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Welcome
to the Christmas '98 ADHD ezine.
Tthis "ezine" is a long one! We look at Nutrition
for ADHD people, possible deficiencies, proper diagnosis and supplements
that may help.
We sincerely hope it helps you and your family
in some way.
Click on the links below to get to the topic you wish to read about
"In my opinion, the ADD brain structure is not truly an abnormality.
In fact, I believe a very good case can be made that it is not only normal,
though in the minority, but may well be a superior brain structure.
However, the talent of the person with the ADD brain structure are
not those rewarded by our society at its current stage of development.
'
In other words, the problems of the, person with ADD are caused as
much by the way we have our society, educational system amd business methods
organised as by other factors more directly related to the ADD itself.
I fullyrealise that these are not concepts generally shared by most
other professionals. 1 have not always felt about ADD as 1 now do, but
twenty years of experience treating ADD in all ages under a variety of
conditions have lead me to my current beliefs.
A superior brain structure?
A review of some of the things we know about the ADD brain structure and
performance will demonstrate this possibility.
The average IQ. of the person with ADD is higher than that of the average
person in society. This is not to imply that all persons with ADD are more
intelligent, but simply that the average l.Q is greater.
The person with ADD has a greater ability to think creatively.
This refers not only to creativity in the fine arts sense, though a person
may have such a musical or painting talent, but to the ability to problem
solve, create, or invent.
The person with the ADD brain structure has an increased sensory awareness. This stems not only from a heightened sensitivity of the senses,but also from the increased intrusion of those sensations into the conscious awareness of the person. I n other words, the person sees, feels, hears, tastes and smells more, and these sensations are more likely todistract the person. Finally,the higher one goes on the 1Q. scale, the greater the percentage of ADD one finds.
I encourage patients and their parents or families to view brain
function in several unorthodox ways, not because that is the true way brains
work, but because they effectively illustrate what we observe about brain
function.
One is the Channel Method. There are two possible channels of functon
in the brain: Channel A and Channel B.
Everyone in the word is born with Channel A in his or her brain. This is the average channel and the only one which the majority of people have, those with the average brain structure.
About one-third of the population also has a Channel B in the brain
and we refer to these individuals as having ADD. The people with ADD use
Channel B because, it is the only channel they can get to work very well.
They have the 'wiring" for Channel A, but they cannot get it to work very
well for themselves for very long.
Thought processing in the Channel A mode is very linear, or non- dimensional,
and driven by time, priorities,tasks and a desire for completion. It is
though the person were on a rail
going all the way to the end, finishing the task, turning around coming
back down the rail, finishing the task and so on, back and forth
in an orderly fashion.
Thought processing in the Channel B is very three-dimensional.
It is not only fore and aft, but up, down, side to side, and diagonally,
broadly ranging from,horizon to horizon, and the floor to the stratosphere".
From an IQ of about 160 and above virtually everyone is ADD. Now, if
that is "brain damage" as was previously felt, we should all be so damaged!
Certainly it is not brain damage, and the sooner we acknowledge this,
the sooner we will be able to take a more appropriate approach to ADD."
SCIENTISTS HAVE TOLD us that PROPER NUTRITION is the key to PROPER FUNCTIONS of the brain and body. Yet today, with our fast paced microwaveable-instant world, nutrition can be shockingly absent in the diet. The effects of mild to moderate nutritional deficiencies in children AND adults are documented to result in the indication of moderate to severe attention, emotional, and behavioural abnormalities.
UNFORTUNATELY, the broad clinical presentation of these nutritional deficiency symptoms are very time consuming for a health professional to identify, and are commonly OVERLOOKED during evaluations. Many times this leads to the administration of drugs and various chemical therapies for behaviour modification that can ‘mask’ the underlying cause...nutritional deficiency symptoms.
WORSE YET, the side effects of chronic or long term use of drugs in
children can have profound growth and psychologically damaging effects.
