Nourishing the ADHD Child

A Natural Approach

Nourishing the ADHD Child

While taking a natural approach to treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is controversial, there’s no harm done in exploring these options within reason. 

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can wreak havoc in the classroom, in relationships, and in the lives of those parents struggling each day to help their children who suffer from the disorder. For parents who want to cut back on the use of Ritalin and other prescription drugs, a more natural approach can be explored to mitigate the symptoms generated by ADD/ADHD.

A Gift

Natural foods purveyor Terry Lemerond of Terry Naturally says that while most people call ADD/ADHD a disorder, it’s possible to see the condition as a gift, if only we can learn how to manage it the right way. People with ADHD are good at making quick decisions and remain ever-alert to their surroundings. These traits can be quite useful in modern society. Still, says Lemerond, natural options can improve overall health and decrease the impact of the more negative aspects of ADHD.

To start with, Lemerond states that ADHD children should avoid eating foods containing gluten or those with artificial preservatives, colors, sweeteners, or flavors. He adds that refined sugars must be avoided. Rather, the diet of the ADHD child should be based on high quality proteins and be low in carbohydrates. An important addition to the diet of the child with ADHD is the inclusion of healthy fats, for instance flax seed oil and olive oil.

Healthy fats contain omega-3’s which can aid memory, concentration and behavior. Because many children balk at eating fish and because of the potential for mercury ingestion, Lemerond advises children to substitute docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in supplement form. The natural foods expert says these supplements help to increase the absorption of omega 3 fatty acids by binding them to phospholipids through a process of vectorization.

Poor Carriers

Lemerond explains that in the case of fish oil, DHA and EPA use triglycerides for their transport and these are poor carriers for these essential fatty acids (EFA’s).  However, phospholipids are efficient carriers for DHA and EPA. In addition their excellent transport properties, the phospholipids, in and of themselves benefit brain health and may have a positive effect on attention, focus, mood, and memory.

Other nutrients important to the management of ADHD include phosphatidylserine, grape seed, black currant, taurine, L-tyrosine, DMAE, and certain vitamins. Vitamin B, DMAE, and the amino acid known as L-tyrosine, for instance, can aid the functioning of the neurotransmitters.
In many cases, those with ADHD have coexisting mental health issues, such as anxiety and stress. Those who suffer from ADHD, anxiety, and stress may find benefit in Echinacea extract taken from the variety known as Echinacea angustifolia, says Lemerond.

This article has been copied in it's entirety from www.cognibeat.com and can be found here:  http://community.cognibeat.com/2010/12/anaturalapproach