(also referred to as...) Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD, AD/HD)
Description Hyperactivity is usually associated with children and is currently the No. 1 childhood psychiatric disorder. Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, as this situation is now commonly called, was unheard of before the 1950s, yet the number of cases are exponentially increasing today. ADHD is an umbrella term given to three recognizable behaviours : inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. Children that are affixed with this label often have normal or above-average Intelligence Quotients (IQ). The condition may also be present in children with learning disabilities, such as language or memory-recall disorders. It also appears that ADHD runs in families, either due to genetics, environmental exposure (see below), or as learned behaviour.
The Warning Sign While ADHD is treated as an ailment in and of itself, it is important to consider the greater implications of this situation is symptom of a larger cause. Frighteningly escalating cases of ADHD should prompt us to consider what this epidemic is revealing. What signs are we being shown in regard to the health non-human nature, the integrity of our food supply and the social stability of our cities and homes that all culminate in a physical/emotional/ psychological/spiritual "ailment" collectively known as Attention Deficit Disorder? It is this question that we should be asking before drugging our children and indulging in the belief that the "problem" has been rectified. A number of individuals site the following deficiencies that may be at the root cause of ADHD: nutritionally deficient diets, food allergies and sensitivities, over-use of antibiotics leading to yeast overgrowth, environmental toxins, and changes in family social dynamics.
Symptoms and Signs: As the name implies, ADHD children are hyperactive, edgy, cannot sit down, have short attention spans, cannot concentrate or focus, cannot complete simple tasks, are impatient, highly emotional, defiant and/or aggressive, and resist discipline. It is also important to consider that your children may have ADHD-like symptoms merely because they are bored by and not engaged with a monotonous teacher or because the material of study is simply not challenging, interactive, stimulating, or relational. Most school curricula involve children sitting for excessive and unrealistic periods of time...
Causes: Nutritional deficiencies, antibiotic over-use and environmental toxin exposure can all lead to ADHD. Social stresses, either in the home, at school, or in the community, also have physical / mental / emotional effects on children. Nutritional Deficiencies Children with ADHD typically have a number of internal biochemical imbalances. In the majority of situations, high levels of toxic byproducts of yeast and harmful bacteria are present in their digestive tract. This situation is caused by the consumption of nutritionally deficient, over-processed food, excess refined sugar, unchecked food allergies, and irresponsible use of antibiotics (see below). Children do not get the nutrients they need for healthy physical and mental growth from a nutritionally deficient diet. A 1997 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) study published in the journal Pediatrics showed that only 1% of the 3,000 children and adolescents interviewed met daily nutritional requirements and 16% did not meet any requirement. Approximately half of their daily caloric intake was obtained from fat and sugar... Results of such frightening nutritional scarcity include classic ADHD symptoms in addition to a weakened immune system, nervous system, and compromised digestive tract. This leads to a number of problems discussed below. Food allergies often manifest themselves as ADHD symptoms. Allergic reactions include hyperactivity, mood swings, and other behavioural and physical reactions. Other reactions to allergens can mimic bacterial infection, as noted below. It is interesting to note that the foods we are the most allergic to are also the ones we most crave and most frequently consume. Foods high in refined sugars and yeast also act as food for yeast and fungus already in the body. See Antibiotic Over-Use, below, for more information. White sugar also weakens the immune system as it attempts to fight off this foreign "invader".
Antibiotic Over-Use Children who are given antibiotics to treat ear infections and common colds tend to have a higher rate of acquiring ADHD symptoms. An ear infection may be a manifested food allergy. Have an allergy test performed and avoid these foods. Common allergies include cow's milk, wheat, and soy. The majority of colds are viral, not bacterial, in nature. As a result, antibiotics will have no effect and will exacerbate the cycle described below. Antibiotics eliminate both harmful and helpful bacteria. If helpful bacteria are not replenished, the body cannot absorb the nutrients it needs to function properly and the ability of the digestive tract to properly absorb food becomes compromised. In this situation, the harmful bacteria will flourish. The digestive tract becomes overrun with yeast and normal metabolic processes cannot occur. In addition, harmful bacteria, yeast, and other pathogens produce toxins and wastes that are absorbed into the bloodstream and interfere with proper nervous and immune system functioning. A stressed nervous system can result in ADHD symptoms as internal neural messages are not properly transmitted. Nutritional deficiencies and food allergies compound this problem.
