|
A NATURAL APPROACH
to
ADD
/ ADHD
Article by herbalist Dave
Hawkins, MH, CNC
Attention
Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are
two classifications used for describing behavioral problems associated with
children and some adults. Focus on ADD
/ ADHD has been on the increase in our
country.
The
most popular method of
treatment is the use of drugs such as Ritalin and Dexedrine; two powerful drugs
with numerous side effects. Many parents are concerned
about using these drugs
and have voiced their concerns.
Are there any natural alternatives to using drug
therapy in the treatment of this condition?
Let’s
first discuss ADD and ADHD and the
theories that support its causes.
According to Taber’s medical dictionary, ADD and ADHD are described as
“increased or excessive activity.”
It further states “this condition is not
easily defined because the claim that a child is hyperactive may be based on a
low tolerance level of the person caring for the child.”
Let’s look at some of the statistics surrounding
Attention Deficit Disorder and some of the symptoms. It is estimated that approximately 3%
of the US childhood
population and 10% of the total US
population have been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD.
Many experts believe that, in
reality, it is more like 20% of our population.
ADHD is
nearly ten times more common in boys than girls and about 50% of cases appear
before age four. Symptoms include
for ADHD;
·
Excessively
fidgets or squirms
·
Easily
distracted
·
Difficulty
awaiting turn in games
·
Blurts
out answers to questions
·
Difficulty
following instructions
·
Difficulty
sustaining attention
·
Shifts
from one activity to another
·
Difficulty
playing quietly
·
Often
loses things
·
Often
engages in dangerous activities
This
list is taken directly from the American
Psychiatric Association’s latest “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorder.” To qualify for a diagnosis of ADHD, a child must
exhibit eight of
the symptoms for a period longer than six months, and the symptoms must have
appeared before age seven.
You don’t have to be hyperactive to have
Attention Deficit Disorder. In fact, up to 30% of children with ADD are not
hyperactive at all: but they still have trouble focusing. Mary Ann Block, DO, author of No More Ritalin, has spent many
years researching and
treating ADD/ADHD with natural therapies at her clinic in
the Dallas
area.
She said three areas need to be addressed. Based on her observations, the
most common underlying cause of behavioral disorders is hypoglycemia, which
means low-blood sugar. The second most common cause in Attention
Deficit Disorder cases is food allergies, and
third is nutrient deficiency. A possible
fourth cause is heavy metal toxicity.
Low blood sugar causes the adrenal glands to
respond by releasing adrenaline as an attempt to normalize the blood sugar.
This, in turn, can cause many of the symptoms described along with headaches,
insomnia, rapid heartbeat, and sugar cravings.
This can happen when children simply do not eat enough food.
Three meals
a day are recommended with the addition of wholesome snacks between meals.
Refined sugar foods as well as foods containing aspartame (Nutrasweet)
need to be avoided.
Also,
eliminate soft drinks and overly concentrated fruit
juices. Foods high in protein compared
to carbohydrates will help to normalize blood sugar. Complex carbohydrates are
preferred in the form of whole grain cereals and breads, fresh fruits and
vegetables.
The
main allergens that seem to affect children
are artificial colorings, especially red food dye, flavorings and chemical
additives. Dr. Lendon Smith and Dr. Feingold both
mention that by eliminating these substances, benefits can be seen within a
short period of time. This means that you will have to start reading labels.
You will be shocked to see how
many products contain these chemicals.
Look out
for over-the-counter multi-vitamins, toothpaste and soft drinks.
At the top of
Dr. Smith’s list of sensitive foods are dairy products. He estimates that
50-70% of the childhood population is allergic to milk products. Try
eliminating milk from the diet and see what happens. There are many milk
alternatives such as soymilk or rice milk.
Also wheat and corn can be potential allergens.
Nutritional deficiency plays a big role in
correcting some of the potential metabolic imbalances that can cause
ADD/ADHD. Such as:
·
B
Complex Vitamins – Needed for proper metabolism of carbohydrates and proteins
and to assist with nerve function
·
Vitamin
C, Vitamin E, Beta Carotene – Work as anti-oxidants
·
Calcium/Magnesium
– Works to calm the nervous system
·
Acidophilus
– Aids digestion and absorption of nutrients
There are some
specialty supplements that
recently have been showing promise when dealing with ADD/ADHD:
·
Evening
Primrose Oil or Flax Oil – Research is showing that an essential fatty acid
deficiency is present in a large percentage of those diagnosed.
·
Pycnogenol – An antioxidant derived from the
maritime pine.
Dr. Richard A. Passwater,
one of our nation’s most respected biochemists, has documented the research
done on Proanthocyanidin’s effectiveness in Europe.
Proanthocyanidins gives
relief from as many as 60 different degenerative health challenges,
including
ADD/ADHD.
·
Phosphatidylcholine/Phosphatidylserine – Two nutrients from
soy that affect brain cells and nerve function and help to improve cognitive
abilities.
·
DMAE
– Known to increase intelligence, memory, and learning abilities. It works in conjunction with other
neurotransmitters.
·
GABA-Gaba Amino Butyric Acid -- A neurotransmitter that calms
nerve transmission. Available in the
supplement form.
There are
many formulas in chewable form that
will combine these nutrients. Many also
will contain some of the herbal calmatives such as valerian root, scullcap, lemon balm, gota kola,
chamomile, and passionflower.
The
fourth concern is heavy metal toxicity.
Lead, copper, cadmium and mercury have been shown to interfere with
neurological functions of the nervous system and inhibit proper mineral
balance.
One way to find out if this is a problem is with the use of hair
analysis, which tests for thirty-six minerals and six toxic minerals and their
relationship to each other.
Any discussion about ADD/ADHD needs to
deal with
the conventional treatment methods and the results of this therapy.
Ritalin is
one of the main drugs used to control ADD/ADHD.
Far too many psychiatrists
believe that this drug is the answer to many behavioral problems.
It is
understandable that in a school setting children with this problem need some
control.
I find it disheartening
the pressure that parents are subjected to
when their child is given the diagnosis that, by the way,
follows the child
throughout their school years.
Granted
there are some children where nothing else works, but one estimate stated that
more than 50% of the children on Ritalin were not truly ADD/ADHD.
You can check out
more information about Attention
Deficit Disorder (ADD) and
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) online at the
ADHD
Online Newsletter at www.nlci.com/nutrition.
|
.gif){kind=logo}
.gif)
.gif){kind=logo}
.gif)
.jpg)
.jpg)