Beat and Treat ADD and ADHD without Drugs

by Tony Isaacs, Natural News

ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and ADHD (Attention Hyperactivity Deficit Disorder) are similar conditions. ADD is now often known as ADD/WO, meaning "attention deficit without hyperactivity"). Fortunately, such conditions may be prevented or improved with diet and supplementation instead of risky mainstream drugs.

Though ADD and ADHD may in part be syndromes created to describe age-old problems and publicized in order to sell drugs, it is also likely that modern living conditions are resulting in an increase in childhood and adult behavior and attention problems.

The suspected culprits for increased behavior and attention problems are multiple: excessive sugar and high fructose corn syrup, lack of vital nutrients, increased environmental toxins, increased vaccinations, food additives such as MSG, GMO crops, and exposure to microwaves and other electro magnetic radiation. In addition, lack of proper nurturing and parenting likely plays a big role as well.

One must remember that the brain is a vital organ just like the heart, lungs, liver, etc., and it needs optimum nutrition to function properly. Sadly, today's SAD diet of fast foods, snacks & junk foods, microwavable meals and processed foods on the grocers' shelves has left most of our kids, and us, woefully deficient in a great many nutrients the body was designed to utilize. Sometimes the consequences manifest themselves early on, and other times it is down the road a ways. But you can bet that there will be consequences if not addressed and corrected.

The first thing to do is to cut one's consumption of sugar to a minimum. Excessive refined sugar has been linked heavily to ADD, ADHD, bipolar, depression and other mental disorders. Also avoid alcohol, caffeine, and refined foods.

Eat good sources of lean protein, such as cold water fish, including salmon, herring, and mackerel and free range organic chicken and turkey. Include plentiful Omega 3s.

Though low-carb and no-carb foods and diets have been popular in recent years, carbohydrates are an essential energy source for the body and mind. The key is to insure that you are receiving the right kinds of carbohydrates. Unhealthy carbohydrates result in too much sugar which causes the problems we are trying to prevent. Healthy carbohydrates can be found in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Examples are: apples, oranges, peaches, grapefruit, carrots, Brussels sprouts, beans, and whole wheat bread.

Supplement with magnesium (a 1-2 ratio with calcium) if you are unsure that you are getting enough of this vital mineral. Various studies have indicated that anywhere from 80 to 95% of us are deficient in magnesium and symptoms include mental disorders, light or restless sleep, daytime sleepiness, and inability to concentrate.

Some other suggested supplements:
  • GABA (Gamma-amino-butyric acid) - calms the body
  • Pycnogenol and/or Grapeseed Extract - powerful antioxidants offering cellular protection for the body and brain
  • Quercetin - prevents allergies from aggravating symptoms
  • SAMe (S-Adenosylmethionine) - aids in relieving stress and pain (Note: do not use in the event of manic-depressive disorder or if on prescription antidepressants)
  • Gingko - enhances blood supply to the brain and improves nerve cell function
  • Colloidal gold - can improve mood and focus
  • Valerian root extract - has been used for ADD with dramatic results and no side effects
Lastly, consider a good all around whole food vitamin, mineral and other essential nutrient product. Some of the many benefits of getting regular optimum amounts of essential vitamins, minerals and other nutrients include:
  • Neuro-cognitive brain function
  • Focus and concentration
  • Mood regulation
  • Short and long term memory
  • Sleep and wake cycle
  • Sugar control
  • Brain growth and development

Source: www.naturalnews.com
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Previous Comments