Environmental Toxin Exposure Exposure to environmental toxins affects human development and general function in an incredible number of intricate complex ways. From the unborn fetus to the full-grown adult, toxic exposure can hinder physical, mental, and emotional development at any period. If interactions occur at key stages of development, such as those in the first trimester of pregnancy, resulting damage will be permanent. The luxuries enjoyed by our modern lifestyle has brought with it an arsenal of chemical by-products released into the air, land, and water we interact with every day. These includes air, water, and food-borne pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides, cleaning products, car, school bus, and truck exhaust, and heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic that may be present in paint, plastics, food and soil. Known carcinogens are nationally banned, exported, or regulated as their proof of their harm is objectively discovered. In industry, products are deemed innocent until proven guilty. And obtaining such "guilt" is an expensive, slow, primarily scientific process. Sadly, there is an additional class of toxins for which very little action has been taken on, due to their indirect, long-term, and subtle effects on biological organisms. Hormone-mimicking chemicals are often byproducts of a variety of industrial processes or part of the fabrication process itself. When introduced to mammals, they "impersonate" naturally occurring hormones in the body. Estrogen is the most common hormone mimicked. Testosterone is less common. Both are essential to reproduction. The two primary ways chemicals disrupt normal hormone interaction in the body is either through stimulation or prevention of a natural response. The "imposters" latch on to receptor sites in the body and send mixed messages. For example, an estrogen receptor responsible for triggering a key moment in fetal development may occur too early or too late. Alternative, hormone-mimics can prevent natural hormones from interacting with receptor sites, thereby blocking potential messages. The effects on the individual can range from no observed effect, to completely sabotaging the ability to conceive, develop a healthy child during key development phases of the first trimester, or bring a pregnancy to term. Ingesting hormone-mimicking chemicals does not hurt. You cannot see, smell, or taste them per se. Their potential damage lies in their effects on subsequent generations -- our children. The most current book on this matter is Our Stolen Future by Theo Colborn, Dianne Dumanoski, and John Peterson Myers. It is an extremely thorough, accountable work covering thousands of scientific studies and uncovering the links and corresponding possibilities of potential impacts. For viable methods of avoiding exposure, see Remedies/Lifestyle, below. The most least understood and most potentially devastating of all forms of toxin exposure are those from hormone-mimicking chemicals. These chemicals confuse the body's ability to convey messages regarding normal function and growth. "Natural" messages, such as triggering a specific moment in sexual development, can be blocked or re-routed. "Mimicked" messages, such as the production or cessation of estrogen, can provoke or revoke a response by the body. In all, these chemicals possess an uncanny ability to threaten the evolution of the human species at the most fundamental levels: reproduction and fetal development. For reasons beyond the scope of this description, it is extremely difficult to eliminate all sources of exposure to hormone-mimicking chemicals. However, viable steps can be taken to reduce the risk to yourself, your child, your family, friends, and others.
What to Expect: Social problems often occur as a result of the actions of ADHD children. Discipline and attention-related problems at school create cause of concern for both parent and child. Similar situations at home stress family relations. ADHD can be a very emotionally stressing situation for all those involved. The common approach to dealing with ADHD is the prescription of methylphenidate, a narcotic drug better known as Ritalin. This drug is in the same class as morphine and other narcotics. Ritalin prescriptions have quadrupled since 1990 and it is estimated that 8 million North American school children will be on this drug in 2000. Ritalin use is five times higher in the United States that all other parts of the world combined. Average revenues for this drug alone exceed $500 million annually... Though this "fix" is quick and easy, the drug does not deal with underlying causes that are primarily nutritional in nature. Side effects of use include insomnia, slowed growth, facial tics, depression, liver damage, and a curtailed "child spirit" -- the exhilarating sense of awe, wonder, and boundfull joy of simply experiencing countless moments of life.
