Suppliment Pros

ADHD can be very upsetting for parents, children, teachers and caretakers alike. Because there is no laboratory or physical test that diagnoses ADHD, its diagnosis is based on a clinical history of symptoms and behavior. Which brings up controversy as to whether the behavior is actually normal in many cases, especially for younger boys.

SYMPTOMS

• Inability to sit still
• Mood swings
• Restlessness
• Short attention span
• Inability to concentrate
• Frequent tantrums
• Speech or learning disorders
• Impaired memory
• Failure to complete age-appropriate tasks
• Impulsiveness

ROOT CAUSES

• A diet that’s high in sugar and additives
• Food allergies/sensitivities
• Hypoglycemia
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Poor digestion and absorption
• Emotional stresses

There are three subtypes of ADHD, one of which mainly involves an attention problem and not a hyperactivity issue. Between 30 and 40 percent of children with ADHD have learning disabilities, although in many cases these children are quite bright. ADHD often goes undiagnosed, if not caught at an early age, and it affects many adults who may not be aware of their condition.

Many parents instinctively believe that the problem is connected to their children’s diet. They know that children can respond negatively to sugar or other foods, and they wonder if their child is simply suffering from an extreme version of this reaction. In the last few decades, sugars, preservatives, and colorings have been added to our food at an increasing rate.

Do not underestimate the role of emotional stress and its relationship to ADHD. The breakdown of the family unit in our culture places abnormal stresses on a child, which can result in attention and behavior changes.

Many children consume nothing but convenience foods, like hot dogs, fried chicken fingers, highly sweetened fruit drinks and sodas. Since small bodies are especially vulnerable to additives in these foods, it is not surprising that many of them have a toxic response. For some, the response takes the form of traditional allergies-say, a runny nose or hives. Others, however, the poisons surface as extreme behavior problems.

Unfortunately, Western doctors have been trained to discount the importance of diet in hyperactive children. Instead of nutritional therapy, they will often suggest medication to suppress the symptoms of ADHD: it is estimated that more than two million children take drugs like Ritalin on a daily basis. While medications may be necessary in a few cases, parents should cultivate a healthy wariness of giving them to their children. The long-term effects of ADHD medications are not yet well known, and there are signs that the drugs can retard growth and lead to substance abuse or emotional problems later in life. Teens who take Ritalin may be tempted to mix it with alcohol, marijuana, or other recreational drugs, creating a dangerous brew with unknown consequences. Also with many conventional prescription drugs, the most compelling argument against ADHD drugs is that they fail to address the cause of the problem. Without the underlying cause being treated, children may have to take Ritalin well into their twenties.

There are many factors working against all of us in our culture of diets of processed foods. The best way to ensure that your child eats an additive-free diet is to buy only fresh foods and prepare them yourself. You don’t need to prepare special meals for your child: instead, feed your entire family a whole-foods diet. Younger children will usually eat what everyone else is eating, especially if you can reserve a small portion for them before you season the meal for the adults.

Regularly serve brain-healthy foods that are rich in essential fatty acids. Examples include fish (trout, salmon, halibut), nuts (walnuts, almonds), and ground flaxseeds.

If your child suffers from ADHD, it is likely that he or she is allergic to at least one food product.You may already suspect that a certain food is a trigger for your child, and you should target that product right away. Also you should closely examine your child’s consumption of the following, all of which are common allergens:

• Wheat
• Corn
• Chocolate
• Peanuts
• Citrus
• Dairy
• Soy
• Food coloring
• Preservatives

A study involving youths ages 4-19 with ADHD found that daily supplementation of phosphatidylserine (a naturally occurring substance found in high concentrations in brain cells, it helps brain cells function properly) at dosages between 200-300 mg daily for 4 months benefited greater than 90 percent of cases. Attention and learning were the symptoms most improved.

Calcium and magnesium complex: the combination of these 2 minerals, at a dosage of 500 mg of calcium and 250 mg of magnesium twice daily was reported to relax the nervous system.

Take a probiotic to maintain good bacteria in the digestive tract.

Iron deficiency is linked to short attention spans and memory problems. A daily tablespoon of unsulfured blackstrap molasses is a naturally sweet way to give your child an adequate amount of this mineral.

B vitamins are healing to stressed-out nerves. Good sources include brown rice, brewer’s yeast (which you can add to smoothies and yogurt), and leafy green vegetables.

Many children with ADHD suffer from an excess of copper or lead. Food that’s high in vitamin C will encourage the release of these toxins from the body, so feed your child citrus fruits for dessert.

Encourage your child to play or exercise outside in the fresh air. Limit exposure to sedentary, passive activities, like watching television or playing video games.

Work with a counselor to help your child with behavior modification and learning styles. Every child is different and requires an individualized approach. Emotional counseling may be necessary for healing, especially in cases of broken families or abuse.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 16th, 2008 at 11:06 am and is filed under Nutrition, Supplements, Vitamins. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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