THE USE OF A DIETARY SUPPLEMENT C OMBINATION AND AN ESSENTIAL FATTY ACID AS AN ALTERNATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY T REATMENT FOR CHILDREN WITH ATTENTION -DEFICIT /H YPERACTIVITY DISORDER

Background: We investigated the efficacy of a dietary supplement combination (Ginkgo biloba, Melissa officinalis, Grapine, dimethylaminoethanol, and l-glutamine) and an essential fatty acid (flaxseed) as a treatment for inattentiveness and hyperactivity- impulsivity. The purpose of this study was to provide empirical evidence regarding their effectiveness in re - ducing ADHD-related behaviors in children diagnosed with this disorder. Methods: Sixty participants initially were chosen to participate in 2 12-week trials. Thirty participants were chosen randomly from those not taking Ritalin, and 30 participants were chosen randomly from those taking Ritalin. After attrition, the same 51 children completed each trial. Results: During trial 1, the dietary supplement com - bination was not more effective than a placebo at ame - liorating children's inattentiveness and hyperactivity- impulsivity among children taking and not taking Ritalin. Results from trial 2 were mixed. Among chil - dren taking Ritalin, teachers reported those who re - ceived the double dietary supplement combination dis - played less inattentive behavior than those who received the double dietary supplement combination plus an es - sential fatty acid. Also, among children not taking Ri -