I just read a very good article by Dr. Eleanor Rolnick about a decade long Norwegian study involving 23 children with ADHD who were put on milk free and gluten free diets. The theory that milk and gluten interfere with the breakdown of certain proteins was developed by Dr. Karl Ludvig. The theory is a metabolic predicament which seems to be triggered when eating milk and gluten and therefore may accelerate ADHD. 22 of the children in the study showed almost immediate mental health improvement, overall behavior, as well as enhanced attention span with increased learning capabilities!
“Long term monitoring of these children has found their disorders to be manageable while the challenges they once faced have virtually disappeared.” – www.keepmecurrent.com
So, what do I think of this? Actually, I must concur with the results of this study, with the results of my own recent diet change! It has been long noted that after eating is when kids usually have the most problems and so it was noted with me too, when looking back in time. That, I believe, is why we blame so many problems on sugar, even though it has been disproven that sugar is the culprit. Many still believe sugar to be the main issue, but that is because problems seem to occur most frequently after meals! In some cases, with allergies for example, it might not be obvious because symptoms can occur hours or even a day or two later.
I was having more serious issues a few months ago and my symptoms were escalating. I talked about it with a good friend of mine, Gina Pera, and she recommended asking Dr. Charles Parker about it. You may remember a recent post I did with Dr. Charles Parker when I interviewed him. He knew right away that my symptoms went further than ADHD symptoms and were indicative of a metabolic issue. He asked me about gluten and milk specifically. Turns out I am allergic to wheat and dairy products. Furthermore, because of where I live, I was vitamin D deficient!
I have nearly eliminated gluten and dairy products from my diet. And I feel much better. As a matter of fact so many issues I was suffering from have either gone away or have significantly improved! What I appreciate most in this diet is that my mood is so much more even. I am able to think things through much better and see the good in things I might not have noticed before. The improvement from eliminating gluten and dairy products is nothing short of remarkable. Yes, I still have ADHD, but it is far more manageable and the positive sides of ADHD are easier to access now!
A good place to visit and learn more is Dr. Charles Parker’s blog. He has written quite a bit about ADHD and metabolic issues. The original article about this Norwegian study can be found here.
Please, remember that I am only relating my personal experience and it is important to see a doctor before making any diet changes or other health related changes. Milk is also known to be good for those who do not have dairy/milk allergies or other negative health issues concerning milk.
Have you tried any such diet changes? What were the results?
~Bryan
~~> If you enjoyed this post, plz share it via icons below. Scroll down to comment too :) Join us on the > ADHD Network < Also, enjoy this free ebook:
Bryan,
Thanks for your kind remarks, the excellent Norwegian reference and the interesting discussion about your own challenges with diet and ADD.
I do find it interesting that people can jump on the food allergy issue, and find significant positive results – even without testing – if serious problems persist medically,- even tho they may appear low grade, chronic, and something you have had to *simply adjust to.*
So many folks have challenges with immune dysregulation [allergies to specific antigens] that actually can, over time, diminish brain function as they directly can effect brain tissue, with deterioration of the myelin sheath on nerve cells.
Many of these problems, depending on the severity, don’t show until later years, but can have a history dating back to early childhood, even before birth with exposure to maternal antibody activities whilst intrauterine.
I will be writing considerably more on this immune dysfunction with ADD phenomenon over at http://www.corepsychblog.com and plan interviews with some national thought leaders on my podcast site, so please do go over and sign up over there for email updates.
When you go over there also go to *Useful Resources* under my picture at CorePsych Tool Kit on the site, and download the excellent 39 page paper on the best definitive [ELISA - and not all ELISA testing is the same] testing to see which antigens are the ones specifically causing the problems. The testing is reimbursed by all the carriers we have used in the US, [have folks had some other *antigenic surprises* posted there following ELISA testing - one remarkable story on the blog about corn, etc.]
