Iron May Aggravate ADHD

A team of French researchers has discovered a possible link between iron deficiencies and ADHD. Lead researcher Eric Konofal, MD, PhD was curious about iron and its role in ADHD after several other studies found correlations between it and general restlessness and inattentiveness.

"...Konofal and colleagues measured blood levels of the protein ferritin in 53 children with ADHD and 27 children without ADHD but who had a mild reading disability. Ferritin allows the body to store iron and is used as a measure of iron levels. Eighty-four percent of children with ADHD appeared to have abnormally low ferritin levels, compared with 18% of children without ADHD."

Konofal says that, while the link between iron deficiency and ADHD symptoms is clear, it's too soon to recommend that kids with ADHD start taking iron supplements. The reason for the deficiency has yet to be determined.

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