Welcome to
the October , November and December 1998 ADHD ezine.
These are the earliest
ADHD ezines.
October '98
Below are the contents of the ezine. Click on the topics of interest and
you will immediately get to that portion of the ezine.
November '98
This ezine, we have collected:
Applying the Fatty acids topically…will it work?
December 1st '98
October '98
Hi,
How are you going with your ADHD person?
We are getting a lot of information coming back to us as we meet more
and more people through the Net, who are dealing with the same ADHD
behaviours as you are .As many people who contact us, feel as if they are
alone with this problem, we thought it may be helpful to send you the latest
we have found on ADHD.
If you don't want to receive any updates from us , just let us know,
on our email and we will take you
off the mailing list.
As you know, many people are using the IDN product Optimum
Omega. This is the fatty acid supplement which
research is showing may be able to help ADHD people. Together with the
multi- vitamin, Jungamals
the $30 monthly cost of the two supplements is proving to be a wonderful
investment for a lot of people, both adults and children, as they work
to modify the classic ADHD behaviours without drugs.
We thought you might like to read the following articles we found on
the internet
"Striking results from a major ongoing research programme on Dyslexia.
Dyspraxia and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) show that
lipid (fat) supplementation can make a child less clumsy and more able
to catch a
ball within 12 weeks These findings are supported by observations from
leading UK medical research centres indicating unusual brain lipid
biochemistry in people with Dyslexia.
Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and ADHD are closely associated. Some children have
only one of these disorders but many have two or all three leading to
problems, which are extremely distressing both for the child and his or
her
parents. Such problems often lead to disruptive behaviour and school failure.
(Now does that sound familiar?)
An abnormal EFA metabolism could explain the unusual preponderance of
allergic and autoimmune problems in dyslexics and their relatives as
EFAs can affect immune function.
Although measuring EFA levels in blood provides some evidence that
dietary supplementation pumps more fatty acids into the body, brain
scans can show what is actually happening in the brain. Dr Alex
Richardson, from Oxford University and Charing Cross and Westminister
Medical School in London will use adult volunteers rather than children
because it is easier to measure the results of brain scans in adults.
Each volunteer will be scanned to investigate their metabolism both
before and after they have been given several months of dietary
supplementation.
Senior research fellow Dr Basant Puri has already used the scanning
technique at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School at Hammersmith
Hospital, London, to demonstrate an unusual fatty acid biochemistry
in
the brains of those people with dyslexia." Such people have problems
manufacturing membranes in the brain," he said. "A small genetic
difference may be responsible - dyslexia is known to run in families
-
which could be remedied by adding certain fatty acids to the diet,"
he
added.
The study will add more information to an ongoing research programme
aimed at helping children with dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD.
The supplement Optimum
Omega contains a combination of the finest Omega
3 fatty acids (including EPA and DHA) and other Omega 3 fatty acids,
deodorized garlic and vitamin E, which may promote the take-up of the
essential fatty acids into the brain and eye.
WHAT IS
ADHD?
Nearly all children are overactive and inattentive at times, but for ADHD
children and their families their behaviour is extreme and completely disruptive.
ADHD is thought to affect between 3 and 5% of the school age population.
In
general ADHD is estimated to be 3 or 4 times commoner in boys. For some
there is remission at puberty but for others the condition, if untreated,
continues to blight their adult life. Generally the ADHD child is unable
to
concentrate, constantly moves around, and has poor school performance
compared with intelligence. Their behaviour at home and at school is
disruptive.
In Infants
Extreme restlessness, crying, poor sleep patterns
Difficult to feed
Constant thirst
Frequent tantrums, head banging and rocks the cot
In older children
Poor concentration and brief attention span
Increased activity - always on the go
Impulsive - doesn't stop to think
Fearless and takes undue risks
Poor co-ordination
Weak short term memory
Inflexible personality
Lacks self esteem
Sleep and appetite problems continue
Normal or high 10 but underperform at school
Not all infants and children with ADHD have all the features of the condition
and there are different degrees of severity
.
References
1Omega-3 Fatty Acids in boys with behaviour, learning and health problems.
