Overcoming ADHD

Estimates are that at least fifteen million American children and adults are affected with Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADD / ADHD). Symptoms vary widely and most frequently are as follows: impulsivity, distractibility, restlessness, inability to sustain concentration, frequent inability to complete tasks, mood swings, forgetting where things are, temper tantrums, disorganization, difficulty in coping with stress and, of course, hyperactivity.

Ideally, the individual believed to be suffering from ADD should have a complete medical evaluation, preferably by a doctor with an eye for or a specialty in preventative medicine. The reason a specialist in preventative medicine or ‘holistic medicine’ should be sought, is because only in this way might serious underlying medical conditions be uncovered. Below are listed a few of the major items a specialist should look into before prescribing some powerful drug to treat this ‘disorder’:

• A Brain Tumor
• Allergies (many allergies can affect cognitive/brain functioning)
• Lack of Essential Fatty Acids (DHA/EPA)
• Heavy Metal Toxicity such as from Mercury or Lead
• A B-Vitamin Deficiency, such as B-6
• An Iron, Magnesium or Zinc Deficiency (these are essential minerals)
• Sensitivity to certain Food Additives
• Eye Disorders such as Irlen Syndrome or Convergence Insufficiency
• A Weak Immune System (from overuse of antibiotics, systemic yeast infection, poor dietary habits, etc.)
• Poor Thyroid function (from poor diet and/or excessive fluoride intake)

ADD or ADHD in children is commonly treated with psycho-stimulants like ADDerall, Ritalin, Dexadrine and Cylert. Anti-depressants are also frequently prescribed and these could include Wellbutrin, Norpramin, or Prosac. A newer medication called Strattera has just become available. Currently, some six to seven million children take Ritalin regularly to control their attention disorder/s, although this figure does vary with different reports. (Ninety percent of the worldwide prescriptions for Ritalin are in the United States which should lead the thoughtful individual to ask ‘why?’) Sometimes psychological counseling with or without behavioral modification is also used. However, a recent published study— funded by the National Institutes of Mental Health and Published in Family Practice News, and presented at the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry a few years ago, suggested that psychological counseling with medication did not improve the results. Conclusion? Drugs are ALL that’s needed! It is as if all the other modalities for treating this disorder did not exist! Not surprisingly, a drug or combination of drugs is, by far, the standard treatment for ADHD. This writer strongly disagrees with this approach as do literally thousands of other health-care professionals. (The bibliography at the end of this document, indicates the huge variety of literature supportive of this ‘holistic approach!’)

The conventional thinking has long been that children with hyperactivity, after treatment, will ‘outgrow’ their ‘disorder’. Unfortunately, this is not true since many a hyperactive child simply becomes a troubled teen or adult. In 1993, Dr. Salvatore Mannuzza and his colleagues did a study looking at adults who had been labeled as ‘hyperactive’ as children. His findings were that such adults were far more likely to have low paying jobs and poor self-esteem. A significant minority of them also committed irresponsible and violent acts. Speaking of violent acts, it should be noted that eighty-five percent of national school shootings have been from children on Ritalin or other medication (like Prosac)—legally prescribed for their ‘ADHD!’

A Serious National Dilemma

There are various reasons why medication has become the chosen method of treating ADHD. The most obvious is our society itself: We simply prefer to treat what ails us with a pill. Notwithstanding the ‘war on drugs,’ most Americans when confronted with a ‘health problem’ reach for a pill (or a doctor who will prescribe one). Yet the syndrome of ADD/ADHD usually has so many underlying factors that could cause or exacerbate it, the use of one or two medications almost certainly does nothing for removing whatever is the underlying biochemical or physiological cause/s! This is nothing new…an adult who frequently gets sick because they eat too much junk, fail to eat enough fresh fruits/vegetables or drink enough pure water (to keep their immune systems healthy), often seeks relief from a pill (prescription or over-the-counter drug). Why should the treatment of an ADD/ADHD child be any different? Hence, like any ‘ailment’, the dedication to uncovering ‘causes’ and treating ADD/ADHD without drugs (when possible) is hard work that takes determination, patience and…knowledge!

In addition, it is easier to teach a classroom in which everyone is ‘well-behaved’ and ‘controllable.’ That average children don’t, as a rule, sit still for very long seems to have been lost amongst those treating ADD or ADHD. This is not to deny, however, the need to have order in the classroom! Also, many parents (and those treated), have remarked how a certain ‘spark’ or creativity is lost upon those being treated with a drug whose action in the brain is almost identical to cocaine (e.g. Ritalin). Mostly, however, our children’s brains are so negatively affected by their lack of adequate essential fats (starting with bottle feeding as infants!), a lifelong diet of fast food, junk food, high sugar meals, soda (some 55 gallons per year per child), chocolate, sweets and Lunchables® that it is a wonder that any of them can sit still! [The interested reader might begin with reading the following book: The Crazy Makers—How the Food Industry Is Destroying Our Brains and Harming Our Children, written by Nutritionist, Carol Simontacchi, 2000.]

