14/03/2025
"Dopamine is made from an amino acid called tyrosine, which comes from meat and eggs and fish, etc. But it won't do anything if you're low in iron, because iron helps to convert that tyrosine, into dopamine. So if you're low in iron, you are going to present with ADHD symptoms or very likely to be magnified,ADHD symptoms. With ADHD very often there's genetics involved. The ability to generate dopamine is a bit glitchy anyway, so I'm not saying this is the cause of it, but it can be a big factor."
Just how much is your child's diet impacting their ADHD symptoms? If you have a fussy eater, this episode is for you!
Lucinda begins by sharing her approach to nutrition - which you can read more about in her book ‘Brain Brilliance ’ - along with her own experience with ADHD and how food affects her day-to-day life. She describes the importance of zinc and iron in brain function, mood, and behaviour, and how deficiencies can affect children with ADHD.
We learn the crucial role zinc plays in a wide range of areas, from supporting the immune system and digestive health, to taste and smell, which can affect a child’s willingness to try new foods. Lucinda also explains how iron deficiencies can impair dopamine production - a crucial neurotransmitter for anyone with ADHD.
She shares how ultra-processed foods can be highly addictive and exacerbate ADHD symptoms, suggesting some simple, practical strategies parents can adopt to introduce new foods and improve their child’s nutrient intake. Lucinda offers insight into the role of using supplements as "scaffolding" while working on longer-term dietary changes, which can be particularly helpful for fussy eaters.
This episode is a must-listen for parents looking to better understand how diet and nutrition can help their children with ADHD - with lots of tips for simple, achievable strategies, rather than another guilt trip!
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