L
Stevens et al. Physiology & Behaviour; 1996: Vol 59. Nos 4/5. pp 915-920.
2Essential Fatty Acid metabolism in boys with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder L Stevens et al. Amer. Journal of clinical Nutrition 1995; 62:761-8.
Questions and Answers
Studies conducted by research scientists
Dr Jackie Stordy (University of
Surrey) and Dr Maria Makrides (Flinders University) and other academic
investigators have demonstrated that the inclusion of this combination
of fatty
acids in the diet can play an important role in helping to maintain eye
and brain
function.
Why
are these Fatty Acids Important?
Fatty acids are vital components of every living cell in the body and are
extremely important for vision, hearing and brain function.The size of
the brain
in both animals and humans depends on the supply of essential fatty acids.
AA
is required for normal transmission of messages along nerves and for laying
down of memory. DHA is required for normal nerve cell and eye membranes.
The body may be able to make its own AA from linolenic acid (LA) found
in
vegetable oils and DHA from alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) found in dark green
vegetables. However there are times when the body's ability to do this
may be
reduced. Moreover, certain dietary and lifestyle factors such as excess
saturated fat, alcohol, viral infections and stress can (block the natural
conversion processes) with the result that not all diets ensure an adequate
supply at all times.
Can't People just eat more oily fish?
Oily fish does provide DHA but you would have to eat large quantities
frequently to provide the amounts needed. Furthermore oily fish does not
provide the AA and DGLA needed.
Can you recognize lots and lots of similar behaviour in all those notes
to what you have experienced and shared with us.?
The best thing about fatty acids are they are natural, they help the
body help itself, and all the effects are positive.
How to order
We hope this information has been useful to you, and if you wish to trial
Optimum Omega , which has all the fatty acids mentioned, in each capsule,for
2 months to see if it helps your family, a quick freephone call to IDN
on
1 800 487 1500. will get you what you need.
They will ask for this
number NZR001766 and our names Tricia and Mike Legg, and your credit
card
details. They are available from 6.30am till midnight Monday to Friday
MST and 8 am till 9pm on Saturdays. If you have a fax,
fax them on 1
800 487 8000 24 hours a day.
You need to order:
Optimum Omega No 01003103 $14.25 and if you have an ADHD child
you need to add
Jungamals Life pak for children No 01003101 $15.75
Keep in touch, and let us know
if it is alright to share your positive results with others in the ezine
(a cute name for an internet magazine don't you think?) .
Warm regards
Tricia and Mike Legg
PS We welcome your contact and any discoveries you have made
that has helped your ADHD person.
November Ezine
Hi again, how have you been in the last month?
With Thanksgiving just around the corner we wish you and your family
a great holiday season.
An interesting thought before you get into the "heavy stuff".
Did you know Winston Churchill and Einstein were both ADHD sufferers?
Perhaps you have the next genius for the 21st century in your family!
This ezine, we have collected:
1.some information on Fatty Acids, from the
Hyperactive Children's Support Group (HCSG) in England
2.Other Nutrients beneficial with Fatty
Acids, from the HACGS Journal No.57
3. An article from Dr Chris Reading, an orthomolecular
psychiatrist and consultant in Australia, on other problems ADHD children
may have.
4. How to order the Fatty acids and Multi nutrients
in the USA, that are helping so many ADHD we know, and what they recommend.
5. Applying the Fatty acids topically…will it work?
Trust all the articles below give you insight into your
ADHD person, and help you find solutions.
1.children suffer from a deficiency of essential
fatty acids.
"The HCSG in England have collected a lot of
evidence that suggests that many hyperactive (hyper-kinetic, minimal brain
dysfunction) children suffer from a deficiency of essential fatty acids.
This may be due to a partial inability to from GLA or to a defect in absorption
of fatty acids. Interestingly the majority of such children also have asthma,
eczema or allergies.
In some, but not all children, the results obtained by rubbing the
oil into the skin seem to be much better than giving it in the mouth."
(No more fishy porridge Nancy!)
"A number of nutrients are known to be important in the proper use
of essential fatty acids by the body. They include magnesium, Vitamin B6,
vitamin B3 (niacin) vitamin E and Selenium. Two in particular, however
are zinc and vitamin C. Research in the last 3 years has shown that both
of these are essential for the formation of PGE1 from DGLA."
