Attention Deficit Disorder 
Caused by Zinc Deficiency?

Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) 
experience persistent, intense periods of inattentiveness, 
hyperactivity and impatience. While the exact cause of this 
condition is unknown, levels of zinc and essential fatty acids 
may play a role. A study of 93 children (48 with attention 
deficit disorder and 45 without any such disorder) evaluated 
the potential association between zinc, fatty acids and ADHD. 

On average, zinc levels in the ADHD group were 43% lower 
than in the control group, and fatty acid levels in the ADHD 
group were 69% lower than in the control group. However, a 
significant relationship was found between zinc and fatty acid 
levels in the ADHD group, but not in the control group, 
suggesting that fatty acid deficiencies may be secondary to 
zinc deficiencies in causing ADHD. 

Zinc and fatty acid deficiency may play a role in the 
development of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. 
Combating zinc deficiencies in children may help manage this 
frustrating problem.


Do we rreally want to medicate??


Some pupils labeled "hyperactive " may simply 
have a different learning style than the one 
dictated by the school environment. A child 
named Alva comes to mind. Alva's teacher 
taught by rote, which was too mechanical for 
the boy's creative mind. His thoughts often 
wandered, while his body seemed in perpetual 
motion in his seat. The teacher found Alva 
inattentive and unruly and often threatened 
punishment. Alva, fearful and out of place, ran 
away from school.

It is fortunate that young Alva lived some years 
ago, before the medicalization of childhood 
was under way. His full name was Thomas 
Alva Edison, and if he were a child today, he 
would almost certainly be diagnosed with 
ADHD and given Ritalin. If this had happened 
when he was growing up, we might still be 
reading by kerosene lamps.


ADHD and the Cognitive, 
Affective, and Behavioral 
Effects of Drugs

The cognitive effects of drug treatment of hyperactivity seem 
mostly to involve attention span, concentration, and 
impulsivity. Short-term memory seems to be positively 
impacted by stimulants, although there is concern about recall 
when not on medication. The impact of drugs upon behavior 
and concentration is most salient. Performance on intelligence 
tests does not seem to be affected by stimulant drugs. In 
fact, in seventeen studies reviewed, 
83.6% of children were unaffected by 
medication in academic achievement 
testing (Barkley, 1990).