Remedies As noted above, prescription drugs are the most common approach to dealing with ADHD. A large variety of alternative approaches are outlined below. Key to success includes a healthy, nutritious diet and no processed foods. Aside from helping to deal with ADHD, these two solutions alone have countless other cascading benefits for both your child and you! Many parents note significant results when using alternative approaches. Note that progress is cumulative as damage must first be undone before healing can begin. You may notice positive change in as little as four days or as much as a month. If you do not notice much improvement or find your child "peaks", consult your naturopath or other health practitioner who can holistically review your child's situation and provide an appropriate remedy regimen. If your child is currently taking Ritalin, you can still use alternative approaches. However, you will not notice change until your child is temporarily taken off the drug, such as on a weekend or vacation. If you note positive change, consult with your health practitioner about reducing or eliminating Ritalin.
Foods To curb yeast/fungal growth, add 2 drops of oregano oil to juice or food daily. Grapefruit seed extract can also be used for this purpose. Use either liquid or capsule form. Mix the liquid into juice or food. Dosage is 250mg equivalent twice daily for children 6 to 11. Dosage can be doubled for children 12 and up. Garlic has natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. The molecular structure is so complex that no known bacteria has adapted to it, yet. This makes garlic an ideal natural alternative to antibiotics as well. Add raw or slightly cooked garlic to meals. You may also purchase odourless garlic capsules and empty the contents onto food. Do not overuse garlic as it may cause stomach upset in young children. Ensure your child is drinking enough water. The brain is more than 80% water and dehydration hinders the transmission and reception of nerve impulses. Ensure your water is from a clean, toxin-free source. Choose spring water over tap water, but avoid distilled, as this mineral-deprived form will deplete the body of nutrients. Aim for eight glasses of water daily. If your child is unaccustomed to drinking this quantity, start at 4 or 5 glasses and increase to 8 over the course of 1-2 weeks. In addition, do not substitute pop or sugar-based fruit drinks for water. The sugars, additives, preservatives, and empty calories in these liquids only negatively contribute to the situation.
Food Supplements Essential Fatty Acids are essential for normal brain and nervous system function. You can obtain EFA's from flaxseed/linseed oil, hemp seed oil, pumpkin seed oil, borage seed oil, and evening primrose oil, fish, eggs, and walnuts. If using liquid form, take two tablespoons daily. If using flaxseed oil capsules, take 2 to 3 capsules daily, in the morning. If using evening primrose oil capsules take 1 500mg capsule daily, in the morning. Acidophilus and Bifidus supplementation will restore beneficial bacteria counts in the digestive tract and help keep harmful bacteria at bay. It is essential that these bacteria be restored to the body, particularly after the use of antibiotics. Look for a dairy-free formulation with at least 2.5 billion viable cultures per capsule and keep refrigerated. Take 2 or 3 capsules daily on an empty stomach, preferably in the morning or right before bed. Supplements with Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) provide a beneficial "bed" and initial food source for the bacteria. If dairy allergies have been ruled out, you can also eat yogurt that has had either bacterial culture added.
Lifestyle After food allergies have been isolated, (see Therapies, Healing Aids, & More, below) reduce or eliminate sugar and yeast-containing foods. These ingredients provide food for the harmful yeast already in the body. The goal is to check their growth and starve their numbers, as it were. Yeast products include breads, pizza dough, bagels, donuts, and baked goods. Further yeast elimination solutions can be found under Remedies -- Foods, above. White sugar should be eliminated completely from the diet as this ingredient acts as food for yeast and also compromises the immune system. Substitutions include fruit and fruit sweetened desserts and cereals. Check your local health food store. Start substitutions when your child is young as transitions may become more difficult in older children. Tell your child why you are making changes so that s/he is as informed as you are. It is commonly thought that behavioral changes are the first sign of nutritional deficiency. It is thus very important to eliminate fast food, fried foods, over-processed foods, and high-sugar foods and desserts from the diet. Do not give children stimulants such as sugar and caffeine found in soft drinks, chocolate and candy bars, and bubble gum. Aside from consisting of empty calories, these foods do not supply the body with the nutrients it needs (essential during child growth periods) and unnecessarily stress the liver and immune system. Similar to how adults become "wired" and then "fall" after consuming too much coffee, the high white-sugar content of these foods makes for a similar effect in children. Replace these foods with raw, organic fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and protein. A healthy, wholesome diet will ensure an adequate