Mental Health
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ADHD)
A pattern of inattention, impulsivity, and (in ADHD) hyperactivity in children and adults — most effectively treated through nutrition, eliminating food additives and allergens, and a structured home environment rather than stimulant drugs.
Also known as: ADD, ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, learning disability, hyperkinesis
📝 At a glance
Likely root causes: Diet of refined, sugary, processed, and fried foods; artificial food colorings, flavorings, and preservatives; food allergies (especially milk, wheat, chocolate, yeast, oranges).
First thing to try: Give the child a very nourishing diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes, and carrot juice.
See a doctor if: See a doctor if symptoms are severe, persistent, or worsening, or if you are unsure — natural supports are meant to complement, not replace, professional care.
🔎 Start with the cause
Lasting relief rarely comes from covering a symptom. First find what is feeding the problem, change what you can, and then help the body do what it was designed to do — heal.
Likely root causes
- Diet of refined, sugary, processed, and fried foods
- artificial food colorings, flavorings, and preservatives
- food allergies (especially milk, wheat, chocolate, yeast, oranges)
- excess sugar
- lead poisoning or heavy metal exposure
- inadequate protein
- lack of structured home routine
- inconsistent discipline
- television overstimulation
- broken or chaotic home environments.
Change what you can
- Give the child a very nourishing diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes, and carrot juice.
- Believe in the child, listen to him, and spend time with him.
- Establish an orderly daily routine with responsibilities the child is thanked for.
- Daily nutritional support: full B-complex, thiamine B1 (25 mg), vitaminA natural substance your body needs in small amounts to stay healthy, like vitamin C or D. More → B6 (100 mg), pantothenic acid (50 mg), folic acid (400 mcg), vitamin C (1,000 mg), vitamin E (400 IU), calcium (500–1,000 mg), magnesium (100–400 mg), zinc (15 mg).
- Flaxseed oil (4 tsp daily) — a diet high in unsaturated fatty acids measurably reduces ADD/ADHD symptoms.
- Valerian root extract produces good results for calming.
- Test for heavy metals; if present, address (see Heavy Metal Poisoning).
- For adults: add ginkgo biloba and gotu kola for brain circulation.
🩺 When to see a doctor
- See a doctor if symptoms are severe, persistent, or worsening, or if you are unsure — natural supports are meant to complement, not replace, professional care.
🌿 The seven pathways to health
Seven pathways for your attention deficit disorder (add/adhd) — tap the circle to check one off (saved on your device), or ask Remy for help.
“Disease is an effort of nature to free the system from conditions that result from a violation of the laws of health... In case of sickness 1cause should be ascertained, 2go to work intelligently to remove the disease. 3Unhealthful conditions should be changed, 4wrong habits corrected. 5Then nature is to be assisted in her effort 6to expel impurities and 7to re-establish right conditions in the system.”
🌿 Overview
ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) describe patterns of inattention, cognitive fog, and (in ADHD) hyperactivity. Boys are diagnosed far more often than girls. Many child experts question whether these conditions are over-diagnosed, noting that the symptoms apply to virtually any child on a typical modern diet of junk food, artificial additives, refined sugar, and inadequate structure. The drug typically prescribed (methylphenidate/Ritalin) is so chemically similar to cocaine that the two are used interchangeably in research — it helps focus by narrowing mental function, suppressing curiosity and imagination. Natural approaches address the root causes: nutrition, food allergies, heavy metals, family environment, and structured routine.
Attention deficit disorder (ADD/ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition involving persistent patterns of inattention, and in many cases impulsivity and hyperactivity, that are beyond what is typical for a person's age and interfere with learning, work, or relationships. It occurs in children and adults, has a strong biological and genetic basis, and is not caused by poor parenting or laziness.
Management is most effective when it is comprehensive and individualized, and may include behavioral strategies, structure and routine, support at school or work, and, for many, medication — guided by a professional. Supportive lifestyle measures genuinely help as part of the picture: regular physical activity, good sleep, a balanced whole-food diet, limiting screen overuse, and a calm, structured environment. While diet alone is not a proven cure, healthy habits support focus and wellbeing. Because ADHD benefits from proper assessment and a tailored plan, anyone struggling with these patterns deserves a professional evaluation rather than self-diagnosis.
Common signs
- ADD: learning disabilities, lack of concentration, easily distracted, procrastination, inability to manage time, forgetfulness, sleep disturbances, mood swings, loses things easily.
- ADHD: all of the above plus cannot sit still, disturbs others, impatient, impulsive, temper tantrums, talks too much, blurts out answers, disruptive in class, low stress tolerance.
⭐ Community-ranked natural supports
Vote ▲ on everything that helped you, and ▼ on anything you tried that didn't — the ranking updates live. Tap 💬 to share what worked, so others can find it faster.
A consistent, calm sleep routine improves attention and self-control the next day.970
Whole grains give steady fuel, helping avoid the energy crashes that hurt concentration.950
Steady, whole-food meals with protein and fiber (fewer sugary, processed foods) help even out energy and focus.930
A nourishing diet supports focus and mood (a proper assessment by a professional guides the best approach).920
How the numbers work: this is a weighted voting system — every published book or article recommending a remedy counts as an endorsement vote, and your ▲/▼ counts too. Not medical advice. *Ties are broken by our editor score (sources, safety, simplicity, cost, lifestyle fit, eight-laws alignment).
🍽️ Eating to help
Food is one of the gentlest medicines — small, steady changes help most.
Eliminate ALL junk, sugary, processed, and fried food from the diet. No soft drinks, no candy, no artificial colorings, no artificial preservatives. Feed complex carbohydrates (whole grains) instead of simple sugars. If a food makes the child excitable, eliminate it for a trial period. Nourishing food must become a household way of life — not a partial change.
⚖️ Good to know
- Ritalin and similar stimulant medications carry significant risks in children, including growth suppression, appetite loss, insomnia, and potentially dangerous cardiovascular effects.
- Many diagnoses of ADD/ADHD can be questioned when nutrition and environment are properly addressed.
- Do not diagnose or medicate based on pressure alone — try the natural program consistently for 30–90 days before accepting a drug prescription.
💙 If it ever feels like too much
Heavy feelings are not a failure of faith — and you don't have to carry them alone. If you or someone you love is thinking about self-harm or suicide, please reach out right now:
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US): call or text 988 — free, confidential, 24/7.
- Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741741.
- Outside the US: findahelpline.com ↗ lists free helplines by country.
- If someone is in immediate danger, call 911 (or your local emergency number).
Natural supports can walk alongside professional care — never in place of it when life is at risk.
⚕️ What a doctor may offerConventional treatments for this condition — for your information.Show ▾
RemedyRank's heart is natural healing — and honest information. Here is what conventional medical care commonly involves for this condition, listed to inform, never to promote. Decisions about treatment belong with you and your own physician.
ADD/ADHD is managed after professional diagnosis with behavioral strategies and often medication.
Commonly offered
- Behavioral strategies, structure, and accommodations–
- Stimulant medication (most effective)–
- Non-stimulant options when needed–
- Therapy/coaching and parent training–
Worth knowing
- Diagnosis should be made by a qualified professional.
- Stimulants need monitoring (sleep, appetite, growth, heart).
- Support and structure matter alongside medication.
👍/👎 shares whether a treatment helped you — community experience, not medical advice. For full professional details, see the sources under “Learn more” below.
📚 Learn more
Sources for further reading. These open in a new tab.
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