Magnesium helps a bit, but sugar in my experience is ADHD in powder form. The least carbs I eat, the better my brain functions. On a complete carnivore (i.e. zero carb) diet experiment, after the initial adaptation, my focus and motivation is increased 10-fold. But then I get bored, I cheat and I go into a deep unmotivated funk for a week.
It makes sense, as ADHD is mostly a dopamine-system imbalance, and carbs tend to increase the levels of tryptophan (serotonin), while proteins increase tyrosine (dopamine). The higher the levels of one, the lower the levels of the other. I'm a layman, this is my pet theory, but there's definitely not enough focus on the dietary aspect of mental health in my opinion.
It makes sense, as ADHD is mostly a dopamine-system imbalance, and carbs tend to increase the levels of tryptophan (serotonin), while proteins increase tyrosine (dopamine). The higher the levels of one, the lower the levels of the other. I'm a layman, this is my pet theory, but there's definitely not enough focus on the dietary aspect of mental health in my opinion.