What is up with the rise in ADD/ADHD?
It’s becoming clear that we need a new approach to ADD/ADHD. The fact that clinicians basically label them and do nothing does not really help anything. Parents have been marketed to believe that medication can help solve the problem, when in fact it can make matters worse.
Many of these medications seem to dull the emotions and energy of the children taking them, ultimately making for a less positive and rich life experience. According to the CDC, 12% of U.S. children and teenagers have received a diagnosis of ADHD, a number that has jumped by 43% since 2003, according to a large national study based on parental reports of an ADHD diagnosis! ADHD has traditionally been more likely in boys, this is changing.
“We found the parent-reported prevalence for girls diagnosed with ADHD rose from 4.3 per cent in 2003 to 7.3% in 2011. That’s an increase of 55% over an eight year period,” said Sean D. Cleary, an associate professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at Milken Institute School of Public Health, at the George Washington University.
Possible root causes of ADD/ADHD:
Toxification of the brain and body with heavy metals, particularly mercury and lead.
Toxification from childhood vaccinations containing thimerosal, especially when given to a child who is sick, or on antibiotics .
Toxification from various environmental pollutants.
Nutritional deficits that impede detoxification and that impair neurotransmitter function.
Food allergies, sensitivities and intolerances that harm brain chemistry.
Inflammation of the brain, particularly from autoimmunity that is related to streptococcal bacteria. This results in a disease known as Pediatric Autoimmune neurophychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal Infection (PANS). PANS can create neuropsychiatric symptoms including tics, OCD, anxiety. Intermittent rage and symptoms similar to ADHD.
In utero stressors, including environmental toxins, inoculations, bacteria, viruses, nutritional deficiencies and emotional stress.
Thyroid disorders-most commonly low thyroid activity, resulting in impaired energy and cognitive function. A similar problem is autoimmune thyroid disorder.
Presence of testosterone in males, which exacerbates toxification.
Genetic factors that contribute to all of these various assaults upon the nervous system, immune system, and GI system.
What is being done to help?
“The medical profession is being bought by the pharmaceutical industry, not only in terms of the practice of medicine, but also in terms of teaching and research. The academic institutions of this country are allowing themselves to be the paid agents of the pharmaceutical industry. I think it’s disgraceful.” – Arnold Seymour Relman, Harvard Professor of Medicine
Due to the pharmaceutical industry, their influence and education to doctors, most families are only given the option to medicate. It is important for parents and teachers to understand that there are effective, safe and natural options that work. Some of the natural options include diet, nutrition, supplementation, chiropractic, craniosacral therapy, family counseling and social skills courses.
What natural options can help my child’s ADD/ADHD:
1. Diet and nutrition
Evaluation of diet and nutrition can make a significant difference in the lives of children and adults who have been diagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADHD). The Mayo Clinic claims that certain food preservatives and colorings could increase hyperactive behavior in some children. It would be best to avoid these, regardless of whether they are linked to ADHD or not. Encouraging the proper amounts of protein rich foods can prevent blood sugar spikes and also lends to aiding neurotransimtters, the chemicals released by brain cells to communicate with each other. Studies have shown certain diets or foods may actually worsen ADD/ADHD. The changes made to one’s diet and addition of proper nutrients can make a world of difference in manage the symptoms in your child. Remember to seek out the care of a physician to oversee these changes.
2. Omega Fish Oil
Fish oil has been shown to improve ADHD symptoms. A number of studies on omega-3s and ADHD have shown a positive effect. In a 2009 study, from Sweden, 25 percent of children who had daily doses of omega-3s had a significant decrease in symptoms after three months; by six months, almost 50 percent experienced better symptom management. This is an impressive result for a safe nutritional supplement with few side effects.
3. Minerals and Vitamins
A large majority of children are deficient in minerals and vitamins such as zinc, magnesium, potassium, vitamin C, and B vitamins.
4. Diagnostic testing
Comprehensive diagnostic testing will give insight into the individual case. Some of the labs that I run on patients around the world are:
a. Comprehensive Gut & Parasitology: a careful look at the microbiome and gut health. I recommend a two-day collection for the most accurate results. This test also reports the damage of the gut
b. Organic Acid Test (OAT): This is a comprehensive urine test which reports vitamin deficiencies, amino acid health, inflammatory markers, detoxification, digestion difficulties, neurotransmitter metabolites and mitochondrial profile.
c. Blood Test: to examine a baseline of values focusing on the immune system, thyroid, heavy metals, liver, kidney, minerals and vitamins.
Proper testing is imperative to do in order to know what is truly happening in your child’s body. I recommend urine, stool, blood and hair to begin. Together these will give you a clinical map of what is affecting the gut and in turn the brain.
5. Consider Integrative Care
There are many different pieces to working with a child diagnosed with ADD/ADHD; these are some, not all, of those pieces. After dedicating my career to children I know without a doubt each child needs and deserves individualized care for optimal results. The best advice I could give parents would be to focus on an integrative approach for their child, bringing in both therapy and medical focused care; this is the key to true health and wellness. The terms “integrative, functional, and biomedical” are often used interchangeably. These approaches all work at finding the underlying cause of your child’s diagnosis or symptoms, using a patient-centered approach to set an individualized treatment plan. I emphasize individualized care and early intervention. I offer a complimentary phone consultation to discuss your specific case and see if integrative care is the best path for your child.
What is next?
Request Your FREE ADD/ADHD Consultation and Get the Answers and Solutions You’ve Been Searching For To Help Uncover Your Child’s Struggles
Think nutrition or diet may be the cause of your child’s challenges?Are you considering or desiring alternatives to medication?Have you tried other therapies with little or no success? .
Toxification from various environmental pollutants.
Nutritional deficits that impede detoxification and that impair neurotransmitter function.
Food allergies, sensitivities and intolerances that harm brain chemistry.
Inflammation of the brain, particularly from autoimmunity that is related to streptococcal bacteria. This results in a disease known as Pediatric Autoimmune neurophychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal Infection (PANS). PANS can create neuropsychiatric including tics, OCD, anxiety. Intermittent rage and symptoms similar to ADHD.
In utero stressors, including environmental toxins, inoculations, bacteria, viruses, nutritional deficiencies and emotional stress.
Thyroid disorders-most commonly low thyroid activity, resulting in impaired energy and cognitive function. A similar problem is autoimmune thyroid disorder.
Presence of testosterone in males, which exacerbates toxification.
Genetic factors that contribute to all of these various assaults upon the nervous system, immune system, and GI system.
