ADHD
by author Joey Shulman, DC, RNCP

ADHD: These are initials everyone has heard, but many don’t completely understand. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the leading childhood psychiatric diagnosis in North America, is a hot topic when it comes to childhood behaviour. What exactly is this disorder, and what is the natural approach to treating it?

According to the US National Institutes of Health, “ADHD is a neurobehavioural disorder that interferes with a person’s ability to stay on a task and to exercise age-appropriate inhibition (cognitive alone or both cognitive and behavioural).”

Someone diagnosed with ADHD may exhibit inappropriate levels of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. These behaviours appear at school, at home, and in social situations while studying, performing tasks, or listening to people talk.

Currently, it is estimated that the rate of ADHD in school-aged children ranges from 5 to 12 percent, with males outnumbering females approximately three to one.

Natural approaches

There are several natural approaches to ADHD that have been researched and shown to be successful.

Supplement with omega-3 fatty acids: Omega-3 is an essential fat that is critical to normal and healthy brain function. It is found in food sources such as cold-water fish, fish oils, flaxseed oil, walnuts, almonds, sesame seeds, and fortified foods such as yogourt, eggs, and bread.

Several research studies support the role of omega-3 in the treatment of ADHD. In a cross-sectional study of six- to 12-year-old boys, for example, 53 subjects with ADHD had significantly lower proportions of key fatty acids in the blood than did 43 control subjects.

Another study found that children with hyperactivity behaviour have symptoms consistent with essential fatty acid deficiency which include extreme tiredness (fatigue), poor memory, dry skin, heart problems, mood swings or depression, and poor circulation.

For children with ADHD, fish oils are now available in capsule form or in a variety of tasty flavours that can be added to a morning smoothie or juice.

Limit television viewing: Since television and computer screen time is becoming an increasing presence in our young children’s lives, we need to be aware of the effects this may be having on their long-term development.

A research study, published in 2004, demonstrated that for every hour of television watched, 10 percent of the one- and three-year-old children studied demonstrated increased attentional problems (behaviour associated with ADHD) by the age of seven.

While this research may not be definitive, it makes sense for parents to use caution when deciding how much screen time children should be allowed to access or be exposed to.

Watch sugar intake: Consuming highly sugared and processed foods causes blood sugar to fluctuate and in turn affects behaviour and energy. Instead of foods with added sugar, opt for natural sweetness in the form of fruit, homemade popsicles made from natural fruit juices, and smoothies.

Avoid food dyes: Last year the Center for Science in the Public Interest called on the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ban artificial colouring in all foods, based on a claim that artificial colouring can exacerbate behavioural problems such as those linked to ADHD.

A 2007 British study, reported in The Lancet, found that common food additives and preservatives increase levels of hyperactivity in children and toddlers. The study involved 153 three-year-olds and 144 children aged eight or nine. The toddlers and children, split into one of three groups, received one of the following:

• mix A which contained artificial food colouring
• mix B which contained the preservative sodium benzoate (a preservative) and artificial food colouring
• placebo, a chemical-free drink

The researchers found that, among the three-year-old children, mix A had a significantly adverse effect on hyperactivity compared with placebo. The effects for mix B were varied compared to placebo in this group. Among the eight- and nine-year-old children, a significantly adverse effect was reported when given mix A or mix B.

Although the precise behavioural trigger could not be clearly identified, the impact on a child’s attention, mood, and focus is abundantly clear.

Joey Shulman, DC, RNCP, is the author of several books and founder of The Shulman Weight Loss Clinic. drjoey.com

Source: alive #323, September 2009