For example, the 1997
Physicians Desk Reference states that side effects of the increasingly
popular Ritalin therapy administered as a chemical treatment for ADHD are
as follows: Nervousness, insomnia, hypersensitivity, anorexia, nausea,
dizziness, heart arrhythmia's, headache, dyskinesia, hair loss, to name
a few.
 |
AS A RESULT of the potential side effects of drug therapy, many parents and medical physicians today are seeking a more conservative approach to the subject of ADD and ADHD. Through dietary modification and nutritional supplementation, TREMENDOUS decreases in the symptoms associated with ADD and ADHD have been observed. In the majority of cases, a substantial decrease in hyperactive behaviour is noted and in some cases it has been TOTALLY eliminated by modification and nutritional supplementation alone! |
THE BRAIN can be a child's most underfed organ! Speech, reading, and all learning processes from sports to academics are dependent on normal brain function. There are an estimated 10 billion plus neuronal cells in the human brain that have a continuos appetite for fuel, oxygen, vitamins, minerals, coenzymes, amino acids and fatty acids which must be satisfied every second of every day for proper and normal neurological functions to occur. The brain cannot store or ‘borrow’ these from other parts of the body, it must be produced locally, by the billions of neurones that use the energy.
SEVENTY PERCENT of American children consume less than two thirds the RDA standards. Proper and adequate nutrition is necessary to generate neurotransmitters which allow brain cells to ‘communicate’ with each other. Scientists have confirmed that inadequate levels of these chemical ‘messengers’ can deplete normal mental and cognitive functions. For example, a deficiency of specific amino acids and nutrients like vitamins B3, B6, Copper, Iron and vitamin C have been shown to result in:
| * attention deficit disorders
* hyperactivity * difficulty in concentrating * learning disorders * depression * mood swings *un-coordination * lethargy |
 |
INSURING THE PRESENCE of all nutritional factors in a child's daily diet by nutritional supplementation has medically been shown to literally increase intelligence in children and adults. This combined with good dietary choices and regular exercise is fundamental to achieve an optimum level of good health with tremendous long-term benefits.
Current methods of treating these disorders include the use of prescription drugs. One of the biggest concerns at this time is getting their child off traditional treatments and on to something natural. As with any other changes in treatments, we recommend that you consult with your physician, and that he or she does have a background in nutrition.
Scientists and Doctors have shown us that proper nutrition is
the key to proper functions of the brain and body. All learning processes
are dependent upon normal brain functions. The brain cannot
store these nutrients, they are needed every second of the day. Mild
to moderate deficiencies in nutrition can lead to severe attention, emotional
and behavioural abnormalities.
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Food Allergies/ Sensitivities
Carbohydrate Sensitivity Essential Fatty Acid Imbalances dealt with in October ezine~ click here Protein/Amino Acid Deficiencies dealt with in this Christmas issue Vitamin and Mineral Deficienciesdealt with in November ezine~click here Free Radical Damage Sensitivity to Sugars or Caffeine Sensitivity to Food Additives Exposure to Environmental Toxins |
 |
"In children
and adults suffering from ADHD, we have found
profound
nutrient deficiencies and biochemical abnormalities.
The science
is now available to explore these unique metabolic
profiles
and begin to understand our individualized
biochemical
fingerprints. Treating the underlying biochemistry
addresses
the core of the problem. I believe this is preferable
to only
providing temporary relief of symptoms through
medication."
 |
We have spend many hours researching this one for you as it was mentioned
in October to us, and then again in the article by Dr Greenblatt, and in
the October ezine by Dr Chris Reading, and we know of some ADHD people
who need to eat massive amounts of protein to help them control gain control.
The more we researched the more we found the same thing, and we have become quite excited about it all. There seems to be two amino acids that are often repeated as being essential. Are you ready for the technical stuff!!! |
Methionine.
Another amino acid that helps to "clean' the brain of toxins, methionine acts as a powerful antioxidant, and helps prevent the accumulation of heavy metals in the brain, such as mercury or cadmium.
Arginine
This amino acid is partly converted in the body to a chemical called spermine, which helps the brain to process memories. Low levels of spermine are sometimes a biological indicator of age-associated memory impairment. Arginine is also an effective stimulator of the metabolism, and is used by some people as part of a weight-loss formula.
Tryptophan
. As mentioned previously, tryptophan is easily available in supplement
form, but can be ingested in foodstuffs (especially by eating high-carbohydrate
foods). It is the major nu-tritional precursor of serotonin, the primary
"feel good' neureo transmitter. If you frequently feel agitated, or have
insomnia, this may be caused by a deficit serotonin
 |
We have found a source of the Phenylaianine and Glutamine in a supplement called "Amino build", believe it or not originally designed for sports people, but it has these amino acids in it that ADHD people may be lacking, and it is a very pleasant drink, in chocolate or vanilla! |
| ADHD ezine backcopies | ADHD forum to find support | links to ADHD sites |
|
email us |
