Attention Deficit Disorders (ADD and ADHD)
Attention deficit disorders, including Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have been on the rise over the last 20 years partly because of recognition and acceptance of these disorders. There are other behavioral problems that may mimic ADD or ADHD but are actually different. They include inattention, impulsivity, hyperactivity, and an inability to focus. These behaviors can affect children and adults alike.
The causes of these behaviors are in dispute. However there is a growing agreement by groups of medical practitioners poor dietary intake of essential nutrients, allergies to specific foods while food additives, and chronic early childhood ear infection all contribute to the higher incidence. While drugs have helped those people with attention disabilities, they also produce many unpleasant side effects for some of those people.
You have asked, “What can we do for ADD that may eliminate the use of pharmaceuticals?” The following of some suggestions that may help you cope with your situation. We don’t recommend that you try all the suggestions at once, and certainly, don’t stop any prescribed medication until you discuss it with your healthcare professional. Start with one or two of suggestions and built from that.
Lifestyle suggestions
- It is essential to get an accurate diagnosis from a healthcare professional with an expertise in ADD and ADHD. Only a qualified healthcare professional can give a correct diagnosis and help with a plan of action for you or your child. Not all ADDs and ADHDs are the same. Self-diagnosis is always a mistake and can cause serious problem for your child as well as for you.
- Eat a diet rich in whole grain, fresh food, whole fruits and vegetables, lean meat, poultry, fish and low-fat dairy.
- Limit the amount of sugar, especially in refined sugars, consumed on a daily basis. This includes soft drinks–The average soft drink contains 10 teaspoons of sugar. Diet sodas are not a good substitute and should be used infrequently.
- Omega-3 fatty acids, especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are essential fatty acids. Found in fish oil and flaxseed oil essentials fatty acids are important to a neurological and brain tissue development. Mothers who do not breast-feed should seek a healthcare professional’s help in adding DHA and other essential fatty acids to their infants diet. Researchers theorize EFA deficiency in infancy may be one of many reasons why the brain does not function properly later in life in individuals with ADD and ADHD.
- Work with a healthcare professional on food allergies. Many foods, especially packaged foods, contain additives, preservatives, artificial colors that can aggravate ADD and ADHD. Start by reducing the quantity of such food items a little bit at a time while introducing alternative choices in the diet, rather than removing everything at once.
- Encourage exercise. Exercise helps to change the hormonal-chemical reactions in the brain.
- In the case of children, work with the school and teacher for assistance with your child including remedial and tutorial classes.
- Talk with your child about the years, concerns, insecurities, etc. Seek the help of a counselor if necessary to assist in dealing with the issues.
Daily supplementation plan
- Vitamin C with bioflavonoids: adults 500-1000 mg, children 60-250 mg, product should contain equal amounts of vitamin C and mixed bioflavonoids.
- Vitamin E: adults 400 IU, children 100-200 IU, a fat-soluble antioxidant that helps prevent fat oxidation.
- Vitamin B complex: take as directed on label. Use natural and/or phosphorylated B-complex containing 100% of the RDI.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: fish oil: adults 1-3 g; children 1-2 g. Flaxseed oil: adult 1-3 tablespoons; children 1-2 tablespoons
- Passionflower: 150-450 mg, for calming when hyperactivity is present.
- Chamomile: 25-150 mg, or so for calming when hyperactivity is present. Caution: people with ragweed allergies could have a negative reaction.
Note: Where there is no recommendation for children, divide the child body weight by 150, then multiply the result by the number of tablet recommended on the label or the amount listed for adults.
May 14 2008 02:57 pm | Health