Natural ADD Supplements -- Say No to Drugs
Natural ADD Supplements - Alternative Treatment for
ADD/ADHD
A big concern of parents these days is if and when they are
going to receive the "official" diagnosis - that little Johnny
or little Susie has ADD/ADHD.
They were aware that their child was a bit overactive. And the
report from the teachers was that little Johnny had a hard time
focusing, getting along with others, and remaining "on task."
But the "official" diagnosis meant that they were expected to do
something about this "problem." And that "something" was
probably expected to be a drug like Ritalin.
Many parents are informed by teachers or health care
professionals that they will be failing their children if they
decide against putting them on Ritalin or other drugs routinely
used to treat ADD.
Lots of parents, wanting their children to lead happy and
productive lives, give in to the pressure because of a lack of
information about alternative treatments.
Natural ADD Supplements are Finally Reaching the
Mainstream
Some parents are however, beginning to question the wisdom of
stringing their children out on drugs like Ritalin and other
amphetamines routinely used to treat ADD/ADHD.
Neurochemically, these drugs share a similarity to cocaine.
Countries such as Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Britain do not
routinely prescribe stimulants for ADD/ADHD as we do here in the
U.S.
As a matter of fact, stimulants in the U.S. are prescribed for
ADD/ADHD at a rate of five times that of all the other world's
countries combined.
The UN recently reported that between 3 and 5 percent of the
schoolchildren in America are currently taking Ritalin.
But things are beginning to change.
More and more parents are beginning to learn about natural ADD
supplements. They are beginning to seek alternatives to
stimulants such as Ritalin, Cylert, and Dexedrine, or
antidepressants like Prozac or Wellbutrin, or other commonly
prescribed medications such as Desipramine and Clonidine.
Alternative Treatments and Natural ADD Supplements
Although the diagnosis of ADD/ADHD may be justified for some
kids, it is felt that in a lot of cases the diagnosis is
misplaced and undeserved.
Most kids are naturally active and curious -- it is the nature
of the child. But in this daycare oriented society, the model
child is the one who sits still all day and is "seen, not heard."
The child who seems to be a bit overactive, the one who tries
climbing the bookshelf, or the one who has a difficult time
turning it off after coming in from the playground, risk the
"official" diagnosis.
According to Ward Dean, MD, "A major contributing factor to the
ADD epidemic is the little-known fact that public (government)
schools all have federally-supported programs for the learning
disabled. The more children who are diagnosed with ADD, the more
federal money the schools receive, giving public schools a
tremendous incentive to maintain as high a number of children
with ADD as possible."
So when it comes to natural ADD supplements, what is found to
be effective?
A growing school of thought seems to point to your child's diet
as a significant contributing factor in her inability to remain
"on task." Unfortunately, this subject is beyond the scope of
our discussion.
However just briefly, a diet high in protein and fat
(polyunsaturated) and low in carbohydrates, has been shown to
add focus to hyperactive children.
As for the nutrients and homeopathic remedies that are gaining
in popularity for their effectiveness, let's look at a few.
DMAE -- occurs naturally in such foods as sardines and anchovies
(you feed them to your kids, right)? DAME has been shown to be a
real brain booster.
Magnesium -- this mineral has been called the unappreciated
"mineral of life." Magnesium is responsible for activating the
over 300 enzymes that are absolutely necessary for the
biochemical reactions of our brain cells.
5-HTP -- this is what's called a precursor of (comes before and
is required for the production of) serotonin. Serotonin is a
brain neurotransmitter responsible for natural feelings of well
being. Serotonin deficiencies have been linked to depression,
anxiety, and sleep disturbances as well as over eating and
carbohydrate craving.
To learn more about these and other natural ADD supplements, be sure
to check out our page on homeopathic remedies for ADD/ADHD.