Managing ADHD without Drugs

Drugs sales for the treatment of ADHD has skyrocketed over the last two decades.  Approximately 13 percent of children's prescription dollars are spent on this class of medications. Add to this the fact that sometimes, through over zealous evaluation and diagnosis, many children are being incorrectly diagnosed resulting in their taking medications that they don't need as well as being exposed to potential negative outcomes of medication side effects. Such facts are raising the eyebrows of concerned medical and educational professionals.

 Granted, some children need the medication which, along with counselling, may help them manage difficult behaviors.  However, a growing number of health care practitioners are voicing concerns about current treatment protocols and recommending as adjunct treatment some simple steps that could help manage  the disorder  resulting in a possible reduction or discontinuing of medication.  (Of course, the medical professional should make this decision along with the input of parents, teachers and the child study team).

This post will examine several treatments options for managing this disorder.

Minimize food additives

Additives such as food colorings and artificial flavors may trigger behavioral changes in sensitive, as well as trigger allergic reactions. Studies have shown that children given drinks containing artificial dye showed significantly higher hyperactive behavior within a few hours.  Try giving water and more natural fruit juices.

Consider an elimination diet

There are many children and adults who are sensitive to products such as wheat, MSG, soy, corn, gluten and dairy.  Studies have revealed that when these food items were removed from the diet for a period of approximately six weeks, the behaviors lessened.   Then, as the food items were reintroduced, the behaviors began again. It may be necessary to play detective, but many interesting changes may come as a result.

TV and ADHD

It is a known fact that  excessive TV and video games causes a worsening of ADHD.  It is a good idea to recommend outdoor physical activity for your youngster.

Organic Shopping

Try to buy produce in whole supermarkets. Hopefully this will eliminate some of the harmful chemicals and pesticides often found in conventional supermarkets.  Again, through studies, children who were found to have more pesticide residue found in the urine, were more likely to be diagosed with ADHD.

Iron Levels

Studies have shown that children diagnosed with ADHD were more likely to have lower iron levels.  Once supplementation was begun, the symptoms greatly improved to the point of adjusting or discontinuing medications.

Ask your doc to check serum iron and ferritin levels.

Sources:

Marshall, Lisa, Natural Approacfhes to ADHD"

Vitamin D: how the sunshine vitamin benefits your health

Vitamin D is one of the latest nutrients en vogue with researchers. The media is almost daily giving us updates regarding the disease fighting potential of this wonder vitamin. 

We already know that vitamin D is important in building strong bones and teeth but did you know that vitamin D protects the heart and is beneficial in maintaining healthy blood pressure? It also does so much more for us.

Let's take a look at some of the benefits.

Vitamin D-What is it?

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that requires sunlight and skin oils to  be produced.  People on  low-fat diets are often at risk from not absorbing enough of the fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D and E).  Fat is also needed for storage of these nutrients.  

Low fat diets also impact our nerves since they are up to 75 percent fat.  A low-fat diet with low levels of vitamin D can add to nerve damage and other neurological problems.

Vitamin D deficiency disease

Since so many of Americans have a sedentary lifestyle which consists of working in an office and coming home to indoor chores and responsibilities, we are at risk for deficiency of this very important vitamin.  Resarchers have found that people with low levels of vitamin D had a 57 percent higher risk of developing Typ II or adult onset diabetes as this nutrient has an important role in regulating blood sugar.

Vitamin D deficiency disease also can cause depresion and anxiety.  Scientist also speculate that vitamin D3 may stop skin cancer cells from turning malignant.  Vitamin D has also been cited as reducing the chances of a woman developing breast cancer.

Unfortuntely, many medical treatments and medication can contribute to deficiency states.  For example, chronic use of prescription antidepressants cause deficiency of vitamin D. 

Wholesome sources of Vitamin D

The sun is one of the best natural sources of vitamin D.  Try to avoid midday sun though.  Remember also that sunblock interferes with the body's production of this vitamin.  Antioxidant supplements a few days before sun exposure prove beneficial in protecting the skin from the harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Food sources of vitamin D include tuna, salmon and egg yolks.

Sources:

Freeman, Dian, "Kids, Go Out And Play!"  Natural Awakenings Magazine

What does Organic mean?

There has been so much advertisement and hype about organic foods that it really is important to understand what this term really means.  Many manufacturers are using this term indiscriminately to inrease profts by appealing to those seeking foods that are free from dangerous chemical contaminants.

What then is organic food and how will it impact the health of your family?

Organic foods

Organic foods are produced using:

1. Agricultural management practices that promote healthy ecosystems and prohibit the use of genetically engineered seeds or crops, sweage, sludge, long-lasting pestcdes, herbicides or fungicides.

2. Livestock management practices that promote healthy, humanely treated animals by providing organically-grown feed, fresh air and outdoor access while using no antibiotics or added growth hormones.

3.  Food processing practices that protect the integrity of the organic product and disallow irradiation, genetically modified ingredients or syntheic preservatives.

Are there standard that must be met?

In 1990 Congress passed the Organic Foods Production Act, which established a set of national regulations to define organic agriculture.  Many groups and individuals worked closely with the USDA and the National Organic Standards Board to form the United States Department of Agriculture Organic Rule which went into effect on October 21, 2002.

Currently, the Organic Rule is working to create cedrtification standards for other products such as textiles, seafood and pet food.

Sources:

"Organics and You" http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/