HEALTHY LIVING

by

Eva Warren

Natural Ways To Heal ADHD

ADHD is a common health condition in today’s world. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder may not only affect the workplace, but school, home, and sports competition are all involved as well. Those diagnosed with ADHD may include very creative persons, as well as people with borderline autism. These bright creative people are simply unable to focus. This neurodevelopment disorder with impulsive, disruptive, and inattentive behavior can cause many stresses in the lives of people who suffer from this disorder.

Are there natural remedies which may help ADHD sufferers? Are there lifestyle and diet changes which may help? Let us take a look at what may be available.

Many cases of ADD and ADHD in children, as well as adults, can be traced to diet. Diana Schwarzbein, M.D., author of The Schwarzbein Principle, states that by eliminating sugar, stimulants, and added stress ADD and ADHD may be greatly improved, if not eliminated. Eating nutritious meals, along with getting rid of the offending stress, food or stimulant may give the ADHD sufferer much needed relief.

Dr. Lendon Smith expands on this idea in Well Being Journal. Dr. Smith states that eating sugar, or other foods which one may be sensitive to, may lead to poor concentration, irritability, tantrums, aggression or sleep problems. Once the sugar and white flour are removed from the diet, improvement may be seen.

Here is another example. In Appleton, Wisconsin, Natural Ovens installed a healthy lunch program. Fresh salads, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and meats prepared the old-fashioned way were served to the students. Only pure water was available for drinking. Soda pop machines were taken off school property. A “miracle” occurred! Grades went up, behavior was no longer a problem, and teachers could teach the children again.

William B. Ferril, M.D. in a nutritional article, A Doctor’s Note, expands on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Dr. Ferril states that the human brain contains more fat weight than nerve weight. Compared to other body fats, brain fats are different in their composition. Since brain fats are different, in order for them to reproduce, certain vitamins, minerals, and cofactors are needed. Free radical damage occurs due to the brain’s rapid metabolic rate. Brain fats can be replaced easily if adequate dietary fats and supplements are available to the brain. This is often overlooked by mainstream medical doctors, according to Dr. Ferril.

The majority of American children are very deficient in many vitamins and minerals according to numerous government studies. Vitamin A, essential fatty acids, magnesium, zinc, vitamin C, B-complex, and E are just some of the nutritional deficiencies in children and adults in the United States. New structural brain fats can only be manufactured by supplying these nutrients to the brain. Because children need to replace damaged fats as well as needing fats for growth, they are especially affected.

Jeff Bradstreet M.D., a pediatrician, has moved from the mainstream treatment most often offered in brain function disorders. Dr. Bradstreet takes into consideration impaired digestion, body toxicity, and immune and metabolic defects common to patients with impaired brain functions -- including obsessive-compulsive disorder and dyslexia. His treatment plan focuses on healing the digestive tracts, detoxifing the liver, and insuring proper nutrients to support the brain and immune function. Dr. Bradstreet’s success rate is high. He uses only holistic approaches and not prescription drugs.

The specific nutritional supplements that help stabilize and replace malfunctioning brains are as follows.

Hydrogenated fats must be avoided. Hydrogenated fats are found in processed and fast foods.

Flax oil and fish oil feed the brain as well as other parts of the body. Phosphatidyl serine, lecithin ( phosphatidyl choline) and DMAE are important brain fats and neurotransmitter precursors.

Vitamins B6 and B12 along with B-complex, serine, methionine, folate are molecular building components which feed the brain and make brain fats.

Potassium, selenium, magnesium and zinc are minerals needed by the brain to drive protective chemical reactions and power up neurons.

SOD (found in green barley) and grape seed extract are antioxidants which protect brain lipids.

Digestive enzymes will help the body assimilate nutrients and nullify allergens.

Cleansing programs may enable the liver to detoxify as well as heal leaky gut. Leaky gut is connected to toxic overload because toxins leak from the gut and seep toward the liver. These areas may need to be addressed as well. A good holistic health practitioner in your area should be able to offer such programs.

Basic nutritional brain science must be addressed and not ignored. Too often ADHD is treated with stimulants and counseling by mainstream medical doctors. Until the GI tract difficulties, immune and metabolic issues are considered holistically the body and brain may not heal.

This information is not meant to diagnose, treat or prescribe in any manner. Until next time I am wishing for you the best in health and life.

---------

Eva is a graduate of the American Institute of Holistic Theology and practices as a Doctor of Naturology. You may reach her at littleherbshoppe@hotmail.com

------------
HOME