My blogging on ADHD supplements would not be complete without a discussion on phosphatidylserine (PE). Phosphatidylserine is a nutrient in the phospholipid class of vitamins. We know from a slew of studies that the phospholipids play a key role in brain functioning. The two most common phospholipid supplements are phosphatidylcholine (lecithin) and phosphatidylserine.
Somewhere along the line in the ADHD community, Phosphatidylserine (probably because it cost like a zillion dollars more than lecithin) became the 'silver bullet' and must have phospholipid to help with symptoms of hyperactivity.
I must admit that I drank the Kool-aid and jumped on the Phosphatidylserine wagon a few years ago. My eldest son had just started second grade and I had not yet come to terms with the fact we both had primarily inattentive ADHD and I was doing everything and anything I could to try to improve his 'la-la land' personality.
I started giving him this yucky brown liquid with Phosphatidylserine in it which the health food store said would cure his spaceness. He hated it and it was so disgusting that I flushed it down the toilet. I have that yucky liquid to thank for the start of my study of the causes of his (and my) inattentiveness.
Phosphatidylserine is in the same class of supplements as choline. Choline is a precursor of acetylcholine, which plays a role in brain development and brain functioning. In my researching I found tons of studies that show that choline supplementation during development resulted in improved thinking and behavioral performance in kids. This was a no brainer for me, my kids started drinking more soy milk and eating more eggs and taking Flinstone chewables with Choline. There is choline in other foods as well. The amount of choline in certain foods is listed at the end of this blog.
I believe that kids should get their nutrients from food whenever possible but I also know that kids are picky eaters. A choline vitamin for our ADHD kids will not hurt them and will likely be helpful.
* Beef liver - pan-fried - 100 grams (about 3.5 oz) - 418 mg
* Whole large egg - 112 mg choline
* Beef (ground) 80% lean/20% fat - 3.5 oz patty - 81 mg
* Cauliflower - 3/4 C cooked (1" pieces) - 62 mg
* Navy beans - 1/2 C cooked - 48 mg
* Tofu - 100 grams (about 3.5 oz) - 28 mg
* Almonds - sliced - 1/2 cup - 26 mg
* Peanut butter - 2 T - 20 mg
Somewhere along the line in the ADHD community, Phosphatidylserine (probably because it cost like a zillion dollars more than lecithin) became the 'silver bullet' and must have phospholipid to help with symptoms of hyperactivity.
I must admit that I drank the Kool-aid and jumped on the Phosphatidylserine wagon a few years ago. My eldest son had just started second grade and I had not yet come to terms with the fact we both had primarily inattentive ADHD and I was doing everything and anything I could to try to improve his 'la-la land' personality.
I started giving him this yucky brown liquid with Phosphatidylserine in it which the health food store said would cure his spaceness. He hated it and it was so disgusting that I flushed it down the toilet. I have that yucky liquid to thank for the start of my study of the causes of his (and my) inattentiveness.
Phosphatidylserine is in the same class of supplements as choline. Choline is a precursor of acetylcholine, which plays a role in brain development and brain functioning. In my researching I found tons of studies that show that choline supplementation during development resulted in improved thinking and behavioral performance in kids. This was a no brainer for me, my kids started drinking more soy milk and eating more eggs and taking Flinstone chewables with Choline. There is choline in other foods as well. The amount of choline in certain foods is listed at the end of this blog.
I believe that kids should get their nutrients from food whenever possible but I also know that kids are picky eaters. A choline vitamin for our ADHD kids will not hurt them and will likely be helpful.
* Beef liver - pan-fried - 100 grams (about 3.5 oz) - 418 mg
* Whole large egg - 112 mg choline
* Beef (ground) 80% lean/20% fat - 3.5 oz patty - 81 mg
* Cauliflower - 3/4 C cooked (1" pieces) - 62 mg
* Navy beans - 1/2 C cooked - 48 mg
* Tofu - 100 grams (about 3.5 oz) - 28 mg
* Almonds - sliced - 1/2 cup - 26 mg
* Peanut butter - 2 T - 20 mg
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