Ironing Out ADHD?

We’ve long been told that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is caused by an imbalance of chemicals in the brain. Now new research suggests that a simple iron deficiency may contribute to that imbalance—and that supplementation may help correct it.

In a French study, children with ADHD had about 50 percent lower levels of ferritin (a protein that helps the brain bind iron) than non-ADHD kids of the same age. The lower the levels, the more severe the symptoms.

Lewis Mehl-Madrona, assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, recommends choosing an iron supplement specially formulated for children and starting with the lowest dose on the label. He suggests giving it along with 500 to 2,000 milligrams of vitamin C, depending on the child’s age, which helps the body absorb and use iron more effectively.

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