With over 740,000 children in England estimated to have ADHD, and diagnosis often taking months or even years, many families are understandably looking for ways to support their child in the meantime. Whether your child has a formal diagnosis or you're still navigating the referral process, chances are you've already explored different ways to help them with focus, energy, and emotional regulation. Supplements for ADHD might be one of the options you've considered, but maybe you're unsure if they really help?
The good news? Two new studies suggest they just might. Research shows that some specific nutrients can positively impact focus, mood, and memory in children; and especially those with ADHD. Even better, our handy transdermal patches offer an easier way to deliver those nutrients, with no swallowing pills or strong tasting powders, or drinks – which can be nigh on impossible to use for many neurodivergent kids.
What does the research say about supplements for ADHD?
A recent study in Frontiers in Nutrition, a respected peer-reviewed journal, explored the impact of vitamin, mineral, and omega-3 fatty acid levels on ADHD and overall brain health. One of the standout findings was that many children with ADHD were significantly low in key nutrients: particularly omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, B-vitamins, vitamin D, and magnesium. The study also noted that many participants had multiple food intolerances, which can make it even more challenging to maintain a balanced diet that supports optimal brain function.
If you’re concerned that nutritional gaps may be affecting your child’s ADHD symptoms, supplementing can help. Our Kids Multivitamin Patch offers a simple way to top up those often-deficient vitamins and minerals. While not sold specifically as supplements for ADHD, ensuring your child gets the nutrients their brain and nervous system need may provide real support in managing symptoms.
Want to dive deeper into the specific nutrients that can make a difference?
Read Part Two of this blog, where we explore the potential benefits of Vitamin B12, D, C, Omega-3s, zinc, and magnesium for children with ADHD.
Are there ADHD supplements that support focus and calm?
If you're exploring natural ways to support attention, emotional regulation, and calm; you may find this study particularly helpful. It investigated the safety and effectiveness of supplements for ADHD, including L-Theanine, Bacopa monnieri, and Ginkgo biloba. The results are promising: there are natural supplements that can help improve focus, sleep, and behavioural challenges associated with ADHD.
Key highlights from the research include:
- L‑Theanine's ability to enhance “sleep efficiency” (meaning more time actually spent asleep), and when combined with caffeine, it significantly boosted attention.
- Ginkgo biloba showed potential in reducing ADHD symptoms, especially in children, with improvements noted in both behaviour and attention span.
- But perhaps most impressive was Bacopa monnieri: children who regularly took this experienced noticeable gains in focus and memory, along with reduced hyperactivity.
And you'll find ALL these goodies in our PatchAid Focus & Clarity patch, where all the nutrients are delivered through the skin, so there’s no need to worry about taste or texture, , just apply and go.
Looking for more ways to support your child? Read our blog How to Help with ADHD here.