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Studies emphatically show that a nutritionally sound diet aids learning, behavior and brain function. One ADHD and nutrition study, conducted on 220 preschool children, demonstrated that children who lack optimal amounts of essential nutrients experience reduced attention span and intellectual ability. The same researchers conducted an Attention Deficit Disorder diet study, which showed that students' ability to think was reduced when kept on a nutritionally poor diet.

Fatty acids are critically important to brain function. Fatty acids are used to make brain and nerve tissue in the body and are crucial for proper growth, mental function, the immune system and brain development. The body cannot produce its own fatty acids and therefore must receive these key ADHD nutrition ingredients through diet and brain food supplements.

There are two families of essential fatty acids: Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids. Although the typical Western diet is high in the Omega 6 family of fatty acids (found in corn, sunflower, canola and safflower oil, margarine, vegetable oil and shortening), most Americans young and old are highly deficient in Omega 3.

Learning specialists now believe many childhood behavior and learning problems are associated with Omega 3 deficiencies. This deficiency has a greater impact on males because their requirements for essential fatty acids are generally much higher. It is no surprise that boys are diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder at a much higher rate than girls.

Excellent Sources of Omega 3 Fatty Acids for the Attention Deficit Disorder diet:

• Fish oils

• Olive oil (cold pressed and virgin)

• Primrose oil and Borage oils (found in your health food store)

• Flaxseed oil

ADHD adults and parents of ADHD children should include food high in Omega 3 fatty acids daily. That said, many children simply will not eat the Omega 3 rich salmon, mackerel and sardines. Enter flax seed and flax oil - "food of the gods" when it comes to Omega 3 fatty acids. Flax seed and flax oil are the richest plant source of Omega 3 fatty acids and offers vital support for healthy childhood behavioral and IQ development.

In addition to flax oil being one of the best brain foods, flax oil also works to prevent heart disease and certain types of cancer. Flax oil helps soften skin, balance energy, burn fat, stimulate the metabolism, strengthen the immune system, manage diabetes, helps prevent autoimmune disease and inflammatory disorders. Flax oil also helps alleviate PMS and some menopause symptoms.

One to two tablespoons of flax oil should be part of every Attention Deficit Disorder diet. Here are some great ways to sneak flax oil into the daily Attention Deficit Disorder diet;

• Mix 1 tablespoon of flax oil in flavored yogurt

• 1 tablespoon of flax oil in fruit smoothies is virtually undetectable

• Mix 1 tablespoon of flax oil with one tablespoon maple syrup or honey as a sweetener instead of granulated sugar

• Use 1 to 2 tablespoons of flax oil when making tuna salad or egg salad while proportionally decreasing the amount of Miracle Whip or mayonnaise used

• Flax Butter: Melt one stick organic butter and mix with 4 ounces flax oil when cooled to room temperature. Refrigerate until the flax butter solidifies and use in place of margarine

• Omega-3 "Ice Cream": Mix 2 cups yogurt with 1 tablespoon flax oil and fresh or frozen fruit. Serve when frozen.

Most studies conducted on the affects of essential fatty acids found that at least 10 weeks of supplementation is needed to adequately raised fatty acid levels in brain cells. Follow a Attention Deficit Disorder diet high in Omega 3 fatty acids for at least 10 weeks, and preferably 12 weeks, before judging the effectiveness of nutrition on Attention Deficit Disorder and ADHD symptoms.

Important Points about Flax Oil:

• Flax oil is highly perishable and should be kept refrigerated at all time

• Heat destroys the health-giving flax oil properties. Use flax oil only with cold foods, cold proteins are best

• When buying flax oil, use only high quality, cold-pressed flax oil. The date pressed and a freshness date of four months or less from the pressed date should be on the label. If not, don’t buy it!

• Do not use flax seed oil beyond its expiration date since the oil will turn rancid

The brain also needs amino acids, the building blocks for brain neurotransmitters. Amino acids quite literally feed the brain. Amino acids promote the production of various neurotransmitters and enzymes critically needed in the brain for communication between brain cells, smooth and balanced cognition and fluid transition from thought to disciplined action.

Many specialists believe that there is a connection to food allergies and ADHD. When implementing an Attention Deficit Disorder diet, you will boost the amino acids, fatty acids and whole foods in the diet while reducing all processed foods.

Foods high in complete protein are excellent sources of amino acids. The brain will not function well without the necessary amount of protein in the daily diet. Simply put; No protein, no intelligence. Good sources of complete proteins include meat, fish, eggs and dairy products. For vegetarians, brown rice served with beans, seeds, nuts or wheat make a complete protein. All soy products also make a complete protein, though the health benefits of soy are largely in question.

Recommended Sources of Amino Acids for the Attention Deficit Disorder diet:

• Leans meats

• Eggs

• Low-fat cheeses

• Nuts

• Protein powder.

Omega 3 fatty acids and amino acids are just two of the food families needed for the brain’s ability to function well and used in natural ADHD treatments. In additional to quality proteins and fats, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, beans and peas should be found in abundance in the daily diet.

Many parents find great success by also including ADHD homeopathy treatments, alongside herbal and nutritional measures for a broad-based approach.