Some symptom points to consider in historical findings:
Immune system problems hit many organ systems from brain to joints/bones and often several at at a time, from adrenals, to thyroid, to glucose regulation… but the three main areas of body contact with outside world are:
1. The entire GI tract with picky eaters, bowel and stomach problems leading the list: diarrhea, constipation, GERD, or all of these together.
2. The respiratory system: chronic ear infections, coughs, colds, tonsils, snoring, sleep apnea, pneumonia, bronchitis, chronic wheezing, asthma, etc.
3. The skin: Psoriasis, rashes, acne, dermatitis etc.
All of these problems can also be related to hormone changes with estrogen dominance, andropause in males, Polycystic Ovaries, adrenal fatigue, and multiple symptoms with women hormonally including fibrocystic breasts.
If someone has any of these problems and is troubled by chronic fatigue, ADD, depression refractory to meds, and finding the therapeutic window where the psych meds just doesn’t seem possible – immune system issues should be on the radar and precisely measured.
Do see that reference above noted at my blog… very useful and comprehensive information on this subject – by Dr Russell Jaffe, the inventor of that process.
Thanks again, Bryan for your kind remarks, and really glad to hear you are turning the corner so well… BTW, milk and wheat are two of the most common, but others can lurk behind them if over time the *cure* doesn’t hold.
cp
» Norwegian study links Milk and Gluten with ADHD // Aug 6, 2008 at 9:33 am
[...] Read the rest of this great post here [...]
Hmm I thought it might be that I had an allergy to either of them cos I’ve been a restless little thing. I went to a kinesiologist and she said I have no allergies!
Pfft. I don’t know what to rely on, in the end it has to be your own inner wisdom and that is SUCH a conclusive statement that it frustrates me to no end.
I’m actually just beginning an ‘experiment’ of my own with regards to this sort of thing. This week, I’m eliminating dairy (I already know I’m lactose intolerant), and next week I’ll eliminate gluten. There are a few other things I’ll be doing, too. You can follow my progress (and check out my process) at http://geocities.com/janna_louise/
Oh dang, I just wrote one of my long-winded responses, Bryan. But I didn’t leave my e-mail address (figuring you had it), and when I submitted the comment, it showed and error–and it was gone!
Oh well, I’ve saved some folks from eyestrain and boredom.
Suffice it so say, I am THRILLED that you are feeling better. Good for you, for following through all the tedious tests, dietary changes, etc.
Nutrition is important–especially for people with ADHD. A prescribing doc who doesn’t look at wider health issues is never going to get good results, IMHO.
Keep us posted and thanks for sharing this!
Yep, you’re right again Dr. Parker, I am also allergic to eggs, soy and peanuts. Did complete testing and to be honest, it is almost impossible to cut all of them out. Thankfully I am not allergic to all histamines! That one came back negative.
Ah, Ash, I don’t think finding an allergen would cure “ADHD”; however, symptoms could be enhanced by the presence of allergens, making things worse than they could be. Also, according to Dr. Parker, not all allergic tests are equal…
Gina Pera, I would have loved to read all that you had to say, no matter how long… thank you!
Jannalou, getting some tests done might help you out quicker… I was guessing for a long time too…
~Bryan
I have a 5 year old who was diagnosed with ADHD 8 months ago. He is on medication which made a huge difference in helping his symptoms, but we found his severe mood swings were uncontrollable. After trawling the internet I came across one mother’s story about similar behaviors in her young daughter. They removed milk from the daughters diet and found this improved behaviors.
Willing to try anything at this point we removed milk and milk related products from our sons diet, and within 24 hours we experienced a different child. He was happier, more compliant and his concentration levels improved. I think milk has made a huge difference to our son, and has improved the symptoms of his ADHD.
I took my ADHD son off of milk and it was amazing! Milk makes him unable to concentrate and uncontrollably ’silly’.
One summer I took him off milk, lowered precervative and sugar intakes, and gave him DHA – he was so calm! However, in school they give kids sugar treats and only offer milk for lunch – very hard to monitor his food intake! Had to put him back on medication – not too happy about that!
