Is ADHD on the Rise?

Partly, the explosion in ADHD cases can be linked to better detection. Awareness of ADHD is higher than it ever was, diagnostic criteria have now been developed, and drugs are available to treat the condition.

No one knows for sure what causes ADHD, but it’s related to imbalances in the brain chemicals helping nerve cells to communicate. The messages between brain cells then become muddled, setting off whole cascades of signals.

Exactly what causes these chemical imbalances isn’t yet clear. It’s unlikely to be one single factor, but rather a combination of issues. There is a genetic susceptibility toward developing ADHD, but not everyone born with this tendency will develop the condition. Researchers believe it may be triggered by some aspect of the environment which has changed over the years. Environmental, lifestyle and nutritional factors seem to combine to determine whether the genetic tendencies are expressed.

Let’s have a look at some of these factors now.

• Microbiome Imbalances and Food Sensitivities

Your microbiome is the community of bacteria living in your intestines. People with ADHD have been found to have different types of bacteria living in their guts to those who are unaffected. Your gut bacteria are constantly communicating with your brain. In fact, the gut is often called the second brain. So it’s no surprise behavioural issues can be caused by an unbalanced microbiome.

Many factors associated with modern life adversely affect your microbiome, from processed foods to medicines to stress and poor sleep. An unhealthy microbiome can even be passed on from a mother to her baby. 

Disordered gut bacteria can lead to food sensitivities. Common culprits are gluten-containing grains like wheat, particularly modern wheat, specially developed to contain more gluten than ancient wheat. Eating gluten grains is associated in many people with a worsening of ADHD symptoms. It’s easy to eat gluten in every single meal of the day.

• Toxins

The modern world is awash with toxins including manmade chemicals and pollutants, as well as toxic metals like lead and mercury. Exposure to these metals has been associated with ADHD.

Substances linked to ADHD include pesticides and weedkillers (2). Pesticide and herbicide use has increased dramatically in recent years. It’s thought the bodies of people with ADHD might be less effective at removing these unwanted substances, so they tend to accumulate.

• Nutrient Deficiencies

Modern food, particularly processed food, is typically bereft of nutrients, including those needed for brain health like Omega 3 fats, B Vitamins, Vitamin D, magnesium, zinc and selenium.