Karen McElroy commented on 21-Jul-2010 08:49 PM5 out of 5 stars
whole grains for many kids with ADD/ASD are a disaster. Most of these cases have a sensitivity to gluten and casein which wasn't mentioned in the article. Getting off the foods is a basic dietary change to make.
Karen McElroy commented on 21-Jul-2010 08:51 PM3 out of 5 stars
I meant to rate it a 3 star.
Also didn't like the comment that
"lack of proper nurturing and parenting likely plays a big role as well." Whilst this may be true in some cases, parents of ADD/ASD kids are just as loving and dedicated as other parents. It is a medical disorder not a parenting disorder.
Karen McElroy commented on 21-Jul-2010 08:54 PM3 out of 5 stars
The comment "lack of proper nurturing and parenting likely plays a big role as well" is not necessarily accurate. ASD/ADD are medical disorders, not parenting disorders. These parents are just as dedicated and loving as other parents.
Karin commented on 21-Jul-2010 09:13 PM3 out of 5 stars
I have to agree with Karen. These kids often need to go off gluten and casein as well as all food additives, sugar, white flours and hydrogenated fats. Meat and fish if eaten need to be organic as well as the rest of the food (will considerably limit toxicity from pesticides, medication, hormones etc.). They often suffer from a condition refered to as gut dysbiosis in which the gut flora is imbalance, thus creating a leaky gut syndrome and under those circumstances food supplements other than probiotics (in the first instance) are not very useful because they will not be absorbed. So first: clean their diet, heal the gut and than see what nutrients are really lacking. Parents of those kids are not any worse than others! If you've never spent a day and a night with an ADHD kid, than you won't understand how they can "get at you" and get "the worst out of you". This is not because they are bad, this is because a chemical imbalance is running their physiology. These parents are usually very dedicated and if only they understood what's wrong, they would take the necessary measures.
Diann commented on 21-Jul-2010 10:06 PM5 out of 5 stars
The Feingold program is the first course of action anyone should take when trying to correct and improve ADHD and many other health issues. This article didn't mention the role of artificial dyes and flavors in food! You can't expect to see much improvement if you only go half way with change.
Anonymous commented on 21-Jul-2010 10:58 PM3 out of 5 stars
Good info, but the comment about parenting is definitely not needed. I would like to pass this along, but with that line about "lack of proper nurturing and parenting likely plays a big role as well" it may not be received well, especially for a parent that this is new to. That was not needed in an article about diet and supplementation. I agree SOMETIMES parents play a role, however the comment in the article is that it plays a BIG role, which generalizes and judges parents with these children. Leave out your judgmental undertones next time.
Tina commented on 21-Jul-2010 11:06 PM5 out of 5 stars
Congratulations Diann for pointing out the Feingold program! Not many people seem to know about it anymore! My family is one that deals with ADHD (otherwise known as minimal brain disfunction back in the 70-early 80's)and it is a VERY good place to start! As for the parenting comments made here...demanding some cognitive behaviour training and counselling gives not only the parent but the child the tools needed to change the behaviours.Supporting the child and the parent is critical to both of their success!The two directions together make for some wonderful experiences for the family in life!
Jennifer Simpson commented on 21-Jul-2010 11:36 PM5 out of 5 stars
I would agree that the parenting comment was completely irrelevant to this article. I would add that in addition to elimination of gluten, casein, refined sugars/ simple carbs, hydrogenated fats,exposure to pesticides, alcohol and caffeine, etc... (Karin had it right!) one should also consider the benefits of chiropractic adjustments.

Here is a link to a good article... not mine, but accurate.
http://www.acatoday.org/content_css.cfm?CID=60