supply of essential vitamins, minerals, and other compounds resulting in better physical/mental/emotional health. Avoid contact with plastic. Hormone-mimicking chemicals used in the fabrication process can leech when heated, flexed, or rubbed and can hinder neural and physical development and the ability to reproduce. Never heat food wrapped in plastic film or placed in a plastic container. Avoid plastic bottles, cutlery, kettles, mugs, spatulas, strainers, and utensils. Alternatives include glass, stainless steel, iron, paper, ceramic, or earthenware kitchen items. Remember that hormone-mimicking chemicals affect us at a biological level in parts per trillion. Such minute quantities are extremely difficult to even detect, let alone create legislation around their use. Due to the incredible number of chemicals produced and the lack of cost-effective testing available, it is extremely difficult to isolate specific hormone-mimicking chemicals. While many use this as an excuse to continue production and consumption, you must ask yourself what potential costs you are willing to pay for the added convenience of plastic. In almost every instance, a viable alternative is readily available. Following this trend, avoid and eliminate all sources of chemical exposure. Common household cleaners containing poison symbols should be eliminated. If you cannot drink it, why would you expose your family to it in small doses over a long period of time? Long term toxic exposure is a silent and deadly threat. And viable alternatives are readily available. Natural alternatives are available in health food stores, while vinegar or baking soda and water clean just about anything. Companies such as Nature Clean, Simply Clean, and Ecover sell viable alternatives that work just as well, if not better, than their toxin equivalents. Do not spray your lawn with toxic chemicals. Lawn spraying is an acutely North American habit whose consequences are far greater than the trivial, aesthetic gains. Think about it. You are poisoning your lawn, pets, children, and yourself to satisfy a social norm. Again, follow the above rule of if you cannot drink, why would you exposure your family to it? Instead, welcome the diversity of life a natural lawn brings. Your children will be able to enjoy the outdoors while playing on the grass. You could even tear up the lawn and plant a natural garden with native plant species. This is a welcome trend in humanizing our urban areas. Butterflies, birds and beautiful planted bulbs make for a welcome replacement to a toxic expanse of empty space. Is your family's health worth less than an image of manicured perfection? It is also important to keep in mind that children are naturally more active, explorative, and outgoing. "Boys will be boys", as the old saying goes. Children need to run and play and feel that unrestricted sense of freedom that allows them to explore and learn about the world around them. As society becomes more docile and passive, the natural behaviour of our children may seem unnatural in comparison. Kids may not be acting wild or uncontrollable, they may just be acting like kids ... Therapies, Healing Aids, & More Allergy testing should be performed to indicate sensitive foods. These foods should be eliminated from the diet. Common food allergies include cow's milk, wheat, and soy. Remember that the foods we are the most allergic to are also the ones we most crave and most frequently consume. Skin tests or positive IgE RAST testing can help isolate specific allergens. Misaligned vertebrae result in pinched peripheral nerves, causing pain and/or malfunction. In the case of hyperactivity, skull misalignments may lead to pressure directly on the brain, hindering its ability to function. In addition, pressure on nerves flowing to and from the brain disrupt communications, while a decreased blood supply can further impair function. The typical cause of such spinal and cranial misalignments is the use of forceps during the birthing process, which exerts pressure on the baby's soft skull. Chiropractic (subluxation) may help address this issue and, coupled with the above mentioned lifestyle changes, has proven quite successful in many situations. Consult with a qualified chiropractor, naturopath, or other health practitioner. Exercise is vital to healthy physical development. And aside from promoting healthy bones and muscle, exercise helps eliminate toxins through sweat, provides oxygen to the brain and every other organ, and produces natural mood-enhancing endorphins. Some also believe that a child learns most when at play...
Vitamins A good multivitamin with chelated minerals will supplement any lost nutrients not obtained in the normal diet. Chelated minerals are more easily absorbed by the body. Look for a multivitamin that is free of additives, preservatives, colourants, sugar, corn, wheat, soy, and yeast. B-50 Complex will provide a child's nervous system with the necessary nutrients to function correctly. Take one 50mg capsule once or twice daily. Do not take more than 50mg at one time as the body cannot absorb a larger amount in a single dosage. Vitamin C has antibacterial properties and will also help strengthen the immune system. Take 500mg once daily. Increase dosage as per the advice of your naturopath or other health practitioner.
Actions and Remedy Listings
See also Digestive Problems and Weakened Immune System
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