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drug testing and ritilin for ADD ADHD?

  • Posted on April 4, 2011 at 1:20 pm

if my daughter takes adderall xr and ritilin for her adhd and accidentally spits it out in my drink and i drink it can i test positive for meth? i handle these drugs with her everyday. and i myself do not do any drugs. can i test positive on my tests for work?

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Daughter, ADHD + Addict, Driving Us Nuts?

  • Posted on August 25, 2010 at 5:22 pm

daughter is 42 and has been on and off crack cocaine for 2 years. Xanax b4 that. Two months ago she left a close male friend and her ten year old son, “D”, at the circus after saying she was going to the restroom. We had to drive 550 miles to pick him up and she wasn’t there. D was with the male friend. Before third grade, she was on crack and
her bf’s relatives brought her son to our town where we kept him for 9 months. For second grade, her sister kept him. I’m losing track. Her father told me she drank all his vodka when visiting. I hate to say it, but she is living for the third time with a 79 yr old rich guy (he kicked her out twice and called the cops) just for his money. I know she has never wanted to work, even to support her son. I can’t say all that has happened but she LECTURES ME on “forgiveness” while Never saying she wants her son back. She doesn’t want to raise him and takes it for granted we will in our sixties. She is driving around in a Mercedes convertible with bleached out hair suggesting that I READ BOOKS ON HOW TO LIVE. Would YOU simply forgive this girl? She claims the boy as a dependent but we did ,too, so I don’t know what will happen there. Her son keeps going back to her, thinking she’s ok now, then she turns to drugs again. Even if she’s not on them, she gets very depressed and sleeps/cries a lot. This anger and resentment hurts me. My husband, not her real father, wants to move away from here to avoid contact w/her. Should we move? I get SO DOWN hearing her voice, hearing her “suggestions” on how I SHOULD CHANGE and we are drug/alcohol/tobacco free around here and love D so much. He wants to see her for brief periods of time; it stresses us out ’cause we know it stresses D out.

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Question about ADD/ ADHD?

  • Posted on August 1, 2010 at 9:22 pm

Is there a test that can detect ADD or ADHD? Or do doctors simply diagnose by behavior? Also, can anyone refer me to a website or book that explains red and other artificial dyes that affect behavior in children? My daughter sometimes is uncontrollable and I am against the meds they prescribe for ADD and ADHD due to the fact that I have had a drug problem before (4 years sober now). I know that Aderall is an amphetamine and I really have a problem with that and would like to try adjusting her diet first. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks
add: she has been tested with an IQ of around 140, so she is very smart, in the talented and gifted program at school and does very well in school as far as work goes. The problem, more or less, is her behavior if she is NOT doing some kind of school-related work. She just has a very short attention span and has trouble following directions, etc. I still have to keep a hawk’s eye on her constantly. For example: I have to remind her every time we get out of the car not to walk into the road. It’s like she doesn’t remember that cars are around or maybe she is just in lala land. I dont know, but at times I have a very hard time dealing with this and dont know what to do. Like I said before, I am against the meds and would like some other avenue to try and help her. She is so smart and creative and I try to keep her busy. I just dont know what to do sometimes.

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Understanding The Gifts Of Add And Adhd

  • Posted on January 5, 2010 at 10:20 am

“I just finished reading this book and I have decided that I am ADD.”

“I saw a TV show about ADHD. I have it and so does my son.”

“My daughter’s teacher says she asks too many questions. Do you think she’s hyperactive?”

Over the past ten years, we’ve all heard announcements like these from friends, family and even strangers.

As a spiritual coach and counselor, I deal with questions about ADD and ADHD every day. My insights may be helpful to you, too.

ADD AND ADHD IN ADULTS

Recently, a client started our counseling session by declaring that he’s ADD. His wife was quick to agree. That’s what brought them to my doorstep. They needed help with their marriage.