(at this point the article got very technical!)
2.A whole series of co-factors,
"A whole series of co-factors, including
magnesium, biotin, nicotinic acid, Vitamin B6, zinc and ascorbic acid are
required for the normal metabolism of Linoleic acid "(fatty acid).
"All these nutrients must be present in adequate amounts if essential
fatty acids are going to have their expected results. In the context of
EFAs and immune responses it is most likely that zinc, Vitamin C and B6
are of particular importance.
Zinc is an important trace element needed for enzyme activity. Symptoms
associated with Zinc deficiency include reduced taste sensation, lack of
appetite, and also white spots or bands on the fingernails.
Vitamin C deficiency leads to major suppression of normal immune function.
Vitamin C is very important in all areas of the body.
Vitamin B6 tends to raise serotonin levels. Deficiency can cause tension,
irritability, insomnia, and nervousness. All B Vitamins are important for
the nervous system.
Magnesium is a mineral that helps to utilise the vitamin B complex
and along with Vitamins C and E. It has a quieting effect o the nervous
system.
An integrated approach to good nutrition, with particular emphasis
on these, is likely to lead to optimal results from EFA supplementation."
From the HACGS Journal No 57.
3. the child with ADHD is usually very metabolically
disadvantaged
"Dr Chris Reading is a well-respected orthomolecular
psychiatrist and consultant in Australia. He says, " the child with ADHD
is usually very metabolically disadvantaged with low vitamins, amino acids,
minerals and a high level of toxic and heavy metals."
They may also have delayed reactions to food and chemical sensitivities
as shown on the cytotoxic test, and often immediate reactions to foods
and inhalant allergens."
"many have sever food and chemical sensitivities to cow's milk, gluten-containing
grains, legumes and beans- all of which can cause severe malabsorption
state and flat gut villi and thus low vitamins, minerals and amino acids.
In tests 500 samples of ADHD hair/urine/serum have shown low levels
of iron and zinc and high levels of aluminium and lead (UK 1994). Tartrazine
(102) and Sunset Yellow (110) colouring cause serum zinc to fall and urinary
zinc to increase in hyperactive children. In the normal control group,
results were different.
It is alarming that full investigative pathology is not routinely ordered
for ADHD. Instead we see the drug Ritalin increasingly prescribed as the
only resort. Ritalin suppresses some of the symptoms but does not rectify
basic dysfunctioning body chemistry, which is causing them. (Essential
Fatty Acids help)
Without investigative pathology there is a possibility that the child
who does not have ADHD will be given medication. When a child arrives at
teenage and puberty, symptoms may become more serious and depression may
arise. Investigation does appear to be the most sensible procedure.
As we see that ADHD is not the end of the diagnosis- it is the beginning.
The first step a worried parent can take is to arrange for a metabolic
profile on the child- whose very future could be at stake.
Dr Chris Reading B.Sc, Dip. Ag. Sci, MB, BS, FRANZCP"
(from the SOMA Newsletter Vol 19 No 3 January 1998.)
4. How to order the
Essential Fatty Acids and Nutrients your child needs.
You have the information form the last "ezine" and we have repeated
it here to save you looking. These are the products recommended by ADHD
people themselves, who have tried a variety of companies and concluded
these has the best ingredients for the best price,
,a quick freephone call to IDN on 1 800 487 1500. will get you what
you need.
They will ask for this number NZR001766 and our names Tricia and Mike
Legg, and your credit card details.
They are available from 6.30am till midnight Monday to Friday MST and
8 am till 9pm on Saturdays. If you have a fax, fax them on 1 800
487 8000 24 hours a day.
You need to order:
Optimum Omega No 01003103 $14.25 and if you have an ADHD child
you need to add
Jungamals Life pak for children No 01003101 $15.75
Both these products contain all the nutrients mentioned in the articles
.