I work in a chiropractic wellness office and have personally seen terrific results with children affected by add/ adhd, autism, and many more disorders. It's worth checking out.
bhealthy commented on 22-Jul-2010 12:35 AM4 out of 5 stars
Although in some cases, this may be true, parenting has no place in an article such as this via Food Matters.
Elizabeth Schoeberlein, LCSW commented on 22-Jul-2010 02:20 AM5 out of 5 stars
Good information. Anyone parenting a child or dhildren on the Autism spectrum, which ADD is, have a big challenge for parenting. These kids have very difficult moments. There are many parents who cannot hanlde this well and all parents have their moments. It is my belief, based on much experience, that vaccinations are the culprit for most childhood disorders. The cost of this to parents, children and society is enormous. We need more non-pharmaceutical studies to prove it so that this no longer happens and those who have been injured can get proper compensation. Loading up babies with toxic vaccinations has to stop.
Michelle Proud mom of an Adhd child commented on 28-Jul-2010 01:27 PM1 out of 5 stars
I would venture to guess that Tony (author) does not have a child with Add or Adhd. The article was pretty interesting up until I read the part about parenting being an issue. Tony, let me explain to you what a child with ADHD goes through. Their thought process does not function the way a normal brained person does. They have a misconception of "time". They get very overwhelmed with tasks. Almost to the point where nothing gets done. They have a tendency to be in a "depressed" state most of the time. They don't do well in social situations because they usually don't understand how to communicate with other people. Mood swings are inevitable. This is not a "Parenting" disorder, this is a "Neurological" disorder. And if you don't know that, you have no buisness writing an article about it. As a parent of an Adhd child, I am offended at that comment. I know for a fact that I am more involved in my childs life than a lot of parents around me. There are not many parents that are more involved in their childs schooling success than I am. I have meetings with teachers, principles, counselors, psychologists, several times a year. We see doctors, therapists and I like a lot of people spend their "free" time researching even more about this "disease" so that I can give my child what he needs to be successful and happy and loving and grow into a wonderful adulthood. So, please take your "parenting" comments somewhere else!
Anonymous commented on 28-Jul-2010 10:04 PM5 out of 5 stars
Tony, very good article thank you for speaking out and stating; "lack of proper…parenting likely plays a big role as well." I was reading several comments and this did not sit well with many. I think they have missed your point. Too many, many, many, children are diagnosed with ADD & ADHD in society because they DO have parents who lack parenting skills and/or lack of one parents there are far fewer Real cases of ADD & ADHD then people think. The family dynamics have been tainted; we have too many single parents; too many people who are not accountable for their actions; and then these parents complain about their child’s behavior and then the doctor prescribes the “Magic Pill”. When their child is actually screaming out by their actions that: “I need attention, I’m going to get in one way or another” “I have not boned with mom or dad” “I am left to myself” “I have no structure” “I do not feel safe” just a few examples. Doctors will never say it like it is because they make more money keeping a child “Labeled” as does the local school these children attend and last the drug lords (a.k.a. drug manufactures) by keeping their hands in our pockets while they make Billions of dollars off of our innocent children giving them Psychostimulant, mind altering drugs this is wrong and society needs to stop harming our children by allowing these drugs to be prescribed. Doctors rarely mention diet, nutrition, environmental factors, and immunizations as part of the cause(s) of ADD & ADHD, if they did we would not have 1 out of every 2 children on these mind altering drugs (that’s how many in my neighborhood are on these drugs). I am sadden how society accepts this scam.
Anonymous commented on 29-Jul-2010 03:49 AM5 out of 5 stars
As a parent of 3 grown sons, I want to weigh in on the controversy of the "parenting" statement in the article. Having raise 1 very challenging ADHD child with other complicating issues successfully - he is a happy, healthy, productive member of society, I feel I can provide some perspective. I have had many well-meaning commentaries insinuate that my parenting skills (or lack thereof) were a contributing factor to the challenges this child presented - usually by those that did not know there were 2 other children resulting from those same parenting skills that were "award winning" by societal standards. Everyone is welcome to their opinion, YET, it is more difficult to parent while dealing with unnecessary guilt. A parent of a less than "normal" child carries enough of that anyway. For those VERY few that do not have the proper skills, using guilt and shame is not the answer. That drives these behaviors underground thus making it harder to recognize and then demonstrate a more effective method.

Let's stick with nutritional facts and avoid shame & blame habits.

With that said - GREAT info! Thanks for putting it out here. I'm sure many will have ways to tweak this foundational information. This is a great springboard for those new to the concept of nutritionally treating this ailment.
Anonymous commented on 29-Jul-2010 05:24 PM5 out of 5 stars
Yes, anonymous, I have one child who was quite "perfect" and strangers would smile and comment what a good parent I was. My other child is hyper and strong willed, and I would get disapproving looks, like "why can't you handle your child". Same parent, different children.
David N. commented on 18-Aug-2010 08:25 PM5 out of 5 stars
In everything I am surprised that not one person mentioned exercise. When you read through all the research about CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) protocols for ADD/ADHD management we find that exercise goes hand-in-hand with diet. Please consider the work of Dr. John Ratey (Harvard M.D.) and his seminal work 'Spark.' Dr. Ratey chronicles his research into the link between exercise and the mind-body connection. He presents startling research to prove that exercise is truly one of our best defenses against everything from depression to ADD. A must read for any parent with a child with ADD/ADHD. When you take diet and complement it with exercise you embark upon a journey towards a powerful cure! I am 38 years old, a doctor, and I had ADD :)
Anonymous commented on 04-Jun-2011 06:45 AM3 out of 5 stars
Jeez everyone calm down about the parenting thing! Ive add and after lots of talking etc and alalyzing my family situation i truely feel that the main reason ive add. Obviously its a chemical imbalance etc but my parents are good people just didnt really
know how to parent. I dont blame them but indo see that as the biggest factor for my add. Obviously also its not like that with everyone, and p arenting may not have effected some peoples add but it is definitely an influentail factor sometimes!!!
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