Often, the first step to repair a marriage begins with personal spiritual growth. Until the individual understands him- or herself, it’s difficult to build trust and understanding in any relationship.

In this case, I did an energetic scan of my client. Some medical intuitives, including me, use this process to identify areas that need work. We “see” physical, emotional and energetic distress.

Next, I described to my client what I saw in the scan. I explained it in the context of ADD. Like many people who are confused by ADD and ADHD, he was relieved to find someone who understood what was going on.

After that, I recommended that they read more about the subject. Between their studies and a few counseling session, the client and his wife were able to understand each other better. According to them, it began a renaissance within their marriage.

For many adults, that’s all it takes. With a little education and some counseling, they learn how to live with ADD and ADHD.

ADD AND ADHD IN CHILDREN

Most people are diagnosed with ADD or ADHD as children. Through them, we can more about the many faces of Attention Deficit Disorder, with or without obvious hyperactivity.

Years ago, one of my most important breakthroughs was with a 12-year-old client. His first statement to me was startling.

With a look of anguish, he blurted, “It hurts to be a human when I think of and see all that we have done to this planet. But, I know I am here to make it better.”

Scanning his energy, I could sense the pain that he was in. To me, it was as if he had been born without skin. He could feel everything around him. He had no personal boundaries.

That session helped him, but it helped me even more. I learned, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that ADD and ADHD aren’t disabilities. They’re gifts.

Those gifts need to be managed and nurtured, but they’re still gifts. They may even point the way that our species is evolving.

If we medicate those gifts to minimize them, we risk losing those gifts altogether.

ADD, ADHD, UNDERSTANDING AND “THE BOX”

During the following months, my practice attracted many clients with Attention Deficit Disorder and forms of hyperactivity. I was one of the few who understood them as gifts, not diseases.

My staff and I used to joke that I’d become an “ADD magnet.” But, those months were a tremendous educational experience.

Some of my clients already knew about ADD and ADHD. They’d already been diagnosed. They knew the terminology and the popular medical solutions. Some even chose the ADD label because, finally, it defined who they were.

Those clients can be the most difficult to work with. The ADD “box” acts as a protection and a defense. To help them, we must convince them to step outside that box.

For someone who has lived without boundaries, that’s a very scary step. The box is the safe place to be. Convincing them to step outside can be challenging.

HOW TO HELP

The following basics can help anyone who is dealing with ADD and ADHD in children and adults.

* ADD and ADHD are gifts.

* The ADD and ADHD labels are over-used. They may mask other conditions that need to be examined.

* In addition, ADD and ADHD can be masked by other, more obvious conditions. Medication can make it even more difficult to identify attention, activity and boundary issues.

* Attention Deficit Disorder, with or without hyperactivity, affect four levels: Physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. Each level must be addressed separately.

* In most cases, ADD and ADHD need to be managed, not drugged.

* In almost all cases, these people also have heightened perceptions of — and sensitivities to — spirituality. That spirituality can provide a bridge to help them, as well as support during episodes of extreme activity and/or vulnerability.

Because these and other conditions can be “layered,” diagnosis and treatment can be difficult with some clients. However, this also makes the work constantly engaging, challenging and intriguing.

THE FIRST STEP

In most cases, the first major issue is the client’s feeling of isolation. To resolve that, clients may have developed inappropriate behaviors. For example, they may be accustomed to creating emergencies and drama to attract attention and support.

Until the sense of isolation is addressed, those behaviors can slow treatment. Once the client feels a stronger connection to those close to him or her, the process becomes much easier. In addition, a client’s lifestyle needs to be reviewed. This includes diet and attitudes. Protocols must be created and understood by everyone who is connected to the client.

ADD AND ADHD AREN’T DISABILITIES

Attention Deficit Disorder is not a disability, it is a “diffability.” The person’s abilities are not “less than” or impaired, just different.

Each person is brilliant in some way. Often, this brilliance simply needs to be discovered, acknowledged and unlocked.

