Nutrition and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD)
Synopsis: Are parents, educators, and doctors over-medicating children? Are there any natural alternatives to prescription medication regarding ADD and ADHD? Find out more now before you make any irreversible decisions.
Focus ADHD
(Ages 1 - 99)
- Increase Attention Span
- Reduce Restlessness
- Improve Memory
- All Natural - No Prescription Necessary
- 30 Day Supply for Adults
- 60+ Day Supply for Children
- Focus ADHD Info...
Now Only $37.95 $29.95!
PureCalm for
Anxiety and Panic Attacks
- Reduce Anxiety
- Take the Edge Off Panic
- Calm Nerves
- 30+ Day Supply
- PureCalm Info...
Now Only $37.95 $29.95!
BrightSpark ADD
(Ages 1 - 12)
- Increased Attention Span
- All Natural and Safe
- Improve Focus
- Incredible Results
- 150 Dissolvable Tablets
- BrightSpark Info...
Now Only $20.95 $14.98!
What does nutrition have to do with attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?
Well, it really has everything to do with it. Think about it like this; typically health issues revolve around what is missing from our bodies. So it stands to reason that we can influence the effects of ADD and ADHD through diet first. Only when we've addressed diet can we move into other areas of management.
There are four areas of concern when dealing with the management of attention related disorders listed here in order of importance:
- Diet and nutrition
- Regimen and organization
- Mental fitness
- Behavior and attitude
Notice that none of these elements imply medication. That is not to say that medication does not or can not play a role, but it is my belief that medicine should be a last resort. There seems to be a growing trend to use medication as the first weapon in the arsenal toward health and improved focus. It is my belief that this stems from two sources: Ignorance and laziness.
The National Institute of Mental Health indicates that approximately 3% to 5% of children suffer from ADD and ADHD. That means that in a class of 30 children you should find no more than 2 children (average) in the class on any kind of attention related medication. Observation tends to imply that at least 10% (or more) of the proposed sample are taking some form of focus enhancing prescription medication.
The number (10%) listed above is simply one of observation and is not presently backed by any empirical data. A study is currently being proposed to determine through random sampling how many children (on average) are using mind altering prescription medication to enhance focus. Once complete, we should be able to approximate with more accuracy what the actual number is.
While there have been many advancements made in this area of study, it is unclear based on research what the long term effects of a generation using focus enhancing stimulants will be. Another concern; are we sending the message that if we need to improve performance, we should use a chemical to do so? Through the best of intentions, are we inadvertently promoting the use of drugs to solve mental, emotional, behavioral, and social problems? If that is the case, why does the sports industry frown on the use of performance enhancing drugs? Why are there so many side effects associated with the use of these "stimulants" used for both physical and mental enhancement?
Here is a story I personally observed: Amber (name changed to protect the student and parents) was in fourth grade. Throughout elementary school she was a model student that always performed in the top 5% of her class. Therefore she was placed in an accelerated program in the third grade to keep her from becoming bored and to help her stretch her mental muscle. At the end of the school year she was tested again and in some areas of study, scored in the top 1% of the nation.
Imagine her parents shock and surprise when Amber’s fourth grade teacher informed them that their daughter was suffering from ADD! Even more alarming, Amber's grades had plummeted seeming to support the idea that she was suffering from ADD. Her parents were devastated, worse yet, she was withdrawing due to frustration. But instead of taking her teachers "diagnosis" to heart and immediately seeking the advice of a doctor, they decided to do some research of their own and watch Amber closely for signs of anything...including ADD.
One thing Amber's parents found was that ADD and ADHD can be addressed (at least partially) through diet. One of the "big ticket items" to avoid regarding ADD is sugar. So they started adjusting Amber's diet to include less sugar, fewer simple carbohydrates, and more beneficial nutrients. At the same time, they opted to try two natural attention deficit hyperactivity and attention deficit disorder supplements that work well together; "BrightSpark ADD" for kids ages 1 - 12 and "Focus ADHD" formula.
To their delight, they did see an improvement in Amber's performance both at school and at home, her teacher even commented on her "improvements". It is important to note that they did not inform the teacher just what their plan was, they simply indicated that they were handling it. Amber's teacher naturally assumed they had, like so many others have, started her on one of the various ADD medications.
However, despite Amber's improvements, she was still struggling to "maintain focus". On a hunch from Amber's mother they decided to have Amber's eyes and ears checked. Amber passed her hearing test with flying colors...and failed her vision test. That's right, Amber needed glasses! They got Amber some prescription corrective glasses (which she absolutely loved) and her grades shot back up to her normal levels. She is now enjoying even better performance than she had been achieving through the third grade.
You might ask: How is it that the teacher and Amber's parents didn't know that the poor girl needed glasses? Amber didn't really fit the profile. She didn't complain of headaches, she only squinted from time to time, and she only complained about things being blurry once. However, none of this is the point. Many teachers have been taught, for whatever reason, that a lack of focus means ADD. It's not always the case!
Despite Amber needing glasses, her parents opted to maintain the low sugar diet and continue to use the natural ADD/ADHD remedies they discovered, and to this day she seems more focused than she did in the past.
The point is that this type of scenario plays itself out over and over every day in our schools:
- Teacher sees a problem and automatically associates it with ADD.
- School counselors (now typically psychologists) are called in and generally confirm the teachers "theory".
- Parents seek medical advice from a doctor (sometimes multiple doctors) who "test" the child, often "confirming the theories".
- Child is started on prescription medication to "correct" the behavior.
What if Amber's parents had done just that? What if they had taken her to the doctor and the doctor also missed that Amber needed glasses? It's entirely possible this could have happened because the doctor's opinion might have been pre-disposed toward looking for specific behavior. The poor girl would have been subjected to mind altering drugs and likely would have still had problems, thus beginning a spiral that nobody could guess the outcome of.
A guide on ADD and ADHD is currently being compiled about natural techniques for defeating ADD and ADHD. If you would like more information or want to be notified when it is released, sign up for the waiting list at: http://www.vbyx.com/news/addguide.htm
Don't take the word of teachers, psychiatrists, or even medical doctors. Do some research yourself and take pro-active action to help your children succeed without drugs. Only after you've exhausted all other options should you choose the path of medication for increased focus.
About The Author:
