Is ELEVATE supplement a valid treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?

ELEVATE Supplement is Not a Valid Treatment for ADHD

ELEVATE supplement is not a valid treatment for ADHD as there is no evidence supporting its efficacy, and it is not among the FDA-approved medications or evidence-based treatments recommended by clinical practice guidelines. 1, 2

Evidence-Based ADHD Treatment Options

First-Line Treatments

1. FDA-Approved Medications

   • Stimulants: Highest level of evidence with effect size of approximately 1.0 1, 2
     • Methylphenidate (first-line preference)
     • Amphetamine derivatives
   • Non-stimulants: Effect size of approximately 0.7 1, 2
     • Atomoxetine
     • Extended-release guanfacine
     • Extended-release clonidine

2. Evidence-Based Behavioral Interventions

   • Parent training in behavior management 2
   • Behavioral classroom interventions 2
   • Behavioral contracts for adolescents 2

Supplements and Alternative Treatments for ADHD

The American Academy of Pediatrics explicitly states that nutritional supplements generally have limited evidence and should not be used as primary treatment for ADHD 2. Specific findings on supplements include:

• Zinc: Best evidence among supplements with two positive randomized controlled trials, but still insufficient to recommend as primary treatment 3
• Mixed/Limited Evidence: Carnitine, pycnogenol, and essential fatty acids 3
• Insufficient Evidence: Vitamins, magnesium, iron, SAM-e, tryptophan, and Ginkgo biloba with ginseng 3
• No Supporting Evidence: St. John's wort, tyrosine, phenylalanine 3

The benefits of even the most promising supplements are substantially smaller than the effect sizes observed for traditional pharmacological treatments of ADHD 4.

Why ELEVATE Supplement Should Not Be Used

1. Not FDA-approved: ELEVATE is not among the FDA-approved medications for ADHD treatment 1, 2

2. Not recommended in guidelines: None of the major clinical practice guidelines for ADHD (American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry) mention ELEVATE supplement as a valid treatment option 1, 2

3. Lack of evidence: There is no scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of ELEVATE supplement specifically for ADHD treatment in the medical literature 3, 4

Potential Risks of Using Unproven Supplements

• Delay in implementing evidence-based treatments
• Unknown interactions with other medications
• Possible adverse effects
• Financial burden without proven benefit
• False hope and disappointment when ineffective

Clinical Decision-Making Algorithm

1. Assess ADHD severity and impairment
2. Choose evidence-based treatment:
   • For preschool-aged children (4-5 years): Begin with behavioral therapy 1, 2
   • For school-aged children and adolescents: FDA-approved medications (preferably stimulants) with concurrent behavioral interventions 1, 2
3. Monitor response and adjust treatment as needed
4. Consider non-stimulants if stimulants are ineffective or poorly tolerated

Important Cautions

• Supplements marketed for ADHD may make unsubstantiated claims
• The FDA does not regulate supplements with the same rigor as medications
• Some supplements may contain ingredients not listed on the label or in varying amounts
• The suggestion that cannabidiol oil has any effect on ADHD is anecdotal and has not been subjected to rigorous study 1

When treating ADHD, always prioritize evidence-based approaches with established efficacy and safety profiles rather than unproven supplements like ELEVATE.