ADD and ADHD are gifts. They may represent an expansion of our awareness beyond the 10% that the brain traditionally utilizes. Let’s not try to medicate and subdue this exciting evolutionary step.

Recently, a client said to me, “I am not dumb you know, even if they all say I am.”

That’s a common misunderstanding when dealing with people — especially children — who have the gift of ADD.

They’re not “dumb” or stupid. In fact, they’re so smart in such different ways, we don’t always realize that what they have is an asset.

THE FUTURE OF ADD AND ADHD

Working together, we can become smart enough to understand those with ADD and ADHD.

For now, let’s help these gifted people deal with isolation, fear, anxiety, depression and more.

We can help each other. In this process, we may find ways to utilize even more intelligence, to help the evolutionary process. Our world could benefit greatly.

You can help people who have ADD and ADHD.

The best way to start is by letting them know that they’re not alone.

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Ritalin: Still a Viable Option for ADHD

  • Posted on January 5, 2010 at 4:22 am

Although there are many newer medicines available for ADHD, Ritalin is still prescribed regularly, and it often gets a lot of media attention.

As a parent — or an adult — with attention deficit disorder you’re doing the smart thing by researching the medication you’re taking for your condition. I’m a firm believer that knowledge is power. And the more you understand the mechanisms by which Ritalin and other medications work, then in the long run, you’re far more likely to control your ADD/ADHD than have it control you.

It seems ironic, doesn’t it? That many individuals with ADD/ADHD whose symptoms include hyperactivity would be given medication classed as a stimulant to help calm them. Ritalin is just one class of stimulant drug providing relief for you and hundreds of thousands of others.

Ritalin is also known by its chemical name of methylphenidate. Ritalin is the trade or brand name under which it’s sold. With only a four hour duration, you’ll discover that the individual with ADD/ADHD will need to take this prescription drug in the morning, at noontime as well as a dose at roughly 4 p.m.

These three separate doses provide you with coverage for a 12-hour period. That’s a good portion of a functioning day in anyone’s book. And it gives the individual just about the maximum coverage for the day.

While Ritalin may be short acting, your personal care physician may want to eventually combine it with another drug to help extend its effectiveness. He may prescribe Ritalin as well as a longer-acting methylphenidate preparation. Perhaps he believes your Ritalin isn’t working as effectively as it should.

He may request that you also try using Concerta in the morning with your Ritalin. Your dosage may look something like this then. In the morning, you take Ritalin and a specific dose of Concerta. This dosage is created solely for your specific situation. He may also ask that you take this second form of stimulant at the second dosage.

Many individuals have a medication schedule that include both Ritalin and Concerta in the morning and the afternoon (or at either time period) to help length the effects of this medication. Usually then they take Ritalin only in the evening.

Difference Between Ritalin And Ritalin SR

There is another, second variety of Rialin available as well. It’s called Ritalin SR. the SR stands for slow release. It’s the same formula as the original, except in the slow release form, the medication is placed in a waxy substance to allow it to release in a steadier, more gradual rate.

This medication isn’t side effect free however. While your son or daughter is taking it you may notice some these more common adverse side effects. Among the most common of these are insomnia and decreased appetite. And do let your physician know if you or your child is experiencing either of these. The two common effects can easily be managed through the careful timing and dosing of the medication itself.

Some individuals get a skin rash, fever, headaches, anorexia nervosa, drowsiness, nausea, abdominal pain and dizziness. If you experience any of these conditions while you’re using Ritalin, be sure to notify your health care professional

Ritalin was the first prescription to be given for the treatment of ADD/ADHD and it was first used in 1958. To this day it’s still the medication most widely associated with the disorder.

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Changes in Diets for Children With Adhd Can Help

  • Posted on January 4, 2010 at 9:20 pm

If you want to help your child decrease some of those ADHD symptoms, you will need to experiment with what you’re feeding them. Since studies have shown a link between ADHD and and what children eat, simply eliminating or adding certain foods may decrease symptoms or even get rid of them.