5.applying the fatty acids (Optimum Omega)
to the skin
Did you notice that sentence from the English organisation
about applying the fatty acids (Optimum Omega) to the skin rather
than taking it orally. This was a surprise to us all, and so we looked
further and found:
It is suggested (for babies and toddlers especially those with
abnormal thirst or eczema)to initially pierce a capsule and include the
contents in food OR rub the oil into the soft parts of the body, eg the
abdomen, inside forearms, (Do not apply to broken or damaged skin). Gradually
increase the dosage until a response is noted and after a period of 3-6
months the amount can be lowered and topped up only when needed."
Hyper Express Newsletter no 97 May 1998.
That’s us for another month, we would love to add your stories of successes
with the products and how they work for your family.
Regards
Tricia and Mike Legg
December 1st ezine
Hi again to the December 1st edition of ADHD ezine.
Welcome to you if you have just joined the mailing list and we trust
you
find some of the enclosed information helpful to you and your family.
This time around we look at
1. Bills story.. an adult ADHD person who is finally
thriving and shares
his regime.
2. Dealing with ADHD
by Mark Domoto
contributed by ADHD
parent, JoAnne. Thank you JoAnne
3. How much is too much Ritalin? Can you help?
4. Learning disability children~ an
insight.
1.Bills story
Bill is 55 and an adult ADHD. We met him through his son Steve who is also
ADHD and now 31. All through Bill's schooling he found it difficult to
cope and up until two years ago was quite convinced that he was an academic
failure.
He owns a heavy machinery contracting business, digging irrigation systems,
and logging and he got very angry very fast with his customers.Because
of this his business was small and he spent many hours on the phone ranting
to his clients.
His son then told him about a nutrient that was helping him. Steve hadfound
essential fatty acids and convinced Bill to try them. Bill noticeda little
difference and took EFA's for several years from a popularcompany. At this
point Steve joined a company called IDN and he trialled the Essential Fatty
Acids that were part of the product line , comparing price, dosage, ingredients
and the effects on himself compared to theother company.
It was only a few days before Steve had convinced Bill to change to
the IDN products and that's when we got a phone call.Bill wanted to get
serious about telling the world about essential fatty acids and the IDN
product that has made such a difference in his life..Optimum
Omega. He had added the adults multi nutrient from the same product
range, called Lifepak
to his daily intake and was feeling better than he has in 54 years!
That was over a year ago, and Bill calls in with his wife Grace to seeus
regularly. He actually popped in last night so we thought it was an ideal
time to question him for you on what differences the Optimum Omega and
Lifepak had made to him.
"He's a completely different person", Grace jumped in first," not the
same man as he was, last year."
"How Bill?" we asked.
Bill rolled his eyes and said," Well first of all my brain is so clear.
I feel as if I can conquer the world and I can think straight. I feel as
if I can do anything and my days are really full. Take Friday" he continued,"
We were up at 6am, did what had to be done and then off to
fix the hydraulics on the new logger, and a day in the digger. Home
for dinner and helped Grace pack the blueberries until midnight"
Last week Bill read a 200 page non-fiction book for the first time in
his life and said,"Usually I read a few pages and go to sleep as the words
don't make sense. Now it all makes sense and I can read for 3 hours straight.
I'm feeling good about myself and I'll never, ever stop
taking that Optimum Omega and Lifepak. I am more rational, I don't
get angry any more and my business had doubled as I can be more reasonable
with my clients."
"So Bill, is there anything else you would recommend to help?
Definitely" he was quick to answer," Primrose Oil! I was told by my
health professional that I needed that as well."
"Do you know why you need that as well as the Optimum Omega? "
I had to know.
"I have no idea, " Bill answered,
" OK I'll ask the IDN company scientists. They are nutritional
graduates" I replied.
"Where do you buy the Primrose Oil, any brand, any special ingredients?"
Grace is obviously the shopper in the house as she answered, " Make
sure the Primrose Oil is pure, with no added ingredients, as you don't
need any of the extra in some brands, as they are already in Lifepak and
Optimum Omega. We both take 1 in the morning and 1 at night."
"So Grace, you take these too?"
" Absolutely", she said, "Lifepak, Optimum Omega and Primrose oil,
although I'm not ADHD, have solved a lot of my health problems.
