Adult ADHD - Medication vs Diet

My Story
While working with a personal training client one day, he told me about how adult ADHD greatly affected his life and how being treated for it really improved everything for him. He went on about how the research is more advanced than when kids were pumped with Ritalin back in the 90's and how ADHD really impacts your personal and professional life. At the end of the session, he says "being diagnosed with ADHD and treated really changed my life for the better, COREY, you exhibit a lot of the symptoms of ADHD, you should consult with your doctor". Wow, did he just say that? Well I went to the doc, what the heck, why not, and inquired. The doc sent me home with a 200 question questionnaire, along with a confidential questionnaire for my wife to fill out about me. The first question was "Do you have a hard time finishing the minor details of a project when the hard part is done? YES. "Do you forget appointments? YES. Long story short, I answered all 200 questions YES. This was the beginning of my journey on dealing with and understanding the source of ALL my problems in my life. Since then, I have been super focused, however, when it comes to treating ADHD, nutrition should always be the first line of defense. 

What is Adult ADHD

Adult ADHD is characterized by symptoms of impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity that emerge in childhood (DSM-5).
Presentation of ADHD in adults is different from that in children,

• greater decrease in hyperactivity than in inattention
• Impairment related to ADHD in adulthood is manifested differently than impairment in childhood
• Diminishing symptoms of hyperactivity may manifest as restlessness, whereas the persisting symptoms of inattention may be manifested as difficulties in carrying out tasks (e.g., keeping appointments, meeting deadlines, or focusing on a single task)

Consequences of ADHD in adulthood include

• Employment and financial difficulties (frequent job changes, unemployment, and lower socioeconomic status)
• Interpersonal problems (social maladjustment and martial problems)
• Coexisting psychiatric disorders (depression and anxiety)
• Increased risk of substance abuse, including smoking

Neurobiological Factors
Brain imaging has identified dysfunction of

• Dopamine pathways involved in attention, executive function, and motivation and reward,
• As well as dysfunction in noradrenergic pathways
• Stimulant medications, which are the most effective treatments of ADHD, enhance dopaminergic and noradrenergic signaling.

Diagnosis
Diagnosis in adults is based on the presence of at least five of nine symptoms in each of two domains – inattention, and hyperactivity and impulsivity.
Treatment
Stimulant Medications

• Stimulants (amphetamine and methylphenidate) are the most effective medications for the treatment of adult ADHD.

Non-stimulant Medications

• Only non-stimulant medication approved for adult ADHD is atomoxetine
• Atomoxetine is a blocker of norepinephrine transporters that enhances noradrenergic signaling in the brain an dopaminergic signaling in the frontal cortex
• Other non-stimulant meds used on an off-label basis
  • Modafinil, guanfacine, venlafaxine, bupropion, and desipromine.
  • Modafinil – Stevens-Johnson syndrome

Nonpharmacologic Treatment
Psychotherapeutic interventions are recommended for adults with ADHD.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
T
raining in behavioural and cognitive strategies to manage impairments ( training in time management, prioritization, organization, problem solving, motivation, and emotional regulation) results in reduced symptoms and improved functioning, regardless of whether patients are receiving medications for ADHD.
Usually used as adjuncts to pharmacologic therapay.
Areas of Uncertainty
The longterm benefits vs harms of stimulant and nonstimulant treatments have not been investigated adequately. 

Some research suggests neuron pathways become deadened after long term treatment using medication.

Nutrition Should be First Line of Defense 
Diet should be the first line of defense before using medications like Concerta or other stimulant based prescriptions. Your nervous system needs a balanced diet containing protein, "good fats," and carbohydrates to function properly. That means including healthy fats (such as the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish), complex carbohydrates (which increase serotonin levels), and protein in every meal. The right foods release dopamine and serotonin, improving focus and mood. Also effective is the right supplementation, which can directly target the key requirements and help address many of the problems.
An example: the calming, focusing effect of serotonin can often be felt simply by eating carbohydrate-containing, as well as foods rich in tryptophan, such as chicken, turkey, salmon, etc. Dopamine can be boosted through L-Tyrosine intake, from foods like almonds or bananas, or with organics like Macuna Pruriens or Vicia Fava. A simple cup of tea can provide enough stimulant to positively affect attention and energy, especially green or white tea. There are plenty of natural, nutritional ways to help in this area.
So we brought together the perfect balance of highest quality natural ingredients to co-operatively assist in critical areas associated with attention and focus. We call it ELEVERA and it's an advanced, holistic, nutritional approach to supporting your attention, energy, focus, mood and brain health. It is an intelligent complex of energy stimulants, mood stimulants, and support nutrients that form a three-pronged nutritional approach to maximizing focus and concentration.
Before you try something drastic, try taking back control naturally with ELEVERA.
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​Check out my business page www.kettlebelldisciple.com to purchase this product or click on image above.