To me, changes in diets for children with ADHD, is much more preferable to prescription drugs. That’s because natural remedies, such as diet control, will get to the root of the problem rather than just putting a bandaid on it, which is exactly what the drugs will do.

Remember, a change to a healthy diet is a good thing. There is no downside to ADHD recommended diets that promote healthy eating.

Here is a diet that my son’s psychologist suggested.

You need to eliminate these foods for a couple of weeks:

* Dairy Products- The most important one to eliminate, from diets for children with adhd, is milk from a cow. There are other animals that produce milk, but I chose to replace it with water. And not just a glass or two. I had my son drink at least 6 glasses per day. Don’t cheat and give then kool-aid or ice tea because they don’t count as water. ADHD recommended diets, and for that matter all diets, include lots of water.

* Yellow foods- This will include, but not limited to, corn, yellow beans, and yellow squash.

* All junk food- Say bye bye to potato chips, McDonalds, and everything else with no nutritional value.

* Fruit juices- Way too much sugar. One glass of orange juice equals about six oranges.

* Sugar- This is probably the toughest one to eliminate because it’s in so many foods and drinks. If you can’t eliminate it 100%, come as close as you can. (Remember it’s only for two weeks)

* Candy- especially chocolate

* Artificial sweeteners- includes saccharin, nutrasweet, aspartame I know, I know! That was your solution to no sugar right?

* MSG- If you see this in the ingredients, put ot back on the shelf.

* Processed meats- When you read the ingredient label and you can’t pronounce them, put it back on the shelf.

* Fried chicken- and any thing else that is fried.

* Artificial food dyes- They will be listed as probably Red, yellow, or blue dye number whatever. Don’t touch them for now.

Once the two weeks are up you can start putting these food back into your child’s diet in the following manner.

Add one food every other day. Eat as much of that food as possible every day for four days. If your child has a problem with one of the foods, you will see some kind of a “reaction” within four days, such as hives on the body, or ears turning bright red, or even an increase in hyperactivity. If there’s a problem, you’ll know. If there’s no problem, you can include that food in ADHD recommended diets for your child.

Diets for children with ADHD should include as much organic food as you can afford because I know organic food can be expensive. Organic food is grown without all the dangerous long-lasting pesticides, herbicides and fungicides. Also include a healthy portion of fruits and vegetables your child’s diet.

Dietary control is just one part of an alternative treatment for ADHD. When combined with herbal and homeopathy remedies and behavioral therapy, natural treatment can be just as effective and much safer than prescription medicines. I’m sure your son or daughter will thank you in the future for the natural approach.

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Signs of ADHD- Overdiagnosis of ADHD in Children

  • Posted on January 3, 2010 at 12:21 pm

Does my Child have ADHD?  Overdiagnosis of ADHD in young children

The question at hand here “Is ADHD overdiagnosed in today’s youth?  It seems that in today’s society, whenever a child seems to be a bit hyper, they are diagnosed with ADHD.  Are we living in a society where we are raising our children to be addicted to drugs?  Does my child have ADHD?

Overdiagnosis is a major problem in society today.  Many children go through stages of restlessness and overactivity.  Does this really mean that they need to take drugs to calm down or are parents just too busy nowadays to deal with there children and help divert the child’s energy into something creative?

Anxious children are likely to be more hyperactive but I think they are too often diagnosed with something they don’t really have.

I am definately not saying that ADHD isn’t a real disorder.  I know it is real and there are some children who definately have it and need medication to function; however, I feel too many children are diagnosed with this disorder who don’t really have it and don’t need to be put on drugs.  They just either need more attention at home, more discipline and help to excel there energy in more positive, creative ways.  I am not judging any parents out there but let’s be realistic, today’s society is so busy that alot of parents take the easy way out insteady of dealing with the issues with the children head on.  Take for example, the popular show “Supernanny”.  I love this show.  Before supernanny comes to the home, there are videos shown of the kids at a very bad stage and the parents are unable to gain control of their own homes.  After Supernanny comes to help the parents regain the control, show proper discipline, be more creative and spend more quality time with their children, the whole household changes.