So, that talk we had with Bill and Grace opened up some questions you
probably have if you are new to "ezine"
So we don't cover territory we have already covered, if you want to
know
more about:
Optimum Omega click
here:
Lifepak
click here:
And something we haven't talked about before...Primrose Oil
Click
here for more about it
And the question we had to ask the IDN scientists….
Why do you need
Optimum Omega's fatty acids and Primrose oil's fatty acids as well.
Their answer is,
"Thank you for sending in your question regarding the Optimum Omega.
I
hope to provide you with some helpful information regarding your
questions.
Evening Primrose oil is recognized as an excellent
source of both
gamma-linoleic acid as well as the essential linoleic acid. Fatty
acids
in the Optimum Omega all come from a Cod Liver Oil source. Cod Liver
Oil
does provide Omega-3 fatty acids, but is not a good source of
gamma-linoleic or essential linoleic acids.
Cod Liver Oil is a good source of EPA and DHA.
DHA is the
abbreviation for docosahexaenoic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid.
EPA
(eicosapentaenoic acid) is also an omega-3 fatty acid. DHA and
EPA
occur naturally in marine fish body oils. DHA and EPA provide
dietary
support for the cardiovascular and immune systems. The omega-3
fatty
acids EPA and DHA also provide an important natural counterbalance
to
the high dietary intakes of omega-6 fatty acids.
I hope this answers your questions. If you have any further
questions,
please reply.
Jason Wilson
IDN Product Support
If you wish to know more about why essential fatty acids supplements
are
so important for ADHD people email us and ask for the October "ezine"
where we covered in some detail how the lack of essential fatty acids
could be behind some of the ADHD behaviours.
And a final question if you have ADHD children rather than adults.
Is Lifepak suitable for children? Absolutely not! Children need
different nutrients for their stage of life and that is why we recommend
the children's equivalent, which is Jungamals
Lifepak for children.
Check it out on on the link above.
2 This is from the
Central Penn Parent Magazine, November 1998, p. 20.
HEALTH CLINIC
Dealing with ADHD by Mark Domoto
It's generally accepted that children with ADHD, attention
deficit
hyperactive disorder, lack the ability to focus attention on
"meaningful" stimuli, inhibit impulsiveness, and, in some cases, control
motor excess. These deficits have the potential to create dysfunction
or
inhibit optimal performance at home, at school and socially.
Children with ADHD also lack internal neurological
controls and may
require a great
deal of monitoring from parents and teachers to compensate for or help
them adapt to insufficiencies.
Diagnosing ADHD
When an accurate diagnosis is determined early in a
person's life,
it is easier to develop
effective external monitoring strategies which can prevent secondary
complications.
If the child is not diagnosed early and accurately,
there's a good
chance that parents and teachers will experience anxiety, frustration
and even anger with the child. The child himself may also feel anger
and
frustration and may develop poor self-esteem.
There is no formal test to diagnose ADHD, so the
accumulation of
information, observations and evaluations from parents, teachers,
physicians, mental-health professionals and the child is vital.
The following steps should be taken in diagnosing the condition.
Parent interview
The parent interview provides information pertaining
to the
pregnancy, labour and delivery of the child. Descriptions of infant
and
toddler temperament may reveal characteristics of poor neurological
organization and problematic social/behavioral functioning. Medical
history of the child and family may unmask or rule out an underlying
medical condition, which is associated with ADHD. Discussion with the
family also provides an understanding of dynamics within the home.
Educators interview
Information from school personnel may provide a "clean"
perspective
of the way a child functions, whereas parents may be emotionally
influenced in making observations.
The school setting will also provide a gauge by
which to judge the
child's behavior. The evaluator will want to know how the child deals
with the daily
routine and with work demands and how the child compares with his peers.
Once the child is evaluated, it may be determined
that he actually
has a learning disability which has displayed characteristics similar
to
ADHD.
Evaluation by a physician
Evaluation by a physician who is knowledgeable in children's
developmental and behavioral issues is needed. Since ADHD is a
neurological dysfunction, thorough assessment of the neurological system
is important. A clinical evaluation may identify
dysfunctions or inadequacies that influence performance. A cluster
of
findings on examination and information from both parent and school
personnel enables the physician to sort out the diagnosis of ADHD vs.
other conditions.