I had a DNA test for galactosemia and found out that I am one alle short of having the full blown version of it. If you have galactosemia you can die from galactose (in all milk products). Most people like me don’t know they have the gene or alle, unless a family member has the full-blown version. I am also lacktose intollerant, but believe it’s because I have that galactose version.
Anyway my son has severe ADHD and I have ADD. I’ll bet our ADHD is tributed to galactosemia or the alle.
I was browsing this site and when I saw that the title had Gluten and ADHD in the same sentence (If that is the right word for it) I screamed for my mother to read this. I have ADHD and she has a gluten allergy and thinks she has ADHD, and ever since she stopped eating anything that contained gluten she has been more tolerant of me and my younger brothers who constantly pester their “Sisterbot” as they like to call me.
Interesting points, but for me they are completely inconsequential. Diagnosed with Celiac Syndrome ( the inability to digest gluten) as a baby, I’ve been on a gluten free diet for 19 of my thus far 20 years. This past October, I was (finally!) diagnosed with ADD. Since then my life has changed in myriad ways. The idea that abstaining form gluten will eliminate the problems symptomatic of ADD is frustrating to me, because I had to go through many difficult years before my recent diagnosis. Gluten, or the lack thereof, was on no effect – positive or negative. For those who benefit from abstaining from gluten, you’re fortunate, but it is not always that simple. Just saying…
Regardless, it’s been six months since my ADD diagnosis and things are better than I ever imagined.
Hi Molly,
Thank you for writing and letting us know about your situation. I do not believe that abstaining from gluten will eliminate the symptoms, perhaps improve them, but, not cure them. If you were to eat gluten would your symptoms be worse? Probably, especially since you have Celiac Syndrome. Your right though, nothing about this is simple. I am so happy things are getting better for you!
Bryan
My daughter was diagnosed with ADHD at age 6, severe symptoms. At age 12 we took her off meds for health reasons. At age 14 she began having other “problems” and ended up being hospitalized and diagnosed with bi-polar with underlying ADHD. Now at 16 she still has vast mood swings (her enzymes have been tested and she is on the highest “safe” dosage of meds). Most happen around meal times. Docs around here aren’t big on testing and won’t talk about anything else being wrong once they make a diagnosis. We have tried herbal, supplements (Omega3, iron whatever the newest studies suggest), ANYTHING to help her feel more in control and to make our family’s life better. We are going to try changing diet and hopefully it will help. If nothing else I applaud those who brought the study to light and the author of the website for helping those who can benefit, even if it isn’t the answer for all.
I had lots of “aha!” moments when I read your book and had another when I read this blog. I have a son who seems addicted to milk and pasta. He drinks gallons of milk in a week and probably at least a gallon per day. Besides a very unbalanced diet which I attributed to adolescence, I never suspected any link to his ADD behavior. He refuses to read your book or go to any “other self-help BS” so I’m at a loss on how to help him at this point. Would you say he just has to struggle on his own? He has always seemed to have to learn things the hard way instead of listening to his mother… Any suggestions?
Hi Susan, that’s actually quite difficult to say. How old is your son? If he’s still rather young, I would say it is important for you to step in and discuss this openly with him and either way, it is important for him to realize how difficult his life will become down the road if he does not take it seriously now. However, that is easier said than done. Maybe there is something he enjoys more than anything else and wants to improve in that area, if so, this could be the opening to explain how he can indeed improve if he decides to listen and value that it is important to understand his condition… seems he doesn’t have a complete understanding and therefore, probably not in an accepting stage yet… will be sad if he must wait until he is much older only to say “If only I had…” Perhaps leaving my book and other articles about ADHD laying about the house, or in his room… you know… oops!
Does anyone know how much difference would a diet make without medication
My 7 years old son is tiny and if the medication would slow down his growth I would never give it to him. So, a diet would have to suffice….any experience….?
Thanks,
Bozana