Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most common behavioral disorder in children, estimated to affect between 5 to 10 percent of children and 3 to 6 percent of adults, according to the Attention Deficit Disorder Association. Children with ADHD tend to be hyperactive, impulsive and inattentive.
Not everyone who is overly hyperactive, inattentive, or impulsive has ADHD. Since most people answer out of turn, are distracted easily, and become disorganized, how can specialists tell if the problem is specifically ADHD?
Health care providers can diagnose ADHD with the help of standard guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics. The behaviors must create a real handicap in at least two areas of a person's life such as in the schoolroom, at home, or in social settings. Therefore, someone who shows some symptoms but whose schoolwork or friendships are not impaired by these behaviors would not be diagnosed with ADHD. Nor would a child who seems overly active on the playground but functions well elsewhere receive an ADHD diagnosis.
The cause of ADHD remains unknown however genetics and biological factors which affect neurotransmitter activity in the brain are influential. From a holistic point of view, food additives and food allergies, environmental allergens, nutritional deficiencies, and heavy metal toxicities such as lead, aluminum and mercury all contribute to the cause.
New research is now appearing that shows the link between consumption of food additives by children and ADHD. An online article published in “The Lancet” in September found that artificial food coloring and additives commonly located in children's food exacerbate hyperactive behaviors in children. The study consisted of 153 3-year-olds and 144 8/9-year-old children. Analysis was based on observation, plus a computerized test of attention for the 8/9-year-old children.
Depending on the child's sensitivity, food additives cause biochemical imbalances in the body which strongly influences the way the brain functions. In the case of ADHD diagnosed children, it alters their behavior making them restless and/or distracted. There are more than 5,000 additives in our food supply; therefore, making it almost impossible to completely eradicate them from our diets. However, limiting the intake by preparing meals containing whole foods and by reading labels to identify ingredients shown to exacerbate symptoms can aid in reducing the severity of the symptoms.
Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are crucial to brain development and function. Increasing evidence indicates that deficiencies of these fatty acids might be associated with childhood developmental disorders including ADHD. Omega-3's are often lacking in our diets. Studies have indicated that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids help in the management of the ADHD linked behavioral and learning difficulties. Food sources containing these essential fatty acids are fish such as salmon, halibut and trout and freshly ground flaxseeds, to name a few.
Supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids can also be used. A study reported in “European Neuropsychopharmacology” in February reported that omega-3 fatty acid is highly effective in treating children with ADHD. They supplemented children over eight weeks, and results indicated that participants experienced a 30-percent reduction in symptoms without side effects. Caution should be used when buying omega-3 fatty acid supplements over-the-counter. Traces of heavy metals have been found in these supplements; therefore, high potent supplements indicating distillation processes should be obtained.
Iron deficiency has also been shown to contribute to the cause of ADHD. Low iron levels have been indicated in research to create abnormal dopamine synthesis in the brain yielding ADHD symptoms. A study published in the journal “Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine” showed that serum ferritin levels indicating iron stores in children ages 4 to 14 years old were abnormal in 84 percent of the children with ADHD. In addition, low serum ferritin levels were correlated with more severe ADHD symptoms and greater cognitive deficits. These results suggest that ADHD children may benefit from iron supplementation.
If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, remember that pharmaceutical drugs aren't the only solution available. Supplementing with critical nutrients and improving children's diets have proved to be extremely beneficial in many scientific research studies; therefore, making it a sensible alternative solution for parents to explore.
Amanda H. Fey is a naturopathic doctor currently working at
The Center in Auburn (www.thecenter4wellness.com). Contact her at 704-0319.
Health care providers can diagnose ADHD with the help of standard guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics. The behaviors must create a real handicap in at least two areas of a person's life such as in the schoolroom, at home, or in social settings. Therefore, someone who shows some symptoms but whose schoolwork or friendships are not impaired by these behaviors would not be diagnosed with ADHD. Nor would a child who seems overly active on the playground but functions well elsewhere receive an ADHD diagnosis.
The cause of ADHD remains unknown however genetics and biological factors which affect neurotransmitter activity in the brain are influential. From a holistic point of view, food additives and food allergies, environmental allergens, nutritional deficiencies, and heavy metal toxicities such as lead, aluminum and mercury all contribute to the cause.
New research is now appearing that shows the link between consumption of food additives by children and ADHD. An online article published in “The Lancet” in September found that artificial food coloring and additives commonly located in children's food exacerbate hyperactive behaviors in children. The study consisted of 153 3-year-olds and 144 8/9-year-old children. Analysis was based on observation, plus a computerized test of attention for the 8/9-year-old children.
Depending on the child's sensitivity, food additives cause biochemical imbalances in the body which strongly influences the way the brain functions. In the case of ADHD diagnosed children, it alters their behavior making them restless and/or distracted. There are more than 5,000 additives in our food supply; therefore, making it almost impossible to completely eradicate them from our diets. However, limiting the intake by preparing meals containing whole foods and by reading labels to identify ingredients shown to exacerbate symptoms can aid in reducing the severity of the symptoms.
Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are crucial to brain development and function. Increasing evidence indicates that deficiencies of these fatty acids might be associated with childhood developmental disorders including ADHD. Omega-3's are often lacking in our diets. Studies have indicated that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids help in the management of the ADHD linked behavioral and learning difficulties. Food sources containing these essential fatty acids are fish such as salmon, halibut and trout and freshly ground flaxseeds, to name a few.
Supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids can also be used. A study reported in “European Neuropsychopharmacology” in February reported that omega-3 fatty acid is highly effective in treating children with ADHD. They supplemented children over eight weeks, and results indicated that participants experienced a 30-percent reduction in symptoms without side effects. Caution should be used when buying omega-3 fatty acid supplements over-the-counter. Traces of heavy metals have been found in these supplements; therefore, high potent supplements indicating distillation processes should be obtained.
Iron deficiency has also been shown to contribute to the cause of ADHD. Low iron levels have been indicated in research to create abnormal dopamine synthesis in the brain yielding ADHD symptoms. A study published in the journal “Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine” showed that serum ferritin levels indicating iron stores in children ages 4 to 14 years old were abnormal in 84 percent of the children with ADHD. In addition, low serum ferritin levels were correlated with more severe ADHD symptoms and greater cognitive deficits. These results suggest that ADHD children may benefit from iron supplementation.
If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, remember that pharmaceutical drugs aren't the only solution available. Supplementing with critical nutrients and improving children's diets have proved to be extremely beneficial in many scientific research studies; therefore, making it a sensible alternative solution for parents to explore.
Amanda H. Fey is a naturopathic doctor currently working at
The Center in Auburn (www.thecenter4wellness.com). Contact her at 704-0319.
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