Here's what we use, and have found to be very successful. My son is 9 years old and weighs 85 pounds.
Omega-3 fish oil...a relatively large capsule. It's just called "Omega-3" by Now. Each capsule contains 120mg DHA and 180mg EPA. He takes 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening. We've tried more concentrated versions such as DHA-250 but they do NOT work for my son. Others have good results with the more refined oils, just not us.
A 500mg Evening Primrose Oil capsule that includes 50mg GLA. This works in concert with the Omega-3 to provide a balanced fatty acid profile.
100 IU of Vitamin E. The body requires Vitamin E in order to metabolize the essential fatty acids. Reserves will quickly be exhausted without additional supplementation.
A multi-vitamin that contains trace minerals. Small amounts of zinc and copper are neccessary.
A B-complex. I use a Balanced B-50, which provides all of the B vitamins in relatively equal amounts. For some people, vitamin B6 alone works better. However, a fairly significant proportion of ADHD kids will react negatively to the B6, they generally do better on the B1 alone. We stick with the B-50 complex because it works for us and because I'm too chicken at this point to experiment when things are going pretty well.
MAGNESIUM. This is absolutely critical. Whatever else you do, ADD MAGNESIUM. Magnesium is required for every single chemical process in your brain. Neurotransmitters cannot travel between neurons correctly without the presence of magnesium. An astonishing percentage of children with ADHD are magnesium deficient. ADD MAGNESIUM!!! You calculate the therapeutic dose at 6mg per pound of body weight. So a 50 pound child would require 300mg daily.
It's best to split the magnesium into two doses, one in the morning and one in the evening. That way less is wasted by being urinated out. It is very, very difficult to give too much magnesium and 1,000mg per day is generally entirely safe for a child. If your magnesium comes in 250mg tablets, you won't hurt your son by giving him 2. Loose bowels are often associated with magnesium, particularly when you're just starting it, when the dose is too high, or when the body can't process it in the form you're using. (For example, chewables made of magnesium citrate tend to be particularly hard on the digestive system. )
Generally, a calcium/magnesium supplement is adequate. It will generally contain magnesium oxide, which is easiest on the stomach but least bio-available. It works fine for most people. It didn't work for us, though, and my son's magnesium deficiency didn't improve much for quite a while. I switched him to UltraMag by Source Naturals which contains 250mg magnesium in a variety of forms (like magnesium gluconate and magnesium taurate). This has worked better.
Sorry, this is a novel. I just want to make sure that I've adequately conveyed the importance of adding magnesium. One last thing is that these supplements can be very expensive at health food store prices. I normally buy mine online at
www.herbaladvisor.com I've found they have outstanding prices, and they also provide the entire label information for each product so that you know exactly what is included in any supplement you order.
For a very good overview of natural treatment of ADHD, including nutritional supplements, I highly recommend Laura Stevens' book "12 Effective Ways to Help Your ADD/ADHD Child." It's generally available in libraries, or you can order it online at her website
users.nlci.com/nutrition/ I wouldn't have known where to start without this book.
If you're interested in further reading, you might also want to look at "The LCP Solution" by Jacqueline Stordy, which provides comprehensive information on essential fatty acids. Also "The Magnesium Factor" by Seelig, which is fairly detailed and technical but very readable...and take a look at the Magnesium web page at
www.mgwater.com
? If I use the Feingold diet will that help all the above?? Or is it better to use vitamins/minerals?? Or is a combo of both best?? I am at a loss where to start. All I know is I want him off meds!!! They arent working and I don't like the side effects. I just wanted advice from the real experts~~You all!!! ;D
~~~~Erin~~~~ 