We cannot continue to teach our children that everytime someone has a problem, gets anxious or stressed out that they need a drug to feel better. 

Let our youth be children.  Today’s society is way too chemically dependent as is.

The 3 primary traits are inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.

Children who only have inattentive symptoms are sometimes overlooked because they are not often disruptive.  The most obvious sign is hyperactivity.  While many children are naturally quite active- Kids with ADHD usually cannot settle themselves down.

Do you desire to escape from the ADHD nightmare and go back to a time when things were calm and normal.  Escape the cycle of drugs and regain a sense of control.  Do your research on ADHD alternative treatments.  Ask yourself the questions- Does my child have ADHD?

Let’s stop making our children zombies and chemically dependent.  I know I wish I had my daughter’s energy  :-)

visit www.stoptheadhdmadness.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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ADHD Mercury Rolling – Holistic Treatment

  • Posted on January 2, 2010 at 4:20 pm

The Choice between Ritalin and Supplements.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ( Adult ADHD) is an internationally recognized, medical condition. Scientists have figured out that people with ADD recycle the same amount of dopamine every five minutes what it takes the average brain to recycle in an hour. This may explain why ADD is such a here and now disorder and why these children can’t sit still. Just like mercury as long as its rolling it stays together when it stops it falls apart. Vaccines?

The problem in the UK is that we are 10 years behind other European countries such as Sweden both in diagnosing, treatment and managing the condition. One of the greatest mis-understandings is that people make out that bad parenting is the cause. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Scientists have figured out that people with ADD recycle the same amount of dopamine every five minutes what it takes the average brain to recycle in an hour. This may explain why ADD is such a here and now disorder and why these children can’t sit still.

And ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder)? Only that ADHD is the official term and ADD is the more popular and media known one.

In order to meet diagnostic criteria, ADD behaviors must be excessive, long-term, and pervasive. The behaviors must appear before the age 7, and continue for at least 6 months. A crucial consideration is that the behaviors must create a real handicap in at least two areas of a person’s life, such as school, home, work, or social settings.

Reports are estimating that 4-6% of the population has ADD. Approximately one-half to two-thirds of children with ADD will continue to have significant problems with ADD symptoms and behaviors as adults. Many are ending up in the criminal system and girls who make up 25% of the ADD population are being missed.

Of the kids who are diagnosed, 5% of all school kids in Scotland, 50-70% of them will have another disorder, conduct disorder, depression, anxiety and obsessions, specific learning difficulties, speech and language disorder, low self esteem, social skills difficulties, relationship problems, substance abuse, auditory processing difficulties, dyspraxia, or asperger’s syndrome.

Mindroom

Sophie Dow who has a daughter with learning difficulties has set up a Scottish charity called MindRoom to address the needs of all these children. MindRoom this year held the biggest national conference ever in Edinburgh on the subject with over 800 delegates and 17 world renowned experts on the subject in attendance.

At the conference Professor Robert Doyle, a psychiatric professor from Harvard, explained a lot of the facts to me about this condition. Not only did he explain the symptoms in children but the long term consequences, if it is not recognized and treated for adults. “ADD is multifactorial and is a life condition,” he said. “In adulthood there is a 40% risk of alcoholism, 10-30% risk of drug addiction, and 10% risk of conduct disorder. By fifteen years of age 20% of the ADD population are self medicating with 75% of ADD adults smoking.”

So I asked “Why Ritalin?”

Drugs such as methylphenidate (or Ritalin) are used in the management of the disorder. These are stimulants that for a reason which is not known, bring the brain chemistry back into balance. The brain starts recycling dopamine every hour rather than every five minutes.

