Discussion of Not Scientifically Substantiated Treatments for ADHD

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1 Some commonly followed treatments for ADHD have not been scientifically substantiated, including restricted or modified diets, treatments for allergies, treatment for inner ear problems, treatments for yeast infections, megavitamins, chiropractic adjustment and bone alignment, eye training, special-colored glasses, and biofeedback.
Restricted or Modified Diets
There is minimal evidence of diet as a form of treatment for ADHD. However, its basis is probably secondary to the effects of food on the patients’ behavior, particularly in children. This age group is vulnerable to food allergies secondary to toxins and pathogenic organisms that stimulate the formation of antigen-specific immunoglobulins and mast cell markers. Consequently, the processes from these molecules can affect brain functioning, such that the brain’s allergic responses result in cognitive and behavioral dysfunction (Abd El Baaki et al., 2021).
Abd El Baaki et al. (2021) studied the effects of a modified diet on children participants ages five to nine years with ADHD. The participants were subjected to a five-week diet modification program that followed the recommended partiality of carbohydrates, proteins, and fat. The diet has minimized hypoallergenic foods, and cow milk was substituted with a soy or rice milk. Increased water intake was encouraged. Additionally, gluten-containing and dairy foods were prohibited. The diet consisted of three main meals and two snacks. After the experiment, the results revealed that the participants who had a minimal intake of carbohydrates and those who had reduced weight (i.e., from obesity) showed significant improvement in ADHD symptoms.
Treatment for Allergies
Allergies are risk factors for ADHD, including asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis. Some studies show that the treatment of allergies also alleviates the symptoms of ADHD. Specifically, the drugs that can be used in combination to enhance the efficacy are cetirizine and methylphenidate (Melamed & Heffron, 2016).
Treatment for Inner Ear Problems
Inner ear problems manifest with vestibular dysfunction, affecting the balance of patients with ADHD. Consequently, this results in increased severity of the symptoms. Based on a study, vestibular rehabilitation significantly improved the cognitive functioning of these patients. However, the effects on spatial functioning were insignificant (Lotfi et al., 2017).
Treatment for Yeast Infections
Some yeasts are part of the body’s normal flora, and problems with the immune system affect the balance among the microorganisms inside the body, resulting in the overgrowth of some pathogens and the introduction of pathogenic organisms. In the case of Candida albicans, an overgrowth can affect the skin, nails, and mouth. Moreover, there are claims that this can also affect cognitive functioning, resulting in ADHD. Although controversial, if this becomes a comorbidity with the disease, it is suggested to treat the patient with anti-fungal medications, such as nystatin, and maintain the patient on a low glucose diet. This is mere speculation, and currently, it is not recognized or supported by highly reliable...