claim of likely efficacy.
References
H. Benton D. Symposium on nutrition
and cognitive efficiency. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. 1992; 51:
295-302.
I. Rucklidge JJ, Framptom CM,
Gorman B, Boggis A. Vitamin-mineral treatment of attention-deficit
hyperactivity disorder in adults: double-blind randomised placebo-controlled
trial. The British Journal of Psychiatry. 2014; 204: 306-315.
J. Rucklidge JJ, Taylor M,
Whitehead K. Effect of micronutrients on behavior and mood in adults with ADHD:
evidence from an 8-week open label trial with natural extension. Journal of
Attention Disorders. 2011; 15:79-91.
K. Rucklidge JJ, Eggleston MJ,
Johnstone JM, Darling K, Frampton CM. Vitamin-mineral treatment improves
aggression and emotional regulation in children with ADHD: a fully blinded,
randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Journal of Child Psychology and
Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines. Published Online: October 2, 2017 (doi:
10.1111/jcpp.12817).
L. Bala KA, Dogan M, Mutluer T,
Aslan O, Dogan SZ. Hormone disorder and vitamin deficiency in attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Journal of
Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2016; 29: 1077-1082.
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