Also, because of strict managed care rules, investigations of underlying causes of a child’s ADD/ADHD is strongly discouraged since such investigations require extra tests which are time consuming and not usually reimbursed whereas drug treatments are. In other words, tests to rule out DHA deficiency, yeast overgrowth or food allergies are more than likely, not being performed. Other reasons such tests are not being performed is because many doctors aren’t asking the requisite questions or even admitting that certain other factors may be at work in causing the symptom picture commonly called ADD or ADHD. Still, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that the environment in which children grow up (pesticides in food, neurotoxic food additives, hydrogenated fats, sugar laden and otherwise non-nutritious ‘food’), in addition to stressful home environments (hard working or sometimes single parent families), can contribute to maladaptive behaviors like ADHD.

Holistic Diagnosis and Treatment

The holistic model for the treatment of ADD recognizes that there are numerous potential underlying biochemical and other factors that could affect brain function and cause the symptom picture of ADD or ADHD. Still, in order for a proper treatment to be implemented around the holistic model, comprehensive testing and investigation will be necessary. Such testing would eliminate as contenders the underlying medical conditions listed earlier. Meanwhile, it would behoove all parents to be sure their children were at least doing the following to help improve behavior before undergoing a battery of tests that would, quite possibly, be paid for ‘out of pocket.’

1) A mineral rich diet will help to reduce cravings for sugar and sugary snacks and also help to control hyperactivity and impulsiveness. A mineral supplement should contain at least 300 mgs. Magnesium, 300 mgs of Calcium (this is not a misprint), 25 mgs of zinc, 5-10 mgs. of iron (depending upon gender, age and iron status) and 200 mcgs of chromium (this helps to regulate blood sugar and control wild blood sugar fluctuations.
2) An EPA and DHA supplement (300 mgs DHA and 500 mgs. EPA) will support healthy brain functioning.
3) On mornings when a high-protein breakfast is not eaten, consume a high protein (no aspartame) shake with at least twenty to thirty grams of protein, depending on age, size and activity level.
4) If your child has mercury amalgam fillings (they’re 48-52% mercury, and only 30% silver so this is accurate verbiage), have them replaced with composite fillings. In the meantime, take herbal blood cleansing supplements such as Solaray SP-25 to detoxify the body from mercury dangers. Most mercury in our bodies’ comes from dental fillings, not (as is commonly believed), from fish in our diets. Also, a diet high in dark green leafy vegetables and minerals will help to detoxify the body from mercury and other heavy metals.
5) Forget reducing ones consumption of soda! A better rule? Don’t drink it at all! Soda has no vitamins, no minerals, 9-12 teaspoons of sugar per 12 ounces, up to 61 mgs. of caffeine per can and depletes the body of B-vitamins, calcium, magnesium and other nutrients. It has a very low ‘acidic’ pH (try as low as 2.5!) and is extraordinarily bad for ones health. It takes the place of nutritious foods and snacks and whether one does or does not have ‘ADHD’, it is best to avoid soda in all forms. To think that the average child drinks some 55 gallons per year and is expected to ‘behave normally’ is ludicrous! Instead of soda, try drinking fresh fruit or vegetable juices or maybe, just a glass of good, filtered water!
6) Limit consumption of junk food, sugary snacks, Lunchables® (and similar junk), additive laden foods, etc. When possible, try to eat as much organically grown (pesticide-free) foods as possible. These foods are also tastier and more nutritious than the standard fruits and vegetables purchased in most supermarkets!
7) Eating healthy foods takes forethought and careful planning. Learn how to prepare healthy foods with an emphasis on whole grains, wholesome animal products (if you’re not a vegetarian), BGH-free dairy products, fresh fruits, vegetables, tubers, nuts and seeds. When offering snacks to children or teenagers, offer choices such as: “Would you like an apple or some almonds as a snack?” Also, snacks such as baby carrots, raisins, fresh fruit, chips made with unhydrogenated oils, unroasted nuts, whole grain crackers, etc., should be kept around the house.
8) A basic multi-vitamin supplement will help ensure that a child/teenager is getting better all-around nutrition. A vitamin C supplement will also help with enhancing a child’s immune system, detoxify their bodies (from, for example, environmental pollutants as well as pesticides in conventionally grown fruits and vegetables) and helping with stress-relief. (B-complex vitamins and vitamin C are the ‘stress relieving’ vitamins).
9) There are many nutritional supplements that enhance ones brain function and these could include any of the following items: Lecithin, Phosphatidyl Serine, Gota kola, Gingko biloba (although this is primarily used with adults, it does help improve blood flow to the brain), general (but additive free) Multi-vitamin supplements, and much more. Even drinking a few extra glasses of pure (filtered) water per day will enhance mental functioning (especially in the elderly).
10) Watch half as much T.V. and Exercise more! Exercise increases absorption of nutrients, blood flow to the brain, helps to prevent or reverse depression and has numerous other advantages. In fact, daily vigorous exercise helps make everything—including ones brain, work much better! A fit body can help build a fit brain!

