Does the benefit of ADHD medications outweigh the side effects?

Stimulant ADHD medications are very effective in boosting concentration and focus while reducing hyperactivity and impulsivity. I’ve seen kids who are finally able to focus after starting medication, which helps to improve learning, grades, and self-esteem, which are positive long-term benefits.

However, many children experience uncomfortable or harmful side effects. The goal of therapy is to determine what will give your child the most benefit, with the least side effects. 

There are also side effects that may make the medications not worth the benefits in some children.

Common side effects of ADHD medication include:

• Sleep problems
• Decreased appetite
• Weight loss
• Delayed growth
• Headaches and stomachaches
• Rebound (irritability when the medication wears off)
• Moodiness and irritability
• Tics

How to minimize the side effects?

First of all, pills do not teach children proper study skills, coping methods, or social interactions. The ADHD medicine’s job is to create a window of opportunity for those skills to be developed. It is the adults’ job to exploit this opportunity. 

Even when the ADHD medication is safe and successful, it isn’t morally the same to engage a child with effective parenting, healthy eating habits and educational interventions.

Getting the right dosage is important for minimizing side effects. If your child gets the right levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, he will be pretty focused. But if he gets too much, it can stress out the brain, and cause negative side effects.

Close monitoring by the prescribing doctor, parents, and treating therapist is very important. A lack of communication among the child, parent, doctor, and school teacher about the effects of medication can increase likelihood of a problem.

I, as a nutritionist, would also agree that eating a healthy whole food plant-based diet that support brain functions would help to minimize medication needed and mitigate some of the side effects. 

99% of children with ADHD who come to see me are for weight loss and loss of appetite from the medication. 

In addition to a whole food plant-based diet, I also recommend supplementing with healthy fats, such as omega-3 fatty, which is a major component of brain tissues. 

Omega-3 fatty acid is one of the most studied nutrients in the ADHD population, and has been shown to help with focus and memory as well. 

Related article: Can Omega-3 Fatty Acid from Fish Oil Benefit Brain Function?

If we can use common natural substance to help with better focus and memory, that means, your child will need less ADHD medicine, which also means, less side effects.

And I have parents report great positive results simply by changing the diet of the whole family and supplementing the child’s diet with cod liver oil or fish oil supplements. 

Below you’ll find the cod liver oil and fish oil my patients used and have great results with focus and memory.  

I recommend these products because you get the most bang for your bucks. Children with ADHD need more DHA and EPA than other children. They may need up to 500mg to 1,000mg DHA and EPA from fish oil or cod liver oil.

Adults usually prefer to swallow pills and most children take the cod liver oil with no problem.

The Natural Factors Ultra Strength RxOmega3 needs only 1 pill a day and the  Carlson Cod Liver Oil needs only 1 tsp (5ml) a day to get the right amount of DHA and EPA. 

Please don’t buy fish oil “gummies”. I have so many parents proclaim proudly that they give their children omega 3 fish oil gummies, but was shock when I told them they have to increase to 10-20 gummies a day to get the beneficial 500mg of DHA. So don’t waste your money on “gummies”.

Can you eat fish to get the omega-3 fatty acid? 

Yes, you can. 

In fact, 3oz (150g) of salmon contains 3,200mg fish oil, of which 1,900mg EPA and 1,300mg DHA. 

Other good fish choices are mackerel, sardines, herring, and black cod.

But keep in mind, you cannot correct a deficiency with food alone. 

I hope you find this information helpful. Let me know what you think and comment below.

Remember ADHD does not doom your child to a life of under-achievement. You know your child is bright, full of potential and deserves the best. In fact, many of the world’s greatest discoveries and inventions were made by people with ADHD.

I helped my crazy wild child who could not read or write when she was little with the 4 steps I laid out in the Eat to Focus book. She’s now a merit scholarship student studying premed in Loyola Chicago University.

So stay strong and keep believing in your child.

Check out the Eat to Focus book to learn about my story and the 4 steps that I used to transform my daughter and help her reach her full potential. This information may change your child’s future.

Download your free gift before you leave. I have put together 15 clean and brain-nourishing school day breakfast ideas for you. I don’t like to spend my life in the kitchen either, so I make sure these are super simple and quick recipes, and some you can even prepare the night before. Knowing your child goes to school fully prepared and well-fed is satisfying.

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