Dietary tryptophan may help in the treatment of ADHD

This paper was published in Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica Volume 99, Issue 4, pages 300–304, April 1999

Study title and authors:
Circulatory levels of catecholamines, serotonin and lipids in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

B. Spivak1, Y. Vered, R. Yoran-Hegesh, E. Averbuch, R. Mester, E. Graf, A. Weizman

Research Unit, Ness Ziona Mental Health Center, Nes Ziona, Israel

This study can be accessed at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1600-0447.1999.tb07229.x/abstract

Spivak notes that ADHD is frequently complicated by aggressive impulsive behaviour, which is suggested to be related to low serum cholesterol levels.

The study, of boys with ADHD, found that lower levels of blood serotonin, were associated  with higer degrees of hyperactivity, impulsiveness, lack of concentration, and aggressiveness in boys.

Serotonin is manufactured in the body using the amino acid tryptophan. Excellent dietary sources of tryptophan include: turkey, chicken, beef,  fish, milk, eggs and cheese.