So ten ‘basics’ that you can start implementing today to help maximize your focus, attentiveness and productivity. Such changes may not be easy however, if you gradually implement the changes, the results will be worth it!

Reference Books on ADHD:

1. ADD & Hyperactivity: the All-in-One-Guide to
2. Amen, Daniel G. (author of Change Your Brain, Change Your Life), Healing ADD
3. Anderson, Nina and Peiper, Dr. Howard: ADD, the Natural Approach
4. Block, Mary Ann (two excellent books): No More Ritalin & also: No More ADHD
5. Breggin, Peter: Toxic Psychiatry
6. Broadus, Loren: How to Stop Procrastinating & Start Living
7. Crook, William: Help for the Hyperactive Child
8. Ehret, Arnold: Physical Fitness thru a Superior Diet, Fasting and Dietetics (small booklet—superb!)
9. Healy, Jane M., Ph.D., Failure to Connect: How Computers Affect Our Children’s Minds—and What We Can Do About It Note: Healy is ALSO author of the book: Endangered Minds
10. Hoffman, Ronald, M.D.: The Natural Approach to Attention Deficit Disorder
11. Murray, Michael, N.D., The Healing Power of Herbs (for reference re: herbs for ADHD)
12. Paramananda, Swami: Concentration and Meditation
13. Reichenberg-Ullman, Judyth & Robert (both N.D.’s): Ritalin Free Kids
14. Romm, Aviva & Tracy ~: ADHD Alternatives, A Natural Approach to Treating Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
15. Simontacchi, Carol: The Crazy Makers, How the Food Industry is Destroying Our Brains and Harming Our Children
16. Stapleton, Richard M., Lead is a Silent Hazard
17. Stevens, Laura J., M.S.: 12 Effective Ways to Help Your ADD/ADHD Child
18. Stordy, B. Jacqueline & Nicholl, Malcolm J.: The LCP Solution, The Remarkable Nutritional Treatment for ADHD, Dyslexia & Dyspraxia (Note: LCP stands for “Long-Chain Polyunsaturates”)
19. Truss, Orian C., M.D.,: The Missing Diagnosis: Chronic Candidiasis
20. Waterhouse, M.V., Training the Mind Through Yoga
21. Ziff, Sam & Michael F. ~, D.D.S.: Dentistry Without Mercury
22. Ziff, Sam: The Toxic Time Bomb; Can Mercury in Your Dental Fillings Poison You?

Brain Power & Memory Books…Top Fifteen

(Brain Fitness/Creativity, Memory Enhancement):

a. Khalsa, Dharma Singh, M.D.: Brain Longevity, The Breakthrough Medical Program that Improves Your Mind and Memory…Regenerate Your Concentration, Energy and Learning Ability for a Lifetime of Peak Mental Performance
b. Le Poncin, Monique: Brain Fitness, A Proven Program to Improve Your Memory, Logic, Attention Span, Organizational Ability…
c. Stine, Jean Marie: Double Your Brain Power, Increase Your Memory by Using All of Your Brain All the Time
d. Winter, Arthur, M.D. & Ruth: Build Your Brain Power, The Latest Techniques to Preserve, Restore and Improve Your Brain’s Potential
e. Yepsen, Roger B.: How to Boost Your Brain Power, Achieving Peak Intelligence, Memory & Creativity
f. Aleinikov, Andrei G., Mega Creativity, Five Steps to Thinking like a Genius!
g. Crook, Thomas H.: The Memory Cure (mostly about Phosphatidyl Serine)
h. Hancock, Jonathan, Maximize Your Memory, Techniques and Exercises for Remembering Just About Anything!
i. Lapp, Danielle C.: Don’t Forget, Easy Exercises for a Better Memory at Any Age!
j. Lorayne, Harry: (5 Books): The Memory Book, How to Develop a Super Power Memory, Secrets of Mind Power, Super Memory, Super Student and How to Remember Names and Faces
k. Minninger, Joan, PhD., (author of Total Recall!) & Dugan, Eleanor: Make Your Mind Work for You, New Mind-Power Techniques to Improve Memory, Beat Procrastination, Increase Energy, and much More!