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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

ADHD supplements and vitamins

6 replies

Springtimedrinks · 26/02/2023 16:13

I am looking for vitamin and supplements advice for my teenager with ADHD. Has anyone tried BeBright or the Key Clinic?

OP posts:
HeBeaverandSheBeaver · 26/02/2023 16:19

Afraid not but would
Like to follow.

Grace909 · 10/10/2023 09:20

Yes, we have been through a biomedical programme. Occupational therapy and auditory, not all was at key clinic.

To answer your question on supplements, you would need to understand current deficiencies. blood tests are evidence based. Everyone has a different bio chemistry makeup. I would also encourage the use of sleep data to see if you can learn anything as to overall sleep rem / deep sleep % e.t.c. This will provide you with a data driven baseline ahead of any sort of supplementation.

Our experience, overall, nervous system has matured. 3 years in total. The impact was very gradual with a massive noticeable leap in a positive direction. it was a combination of the new neural pathways, feeding them with supplements and improved hearing. This was for dyslexia with adhd tendencies.

The dyslexia profile is still present, however, it has been significantly reduced. ADHD tendencies have completely disappeared, except when gaming!

Adhd usually shows a metals imbalance. Each individual will have a different ratio. You need to understand what it is in order to help him. It’s not cheap, but for us, we have a confident young man who is starting to thrive.

Best of luck with your journey.

Springtimedrinks · 10/10/2023 13:45

Thank you so much for your advice.
My son has had some tests ( blood and urine) from Key clinic. Testing seemed a bit limited, with certain metals not tested ( including zinc) which was odd as it was something they would recommend supplementing. Apparently they did not have a laboratory that could do the specific test they needed at that time.

I lost a little bit of trust in dealing with key clinic so went to Nature Doc Naturopath.

He is currently taking high quality fish oil (EPA and DHA), magnesium, zinc, turmeric and lions mane.
His concentration seems better and he seems a bit calmer and less likely to have emotional outbursts.

That's interesting what you say about neuro pathways and auditory assessment.

My other son has inattentive ADHD and has had auditory assessment ( all normal) and neuro assessment, which showed he would benefit from neuropathway therapy/ exercises.
It is difficult to get him on board with doing them regularly though, so jury out on that element.
Not sure if neuropathway therapy useful for hyperactive ADHD child though.

Which other companies did you use for assessment/ therapy/ treatment?

Your further thoughts are welcome. Not sure if you can directly message me.
Thanks

OP posts:
parietal · 10/10/2023 13:51

Be very cautious. There is a lot of expensive pseudoscience in this area.

Whatever treatment is recommended by your clinic, go to GoogleScholar and type it in to get the academic papers on what it is and whether it actually works.

Springtimedrinks · 10/10/2023 16:54

Many thanks,
Yes I have read a few papers on the supplements for ADHD.
Definitely worth checking the scientific evidence.

OP posts:
Grace909 · 10/10/2023 18:22

We used Hemisphere for occupational therapy. Slow journey, hard to pinpoint exactly what helped. Example, he use to hold knife and fork other way round. It often looked a bit awkward. This stopped at the end of occupational therapy and is now held as a right handed person would hold there cutlery. Things are a little easier but you need to keep using any new neural pathways.

I got use to scientific white papers as this was a good reliable guide and I would encourage you to use free available papers. I would also be cautious of supplementing without bloods. How does any professional know what dosage to give without data? I read lots around copper/zinc difference with adhd but understanding where on the scale would be crucial for me.

Key clinic did have a challenge a while ago but was ok last time we used it earlier this year.

We came to a decision on would this be worth DS going through, thinking from a wellness and mental health lens. it’s a lot for them to go through and is by no means easy. It’s is difficult to influence teenagers and you would need commitment from your child if you choose the occupational therapy route. It depends on severity, perhaps nutritional supplementation is sufficient enough? It is also expensive none of which is available on the nhs.

I’ve always asked for feedback and asked today looking back on your journey, how do you feel in yourself. “Happier, less tired, I can concentrate at school. The only regret is I’ve lost my extra time for exams”.

There were moments of throwing in the towel, it’s tough, I’m pleased we kept going.

The lesson for us is to understand how these deficiencies occurred and to prevent going forward without supplements. We are not there yet but progressing well in encouraging the gut to absorb nutrients more efficiently. The gut brain has a lot to answer for, improving things in that area leads to a better brain for any individual.

Let me know if you have anymore questions.

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