Alternative Medicine For ADHD

Peter Bennet a nutritionist who is a retired police superintendent from The Cactus Clinic in Edinburgh, treats kids with this disorder with food state nutrients such as zinc, vitamin B6 and essential fatty acids. They have found through genetic testing that some of the kids have a genetic disease called pyroluria which makes them have difficulty absorbing nutrients. They focus on the child’s diet. He told me that food state Vitamin B6 in their experience will give you the same beneficial effects as Ritalin. They also have seen that ADHD medications affect the child’s appetite which may worsen the problem.

Mothers at the conference held in Edinburgh on the subject said that they had to wait and fight for at least seven months for a diagnosis and in some cases years. All the mothers I interviewed said that all they wanted was just the best for their children. The ADD child can come from a family with other children that have no behavioral problems – so it’s not the parenting that is at fault.

Natural Treatment For ADHD

Many successful people have the condition and openly admit to it. Both psychiatrists had interesting stories about the condition. The son of a famous CEO was sent to a psychiatrist who took part in the conference who successfully treated the son for ADD after he had dropped out of university. He then received a call from the father requesting a meeting as he had been taking the same medication the son had secretly and was “feeling a whole lot better”.

Professor Samy Molcho, the protégé of Matisse the mime art genius from The Max Reinhard Institute said in conclusion “it might not be the child it might the school that is the problem. It’s not about what makes us happy its about what makes him happy.

Creation is not logical so we have to stop reducing everything and putting it in order. As long as you don’t react “I” don’t exist. Where there is movement there is life.”

ADHD Supplements – Stargate Nutrition

StarGate Nutrition nutrient material has been designed to be 16 times more effective, 5 times more utilised and 6 times more retained than the vast majority (99%) of nutrient material on the nutrition market. They have studied our material through independent laboratories using a number of biological studies to see its effectiveness over a number of development years. Their technology is based and confirmed by over 77 scientific papers and by a number of medical and nutrition Professors and prestigious institutions.They use 100% natural and totally allergen free.

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College Student and ADHD Medication Abuse Facts to Ponder

  • Posted on January 2, 2010 at 4:20 pm

A study done in 2007 shows that misuse and abuse of medication prescribed by ADHD is fast becoming a nationwide problem. This study had participations of nearly 11000 4th year students from colleges all over the US. These students we promised that their identity will be concealed to ensure honest and open answer.

Results included the following:

- The percentage of students that have used the stimulants during their life time is about 6.9%. 4.1% reported that they have used such stimulants in the past year and 2.1% in the past month

- It was also found that there are twice as much as male than female students who abuse these stimulants. Compared to African American, Caucasians uses them at a significantly higher level.

- Sorority and fraternity members used at a rate of more than double than nonmembers.

- Use was higher among students with a GPA of B or below.

- A collage with a more competitive admission criteria have higher number of students that abuses stimulants compared to colleges with lower admission criteria.

Also of interest is the fact that non-medical use of stimulants is often associated with other substance use. Consider the following percentages of those who used stimulants versus those who didn’t:

- Use of cigarettes: 67% vs. 24%
- Frequent binge drinking: 69% vs. 21%
- Use of ecstasy: 19% vs. 1%
- Use of cocaine: 17% vs. 1%
- Driving after binge drinking: 35% vs. 9%
- Being the passenger of a drunk driver: 66% vs. 21%

What are the reasons for using stimulants? The most common motive is to enhance academic performance especially when studying outside of class. This does not mean that using stimulants is never used for recreational purposes, but the findings are not that significant.

There is also reason to believe that students who uses these stimulants have undiagnosed ADD but then again, what are the reasons for students who do not have ADD yet still feel the need to stimulate concentration? Many who claims they have no problem with paying attention confesses that they find later that it is becoming increasingly hard for them to pay attention.

What actually is this findings trying to convey to parents who are concerned about the possibility of their children being involved with abuse of stimulant?