Treatment
Comprehensive treatment involves the same systems used
in the
evaluation process. Part of a child's treatment may mean parenting
and
teaching styles and performance evaluation should be adapted to assist
the child in compensating for weaknesses.
Assisting a child in understanding his strengths
and weaknesses
through discussion of specific situations allows the child to organize
and evaluate his performance. This involves the child in problem solving
and gives him a feeling of control and the potential of developing
self-confidence.
Selective use of medication therapy is another avenue
of treatment.
Expectations, limitations and potential side effects of the specific
medication should be presented. The understanding that medication use
is
not a cure-all is vital.
Parents and teachers need to convey a unified message
to the child
that they understand his difficulties and that support and assistance
is
available. They also need to make clear that a commitment is expected
from the child.
Communication, cooperation and compromise from the treatment team will
help nurture this goal.
Mark Domoto, M.Ed., is a clinical developmental
specialist with Penn State Geisinger Health System,
Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA.
3. Can you help jamey?
jamey@fairfieldi.com
I have a 13 year old with ADHD. She was just put on wellbutrin,
I'm a
little leary about this medication. She is taking 150 mg twice/day
+ 45
mg of Ritalin/day. Is this normal
medication?
4. I can't
do anything right!
I'm no good!
I'm a retard!
Nobody likes me!
Everybody's picking on me!!!
These are some of the feelings that children with a Learning Disability
(LD) shoulder as they
grow up. They don't understand or else misunderstood any aspects of
their lives, and receive correction or criticism which they translate
into 'everyones picking on me'. It probably reflects their very real
view of the situation because they don't interpret the correction or
criticism as being helpful. Often, they see their world as a series
of
mistakes, one after another, all totalling personal disaster. It's
hard
to grow up feeling good about themselves under these conditions.
Children with a LD can have special skills and can feel good about
their
success in sports, their artistic talent, their popularity with a group,
but deep down inside them there is still that gnawing feeling of "Whats
really wrong with me?' This is why straight talk is so important. It
is
vital that .they hear over and over again from different sources that
they am intelligent, that they need more time to learn than others
but
that they will make it in the world.
They need as much information about themselves as theycan handle and
need it frequently. They may still feel dumb. But at least they know
they are not retarded and do not have any progressive brain disease
or
whatever else they may secretly dread. In many ways, life seems very
unfair to them
They perceive the world in the only way they can and meet rebuff or
ridicule as a result of what they say or do, based on that perception
These youngsters are often brought into child guidance clinics because
someone thinks they are angry, wilful, motivated or spoiled who are
purposely not performing well at school. These frightened children
cannot, rather than will not, perform well at school.
They are angry at the world's demands on them - demands they cannot
meet. They are angry at themselves for not being able to do what they
want to do. They are angry at parents, teachers, brothers, sisters,
neighbours and classmates for seeing them in the act of not being able
to do They are angry at being the way they are.
The delayed maturation keeps these children from growing up acquiring
the skills, which are needed for independence. They become teenagers
by
the number of years; they may have the physical size and puberty
development of a teenager, but the neural development and behaviour
are
like those of a much younger child. Yet the world expects their
behaviour to be appropriate for their size.
WHAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT?
In the end, what counts are human qualities.
A person's feeling of
comfort with themself and thus case with others are what matters. How
many adults do you know whose knowledge of spelling or maths makes
any
difference to you? Does it matter how good your friend's handwriting
is
or how many historical facts s/he can remember? The chances are that
you
want to be with a person who is fun and caring. You want a friend who
laughs with you, not at you, who can share your worries with as well
as
your pleasures. You want someone you can count on and who comes through
on promises.
To be a good friend, to be a fine mate, to become a good parent - these
are crucial roles in our society and roles which children with Learning
Disabilities can well fulfill
From the ADHD Association of New Zealand, Hyper Express,No 95
Dec 1997
That's us for another couple of weeks.
Hope the "ezine" has been helpful to you, and remember we
would love to
hear from you on your successes
with your ADHD people.
Kind regards
Tricia and Mike Legg
