Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Description

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition driven largely by metabolic dysfunction, inflammation, disrupted neurotransmitter systems, and nutrient deficiencies. High-carbohydrate intake and repeated insulin spikes contribute to intestinal permeability (leaky gut), allowing endotoxins to enter the bloodstream and trigger systemic inflammation. These inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α) reach the brain and cause neuroinflammation, impairing dopamine and norepinephrine signaling in the prefrontal cortex—the exact circuits responsible for focus, impulse control, and working memory. Inflammation also disrupts dopamine transporter regulation, causing the brain to underproduce or inefficiently use dopamine.

ADHD is strongly influenced by HPA-axis dysregulation. Chronic stress and unstable blood sugar elevate cortisol and adrenaline, making attention inconsistent and increasing impulsivity and restlessness. Carbohydrate-driven glucose swings worsen this, creating cycles of hyperactivity, fatigue, irritability, and impaired executive function.

Nutrient deficiencies further aggravate symptoms. Individuals with ADHD commonly show low levels of zinc, iron, and magnesium—minerals essential for dopamine synthesis, receptor function, and neuronal stability. Zinc regulates dopamine receptors and enzyme activity, iron is required for tyrosine hydroxylase (the rate-limiting enzyme in dopamine production), and magnesium calms neuronal excitability and reduces hyperactivity. Low intake of animal foods is a major contributing factor.

Fasting, ketogenic diets, and carnivore diets directly target the root causes of ADHD by reducing inflammation, stabilizing blood sugar, restoring HPA-axis balance, and improving neurotransmitter function. Ketosis supplies ketones that reduce neuroinflammation, lower oxidative stress, and stabilize the prefrontal cortex. Stable blood sugar eliminates focus-destroying glucose crashes. High intake of animal-based protein provides the amino acids (tyrosine, phenylalanine) necessary for dopamine production, while supplying zinc, iron, and magnesium in their most bioavailable forms. Fat-based metabolism calms the nervous system by lowering cortisol and activating GABA pathways. Together, these shifts restore proper dopamine signaling, improve attention, reduce impulsivity, and stabilize mood.

Root Causes

Carbohydrate consumption

[ 1 ] Alireza Farsad-Naeimi et al. (2020) DOI PMID [ 2 ] Sejin Kim et al. (2020) DOI PMID [ 3 ] Amber L Howard et al. (2010) DOI PMID [ 1 ] Alireza Farsad-Naeimi et al. (2020) DOI PMID [ 4 ] Fatemeh Navab et al. (2025) DOI PMID [ 5 ] Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez et al. (2022) DOI PMCID PMID

Leaky Gut (Intestinal Permeability)

[ 6 ] Sheng-Yu Lee et al. (2023) DOI PMID [ 7 ] Liang-Jen Wang et al. (2023) DOI PMID

Systemic Inflammation

[ 8 ] Deepa Anand et al. (2017) DOI PMID [ 9 ] Błażej Misiak et al. (2022) DOI PMID [ 10 ] Isabel Schnorr et al. (2024) DOI PMID

HPA Axis Dysregulation

[ 11 ] Li Fulun et al. (2025) DOI PMID [ 12 ] Jane Pei-Chen Chang et al. (2021) DOI PMID

Insulin Resistance

[ 13 ] F S Facchini et al. (2001) DOI PMID

Nutrient Deficiency

[ 14 ] Klaus W Lange et al. (2023) DOI PMID

Treatment Options

Fasting

Ketogenic Diet

[ 15 ] Annick Huberts-Bosch et al. (2024) DOI PMID [ 16 ] Nanna Maria Uldall Torp et al. (2020) DOI PMID [ 17 ] Karolin Eder et al. (2025) DOI PMID [ 18 ] Yu Liu et al. (2023) DOI PMID [ 19 ] Naomi Elyse Omori et al. (2024) DOI PMID [ 14 ] Klaus W Lange et al. (2023) DOI PMID

Carnivore Diet

Sources

[1] Sugar consumption, sugar sweetened beverages and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis

[ 1 ] Alireza Farsad-Naeimi et al. (2020) DOI PMID

[2] Consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages before 2 Years of Age and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

[ 2 ] Sejin Kim et al. (2020) DOI PMID

[3] ADHD is associated with a "Western" dietary pattern in adolescents

[ 3 ] Amber L Howard et al. (2010) DOI PMID

[4] Associations between dietary inflammatory index (DII) scores and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children

[ 4 ] Fatemeh Navab et al. (2025) DOI PMID

[5] Dietary dThe Burden of Carbohydrates in Health and Disease

[ 5 ] Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez et al. (2022) DOI PMCID PMID

[6] Gut Leakage Markers and Cognitive Functions in Patients with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

[ 6 ] Sheng-Yu Lee et al. (2023) DOI PMID

[7] Gut mycobiome dysbiosis and its impact on intestinal permeability in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

[ 7 ] Liang-Jen Wang et al. (2023) DOI PMID

[8] Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder And Inflammation: What Does Current Knowledge Tell Us? A Systematic Review

[ 8 ] Deepa Anand et al. (2017) DOI PMID

[9] Peripheral blood inflammatory markers in patients with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): A systematic review and meta-analysis

[ 9 ] Błażej Misiak et al. (2022) DOI PMID

[10] Inflammatory biotype of ADHD is linked to chronic stress: a data-driven analysis of the inflammatory proteome

[ 10 ] Isabel Schnorr et al. (2024) DOI PMID

[11] Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction in children with ADHD: A systematic review and meta-analysis

[ 11 ] Li Fulun et al. (2025) DOI PMID

[12] Cortisol and inflammatory biomarker levels in youths with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): evidence from a systematic review with meta-analysis

[ 12 ] Jane Pei-Chen Chang et al. (2021) DOI PMID

[13] Insulin resistance as a predictor of age-related diseases

[ 13 ] F S Facchini et al. (2001) DOI PMID

[14] Nutrition in the Management of ADHD: A Review of Recent Research

[ 14 ] Klaus W Lange et al. (2023) DOI PMID

[15] Effects of an elimination diet and a healthy diet in children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: 1-Year prospective follow-up of a two-arm randomized, controlled study (TRACE study)

[ 15 ] Annick Huberts-Bosch et al. (2024) DOI PMID

[16] The use of diet interventions to treat symptoms of ADHD in children and adolescents - a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

[ 16 ] Nanna Maria Uldall Torp et al. (2020) DOI PMID

[17] The Acute and Long-Term Benefits of the Oligoantigenic Diet for Children and Adolescents on the Three Symptom Subdomains of ADHD: Inattention, Hyperactivity, and Impulsivity

[ 17 ] Karolin Eder et al. (2025) DOI PMID

[18] Ketogenic diet ameliorates attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in rats via regulating gut microbiota

[ 18 ] Yu Liu et al. (2023) DOI PMID

[19] Exogenous ketone bodies and the ketogenic diet as a treatment option for neurodevelopmental disorders

[ 19 ] Naomi Elyse Omori et al. (2024) DOI PMID