Parents should be on the look out for the following symptoms in their children :

1. Is your child under a lot of academic pressure, either to get in, or to excel, at his particular university? You may notice that he seems obsessed with getting into a school, or once in, worries constantly about keeping up and doing well.

2. How are his grades? If he seems horribly stressed and yet his grades are not reflective of his efforts, check with him.

3. Has your daughter lost a good bit of weight? Is she irritable and does she complain of having no appetite? Is this normal for her?

4. Is there other substance abuse that you are aware of?

5. Is your child complaining of problems with attention?

6. Does your child seem depressed?

Whatever the answers you may find from as a result of these questions, you should not neglect them. Whether they prove that your child is engaging in abuse of stimulants or not, as parents you will find it valuable enough as they make you understand what your children is experiencing.

The most important findings of this study shows that college students should be educated more about stimulants abuse. We should be looking out for accurate information on ADD as well as methods of treatment. We should also learn about other factors that can contribute to attention difficulties and why it is important to seek professional help rather than prescribing one’s own medicine. It is then also important for us to be aware of other methods be it medical or non medical that can assist people with ADD.

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Alternatives to ADHD Drugs For Kids and ADD Drugs

  • Posted on August 11, 2009 at 7:10 pm

The quality of food we eat (or lack thereof) has a profound affect on Attention Deficit Disorder and ADHD. For many people, nutrition alone can effectively work as an ADHD alternative treatment.

A growing body of research points to nutritional deficiencies – especially with essential fatty acids and amino acids – as a contributing factor of Attention Deficit Disorder and learning deficiencies.

image Put down the Ritalin bottle for one minute to consider these Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD nutrition research findings:

  • A George Washington University School of Medicine study found that hyperactive children who ate a meal high in protein did equally well, and sometimes better, in school than non-hyperactive kids.
  • An Oxford University (England) study evaluated the effects of fatty acid supplementation in average intelligence children with significant reading and writing disabilities. The ADHD symptoms in children receiving essential fatty acids significantly improved over the children in the control group receiving a placebo.
  • Researchers first tied Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD with lower essential fatty acid in 1981. Studies examining essential fatty acid blood levels in children with behavioral problems in 1983 confirmed this Attention Deficit Disorder nutrition connection.
  • Researchers further documented the essential fatty acid deficiency tie to Attention Deficit Disorder in a 1987 study. Then, a 1995 study comparing essential fatty acid levels in ADHD boys against a control group of boys without ADHD found significantly lower levels of Omega-3 fatty acids.
  • In 1996 Purdue University researchers have found that boys with low blood levels of Omega-3 fatty acids have a greater frequency of Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD.

Attention Deficit Disorder is the most common behavioral disorder in children. Not all Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD children are nutritionally deficient in essential fatty acids, statistics and studies show that a significant number of ADHD children are.

Physicians predominately use stimulant drugs such as Ritalin for Attention Deficit Disorder but studies show that Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD children whose treatment program includes only stimulant medication remain at a high risk for vandalism, petty crime, frequency of alcoholic intoxication, and possession of marijuana. Additionally, ADHD medications can cause potentially harmful side effects and does not treat the cause the Attention Deficit Disorder.

With Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD, nutrition and food is one the first aspect of treatment to consider, as an ADHD alternative treatment or used in conjunction with traditional ADHD stimulant drug treatment.

Fatty acids are used to make brain and nerve tissue in the body and are crucial for proper growth, mental function, the immune system and brain development. The body cannot produce the two fatty acids families, Omega-3 and Omega-6, on its own and therefore must receive these key Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD nutrition ingredients through diet and supplementation.

Although the typical Western diet is high in the Omega-6 family of fatty acids (found in corn, sunflower, canola and safflower oil, margarine, vegetable oil and shortening), most Americans young and old are highly deficient in Omega-3.

Learning specialists now believe many childhood behavior and learning problems are associated with Omega-3 deficiencies. This deficiency has a greater impact on males because their requirements for essential fatty acids are, in general, much higher.

