What effect does sugar have on Concerta & Intunive?

We use to think sugar was the culprit concerning our son's hyperactivity.However, when we removed the red dyes and wheat we saw a huge difference. The teachers also noticed a difference. But, what really made us pay attention was when our then 8 years old son said he could not stop running when he ate certain things. Believe me this was a challenge because, there is red dye in Doritos,hard candy and many kid's drinks. We had to become red dye warriors but, it was and is worth it still is!

First - No sugar is not the cause of the ADHD. Sugar may cause the child problems someday, but that would be called diabetes. My daughter was diagnosed with ADHD when she was very young. She only slept 3 or 4 hours a night and the Dr told us to try Mt. Dew. The caffeine helped her to sleep! Like caffeine, Concerta is a stimulant. The stimulant helps the frontal lobe produce the chemical it is lacking to be able to concentrate. So, no it is not the sugar. My guess, it may not be ADHD as much as it is lack of parenting. If a child can eat candy and junk all day long, the child probably is lacking discipline. Unfortunately, when a child becomes unruly due to the lack of discipline and daily routines, the parents run to the Dr and want help for a problem they don't want to take the time to deal with. Doctors over-diagnose ADHD cases to make parents happy. Sad but true.

He may not even need the meds if he didnt have as much sugar. My son was ADHD and I know Drs will often tell you it is not due to sugar but I could see it happen with my son. Any high sugar food and he would kick into "extra" overdrive! I tried to limit his sugar intake but it is hard! All that crap is just empty calories providing no good nutrition for his developing body and brain. Kids on these medications often dont eat well anyway because the meds dull the appetite so breakfast is one of the most important meals because it is often their "best" meal because the meds havent affected their appetite yet. There are foods that are more nutritious that are quick. Even if he could get Ensure or Boost with his meals would at least give him better nutrition and these supplemental drinks are sweet so they like them.

Sugar is a powerful drug in itself, much more than we realize. And the food industry purposely puts sugar into things to get us addicted and craving for our "fix". Try taking away his sugar and you'll be in for a fight! Try to enlist him and the other family members in wanting to eat healthy, to make a positive change. It's not easy to get off the sugar - he's going to have to want to make the change. Could make all the difference in the world - sugar clouds our feelings and emotions - keeps us numb to what is going on around us, and yet can give us bursts of erratic energy. I know - I've been trying to get off of it for 14 months now! Best wishes - ElizaJane

All that sugar probably just feeds into the adhd. You are correct.