This resource is one of my favorites for changing the brain and behavior (if you want the change).
How to Make ADHD worse
When you have ADHD, here’s your recipe for disaster: Mix sleep deprivation with carnival food. Deep fry.
Hold the physical exercise and Omega-3s.
No one says, “I want to be my worse self.” Yet many of us are doing exactly what we need to get us there or keep us there.
When you have ADHD, sleep deprivation makes your symptoms worse, carnival-like food makes your symptoms (particularly forgetfulness) worse and lack of physical exercise and Omega-3s keeps them from getting better.
If you want to give yourself the best chance at optimal brain functioning, here’s the winning combination: sleep enough, eat healthy food (including Omega-3s), and exercise regularly. This is true for all us but is essential when you have ADHD.
Consider that chronic sleep deprivation looks like ADHD. Imagine what happens when you combine them. Check out recent research on ADHD and circadian rhythms here.
Omega-3s matter so much, there’s even an Omega-3 prescription for ADHD called Vayarin. See specifics on the Omega-3 and ADHD connection here: Something Fishy.
For a recent review and meta-analysis on use of Omega-3s for ADHD, go here.
As for exercise, namely cardio exercise, check out this recent review.
Try the winning combination for even just one week and see what you notice. I bet your brain will thank you.
Something Fishy
ADHD often comes with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid deficiencies.
But upping your omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids may have little effect on your ADHD symptoms. What gives? Recent research reveals that it’s all about the ratio.
ADHD can mean low levels of both but, overall, higher levels of omega-6 to omega-3.
Now you may say, well, I just need to increase my omega-3 levels then, right? I wish it were so simple. Researchers have tried this with only some succes
s. A supplement heavier on the omega-3 than omega-6 side may be better, as indicated by a study that found benefit from giving participants an omega-3/6 supplement containing mostly EPA and DHA (omega-3), with only 60mg of LA (omega-6).
If it’s possible, it seems you’re best off knowing your ratio. And then knowing how much omega-3 (EPA/DHA) and omega-6 (LA or AA) you need to optimize it.
Tonya Lippert 