My child is on drugs, how do I get my kids off drugs? http://www.howdoigetmykidsoffdrugs.com

ADHD adults and parents of ADHD children should include food high in Omega-3 fatty acids daily. That said, many children simply will not eat the Omega-3 rich salmon, mackerel and sardines.

image Enter flax seed and flax oil – "food of the gods" when it comes to Omega-3 fatty acids.

Flax seed and flax oil are the richest plant source of Omega-3 fatty acids and offers Attention Deficit Disorder nutrition vital to support healthy childhood behavioral and IQ development. One to two tablespoons of flax oil should be part of a every Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD nutrition food action plan.

In addition to the positive affects on brain functioning, flax oil also works to prevent heart disease and certain types of cancer. Flax oil helps soften skin, balance energy, burn fat, stimulate the metabolism, strengthen the immune system, manage diabetes, help prevent autoimmune disease and inflammatory disorders. Flax oil also helps alleviate PMS and some menopause symptoms.

Here are some easy ways to add flax oil into the daily diet;

  • Mix 1 tablespoon of flax oil in flavored yogurt.
  • 1 tablespoon of flax oil in fruit smoothies is virtually undetectable.
  • Mix 1 tablespoon of flax oil with one tablespoon maple syrup or honey as a sweetener instead of granulated sugar.
  • Use 1-2 tablespoons of flax oil when making tuna salad or egg salad while proportionally decreasing the amount of Miracle Whip or mayonnaise used.
  • Flax Butter: Melt one stick organic butter and mix with 4 ounces flax oil when cooled to room temperature. Refrigerate until the flax butter solidifies and use in place of margarine.
  • Omega-3 "Ice Cream": Mix 2 cups yogurt with 1 tablespoon flax oil and fresh or frozen fruit. Serve when frozen.

Most studies conducted on the affects of essential fatty acids found that at least 10 weeks of supplementation is needed to adequately raised fatty acid levels in brain cells. Follow a diet high in Omega-3 fatty acids for at least 10 weeks, and preferably 12 weeks, before judging the effectiveness of nutrition on Attention Deficit Disorder and ADHD symptoms.

Important points about flax oil:

  • Flax oil is highly perishable and should be kept refrigerated at all time.
  • Heat destroys the health-giving flax oil properties. Use flax oil only with cold foods, preferably cold proteins.
  • When buying flax oil, use only high quality, cold-pressed flax oil. The date pressed and a freshness date of four months or less from the pressed date should be on the label. If not, don’t buy it!
  • Do not use flax seed oil beyond its expiration date since the oil will turn rancid.

Essential fatty acids are not the only element needed when addressing Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD nutrition. Amino acids, from which protein is made, are an integral element since amino acids and essential fatty acids are both needed to work in the body. Therefore, adding quality protein is a key in Attention Deficit Disorder nutrition.

Attention Deficit and hyperactive people can greatly reduce the level of unfocused or misdirected energy simply by starting the day with a protein based breakfast. A solid protein breakfast can increase concentration, reduce restlessness and increase mental and physical calm.

Instead of starting the day with sugared cereals, pancakes covered in syrup, sweet rolls, doughnuts or danishes, try these brain-boosting breakfast ideas;

  • Scrambled eggs, toast and fruit.
  • Whole wheat toast with peanut butter.
  • Fruit and yogurt smoothie with flax oil.
  • Protein shake.
  • Bacon and eggs with toast and milk.
  • Egg and sausage patty on English muffin.
  • Yogurt mixed with a tablespoon of flax oil.

Bio: Jeannine Virtue is a freelance journalist and mother of an Attention Deficit Disorder son. Visit the Attention Deficit Disorder Help Center at http://www.add-adhd-help-center.com for effective drug-free alternatives to Ritalin, Texen, Concerta and other ADHD medications.

If you or a loved on is addicted to Ritalin, please watch this short video, it will take just a moment of your time and might save a life. Ritalin and Oxycontin Addiction video http://www.stgregorycrt.com

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