Natural approach to ADHD with omega 3 fatty acids, Grape seed, vitamin B and zinc

Dr. HingHau Tsang's Crusade on Nutrition

Newsletter #90 --- Natural approach to ADHD in Children and Adult

ADHD affects 3 - 5 percent of school-age children and 2 - 4 percent of adults. Children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have problems paying attention, listening to instructions and completing tasks. They also fidget and squirm, are hyperactive, blurt out answers, and interrupt others. The adult version of ADHD usually occurs in people who had ADHD as children. About 67 percent of children with the disorder will continue to have symptoms as adults. In adults, the key symptoms of the disorder - inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity - may be less apparent but may manifest as problems in relationships or work, mood disorders, substance abuse, or as various psychological difficulties.

Drugs, such as Ritalin, are frequently used to treat ADHD. However they are fraught with many side effects such as decreased appetite, decreased growth, insomnia, increased irritability, and rebound hyperactivity when the drug wears off.

What cause ADHD?

Both genetic and environmental factors play a role in ADHD.

A deficiency of Essential omega 3 fatty acids is often seen in children with ADHD.

Possible cause for the low fish oil status of the ADHD children may be impaired conversion of the fatty acid precursors LA (Linolenic Acid) and ALA (alpha-linolenic acid from Flax seed Oil) to their longer and more highly unsaturated products, EPA and DHA (fish oil fats). It appears that children with ADHD just are not able to chemically convert the plant omega-3, ALA to fish oil very well. The problem is further worsened when omega-6 fats are consumed and the ideal omega-6: omega-3 ratio of 1:1 progresses to the typical standard American ratio of 15:1. Many of these children have ratios which are even worse and can be as high as 50:1.

Many times, food intolerance or food allergy is manifested in behavior.

Dietary therapies as alternatives to Ritalin first emerged in the 1970s. New research is beginning to back up the Feingold hypoallergenic diet. A study in The Lancet (May 9, 1992) reported that a majority of ADHD children (116 out of 185) put on a hypoallergenic diet supplemented by calcium, magnesium and zinc as well as vitamins responded favorably, with fewer ADHD symptoms. A 1993 Cornell University study used a regimen that eliminated dairy products, wheat, corn, yeast, soy, citrus, eggs, chocolate, peanuts and artificial colors and preservatives. After just two weeks, 19 of 26 children with ADHD showed decreased hyperactivity. A study in the Annals of Allergy (May, 1994) showed that children on a diet free of dairy, wheat, corn, soy, citrus, eggs, chocolate, peanuts, artificial colors and preservatives for two weeks experienced considerably less hyperactivity, but the symptoms returned when they resumed their normal diets. These studies suggest that dietary therapies may be a useful alternative to Ritalin.

Natural approach to ADHD in Children

Follow the Feingold hypoallergenic diet. The diet basics are:

Reduce sweets and simple sugar intake.

Eliminate all white substances from the diet (white sugar, white flour and milk)

Eliminate common food allergies including milk, wheat, chocolate, citrus, yeast, food additives and food dyes.

Emphasizes wholesome, nourishing foods such as fresh vegetable soups and whole grains (brown rice, millet and whole oats) which are rich in B vitamins, calcium and magnesium. Fresh fruits serve as a cleansing agent, ridding the body of toxins. The fructose in fruit helps children withdraw from processed sugar and helps reducing their urge to binge on sugar.

2. Supplements

Daily supplement with omega -3 fatty acid is essential. Eskimo Kids is naturally pure, stable, delicious Tutti-Frutti flavor omega -3, free from unpleasant fishy after-taste found in other fish oils products. Research has proved that children with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder) taking Omega 3 fatty acid shown significant improvements from children taking placebo only.

American Journal Clinical Nutrition January 2000:71(1), 327-330 - Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder by John R Burgess, Laura Stevens, Wen Zhang and Louise Peck, Department of Foods and Nutrition, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.

This study provides the research evidence supporting the use of the omega-3 fats found in fish oils to effectively address the underlying deficiency that is present in most of these children and appears to be contributing to the ADHD.

Help Your Child The ability to focus and attention with Surf Buddies CONCENTRATE which is a high - potency sugar free formula with five ingredients that help support healthy focus and concentration in children. The ability to focus on the subject at hand is crucial to your child's academic success.
Grape seed extract 1 -2 capsule a day. Many families use grape see extract for their ADHD children and report great success. Grapeseed contains Oligomeric proanthocyanins (OPC's) which have been anecdotally reported to help with ADHD.

Take Kids Multi-Vitamin/mineral everyday. Vitamin B6 deficiency has been seen in many ADHD patients. Magnesium levels are often low in ADHD patients. Take one Zinc-Loz every other day. Zinc deficiency is also seen in many children with ADHD.

Natural approach to ADHD in Adult

Eliminate - one at a time - dairy products, wheat, corn, yeast, soy, citrus, eggs, chocolate, peanuts, artificial colors and food dyes.

Take daily supplemental Omega 3 Fatty Acid with DHA which is concentrated in the brain. Start with 2-4 grams daily.

Cogni-Flex 1 -2 capsule with a meal daily.
Grape seed extract 1 -2 capsule a day.

Take a high-quality multivitamin Clinical Nutrients for Men or Clinical Nutrients For Women or Tri-B-100 (Vitamin B complex) everyday.

Take a good probiotic such as Probiotic Pearls - a product that contains "friendly" bacteria that can stabilize the digestive tract.

Biofeedback and homeopathy are also worth exploring.

References

The Lancet (May 9, 1992) reported that a majority of ADHD children (116 out of 185) put on a hypoallergenic diet supplemented by calcium, magnesium and zinc as well as vitamins responded favorably, with fewer ADHD symptoms.

Child Psychol Psychiatry. 1996 Feb;37(2):225-7. Relationships between serum free fatty acids and zinc, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder:

Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback. 2003 Mar;28(1):63-75. Schnoll R, et al. Nutrition in the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: a neglected but important aspect.

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Disclaimer

Dr. Tsang wishes to share his knowledge & Opinion with the public regarding the importance of " Nutritional Supplements ". This is for your information only. Drugs have powerful effects on the body, so please don't abruptly stop taking any prescription medication. Always consult your physician or health care provider before you use any nutritional supplement or switch from drugs to natural health products.

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