Researchers tested the blood vitamin levels of 657 children, including 219 with ADHD and 438 without it. They found that children with ADHD had significantly lower amounts of vitamins A, D, and E compared to healthy children. The vitamin deficiencies were linked to different types of ADHD symptoms. While these findings suggest that taking these vitamins might help treat ADHD, scientists say more research is needed to prove whether low vitamins actually cause ADHD or if it’s just a connection they noticed.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether children with ADHD have lower blood levels of vitamins A, D, and E, and if these vitamin levels connect to different ADHD symptoms
  • Who participated: 657 children aged 4-10 years old: 219 diagnosed with ADHD (different types) and 438 healthy children without ADHD
  • Key finding: Children with ADHD had significantly lower levels of all three vitamins (A, D, and E) compared to healthy children. The vitamin deficiencies were also linked to how severe their ADHD symptoms were
  • What it means for you: This research suggests that vitamin supplements might help manage ADHD symptoms, but doctors need to do more studies to confirm this works before making it a standard treatment. Talk to your child’s doctor before starting any vitamin supplements

The Research Details

Scientists collected blood samples from 657 children between ages 4 and 10. Of these, 219 children had been diagnosed with ADHD (broken into three groups: those with mainly attention problems, those with mainly hyperactivity problems, and those with mixed symptoms). The remaining 438 children were healthy controls with no ADHD diagnosis. Using a special laboratory technique called high-performance liquid chromatography, researchers measured exactly how much vitamin A, vitamin D (including two types called D2 and D3), and vitamin E was in each child’s blood. They also gave parents a questionnaire called the Weiss Functional Deficit Rating Scale to measure how much ADHD was affecting their child’s daily life and functioning.

This research approach is important because it compares actual blood vitamin measurements between children with and without ADHD, allowing researchers to see if there’s a real difference. By looking at different ADHD subtypes separately, the study helps identify whether vitamin deficiencies connect to specific types of ADHD symptoms. The functional rating scale adds real-world context by measuring how much the condition actually impacts children’s lives

This study has good reliability because it used a large sample size (657 children), precise laboratory testing methods, and compared ADHD children to a healthy control group. However, this is a cross-sectional study, meaning it took a snapshot in time rather than following children over months or years. This type of study can show connections between vitamins and ADHD but cannot prove that low vitamins cause ADHD

What the Results Show

Children with ADHD had noticeably lower blood levels of vitamins A, D, and E compared to healthy children. This pattern held true across all three types of ADHD. When researchers looked at specific ADHD subtypes, they found that children with attention-deficit type and mixed-type ADHD had particularly low vitamin D3 and vitamin A levels. Children with hyperactive-impulsive type ADHD also showed low vitamin D and A levels. The more severe a child’s ADHD symptoms were (measured by the functional rating scale), the lower their vitamin levels tended to be. This suggests a connection between how much vitamin a child has and how much their ADHD affects their daily life.

The research found that vitamin D (both the D2 and D3 forms) showed strong connections to ADHD symptoms across all subtypes. Vitamin A also showed consistent associations with ADHD in most groups. Vitamin E, while lower in ADHD children, showed slightly less dramatic differences. The functional deficits—meaning how much ADHD interfered with school, friendships, and family life—correlated with all three vitamin levels

Previous research has suggested links between vitamin D deficiency and various mental health conditions in children, including ADHD. This study adds to that evidence by measuring all three fat-soluble vitamins together and showing consistent patterns. However, most previous studies have been smaller or less comprehensive, making this research a more complete picture of the vitamin-ADHD connection

The biggest limitation is that this study only shows a connection between low vitamins and ADHD—it doesn’t prove that low vitamins cause ADHD. Children with ADHD might have low vitamins because of poor diet, less outdoor time (affecting vitamin D), or other factors. The study was also done at one point in time, so researchers couldn’t track whether vitamin levels changed or how that affected symptoms. Additionally, the study didn’t measure other factors that might affect both vitamins and ADHD, like diet quality or sun exposure

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, vitamin A, D, and E supplementation appears promising as a possible helper treatment for ADHD (moderate confidence level). However, this should only be done under a doctor’s supervision. Parents should not start giving children vitamin supplements based on this study alone. More research is needed to prove that supplements actually improve ADHD symptoms. If your child has ADHD, discuss vitamin testing and supplementation with their pediatrician or ADHD specialist

Parents of children with ADHD should be aware of this research and discuss it with their doctors. Children with ADHD who have poor diets or limited sun exposure may particularly benefit from vitamin testing. This research is less relevant for children without ADHD unless they have other reasons to be concerned about vitamin deficiencies. People should not use this as a reason to avoid standard ADHD treatments like medication or therapy

If vitamin supplementation does help ADHD symptoms, improvements would likely take several weeks to months to notice, similar to how long it takes for other nutritional changes to show effects. This is much slower than ADHD medications, which often work within days

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily vitamin intake (A, D, E) through supplements or food sources, and rate ADHD symptoms daily using a simple 1-10 scale. Record this for at least 8-12 weeks to see if there’s a pattern between vitamin intake and symptom severity
  • If working with a doctor on vitamin supplementation, use the app to set daily reminders for taking vitamins and log when doses are taken. Also track dietary sources of these vitamins (fatty fish, leafy greens, nuts, eggs) to build awareness of natural sources
  • Create a monthly summary comparing average symptom scores to vitamin intake levels. Share this data with your child’s doctor to help determine if supplementation is making a real difference. Include notes about other factors like sleep, exercise, and stress that might also affect symptoms

This research shows a connection between low vitamin levels and ADHD but does not prove that vitamins cause or cure ADHD. Do not start giving your child vitamin supplements based on this study alone. Always consult with your child’s pediatrician or ADHD specialist before beginning any supplementation. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. ADHD should continue to be managed with evidence-based treatments recommended by qualified healthcare providers, which may include medication, therapy, behavioral strategies, and educational support.