Nutritional deficiencies are a factor in many psychological disorders. Many children with learning disorders have an allergic reaction to casein and gluten. Casein is a protein found in milk, so it may be wise to eliminate dairy from your diet. Gluten is found in grains, making wheat, spelt, oats, barley, and rye problematic. Common food allergens are corn, soy, eggs, tomatoes, yeast, and peanuts. Eat instead a diet high in protein that also includes high-fiber fruits and vegetables, plus brown rice, lentils, and potatoes. Obtain protein from fish, poultry, lamb, and non-animal sources, such as beans and legumes, raw nuts and seeds, and tofu. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, canned and packaged foods, carbonated beverages, chocolate, all junk foods, refined and processed foods, saturated fats, and sugar. Also avoid foods containing artificial colors or ingredients, as well as fatty foods.
Enhance brain power with the following daily supplements (if for a child, check with a health professional for appropriate dosages):
Most Important
calcium (1500 mg)-essential for normal brain and nervous system function
magnesium (1000 mg)-helps calcium absorption
vitamin B complex (50 mg 3 times daily with food)-essential for normal brain and nervous system functio
Also Recommended
choline (500 to 2000 mg)-improves brain function; use only under professional supervision
coenzyme (as directed on label) improves brain function
dimethylglycine (100 mg)-carries oxygen to the brain
vitamin C with bioflavonoids (5000 to 20,000 mg in divided doses)-a free radical scavenger
vitamin E (200 to 600 IU)-improves circulation and brain function
N-acetyl cysteine (as directed on label) important because of its antioxidant qualities
Herbal Therapy
Red clover, hawthorn berry, lemon balm, and bacopa are recommended for calming the nervous system of an extremely active child. See a qualified herbalist for details on using them.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Acupundure Because attention deficit disorder is thought to be cause by heart and liver Imbalances, traditional Chinese medical practitioners treat them accordingly. An acupuncturist seeks to correct any energy imbalances in the meridians that correspond to these organs. Practitioners also may use acupuncture to promote relaxation and alleviate stress, which canexacerbate the condition.
Chinese Herbal Therapy Herbal preparations that can be used to calm the central nervous system and balance chi include Ginseng and Zizyphus Forumula, Astragalus Combination, and Concha Marguerita and Ligustrum Formula. Other herbs that may be prescribed with the preceding formulas for ADD are Schisandra, Biota or Arbor Vitae seeds, and Wild Chinese Jujube.
A few decades ago, a child who couldn't sit still and wouldn't pay attention in class was called "hyper," or worse, a "problem child." Today, the same youngster might be diagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADD), also known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD). The condition basically describes a person's inability to concentrate-on sitting still, on a lesson given in class, on reading a book, on what someone else is saying, and so on. Demanding that a person with ADD pay attention will not work, nor will punishment. It's not known exactly why a person with ADD has such difficulty focusing.
The cause of ADD is also unknown. Prominent theories include heredity, lead poisoning, allergies to food additives, brain injuries incurred by the child during the mother's pregnancy (perhaps the mother was in an accident, smoked cigarettes, or used drugs or alcohol), oxygen deprivation during birth, or head trauma as an infant. ADD affects many more males than females.
ADD typically appears before the age of seven; however, it isn't limited to children. Some children do outgrow it, but many more do not, meaning many adults are afflicted with the disorder.
Signs and Symptoms
Difficulty sustaining attention
Easily distracted
Fidgeting and physical restlessness
Has difficulty allowing others to speak without interrupting
Doesn't appear to listen to others when they speak
Often talks excessively
Frequently loses things
Difficulty following directions
Shifts from one unfinished task to another
Inability to play or sit quietly
Impulsive personality
Inability to organize thoughts, toys, work space
Conventional Medical Treatment
If left untreated, ADD can isolate a sufferer, whose behavior may unintentionally frighten people. There is also a connection between untreated attention deficit disorder and parental abuse, failure at school, and low selfesteem. Thus, if you suspect that you or your child may have attention deficit disorder, a trip to your physician is in order. To arrive at a diagnosis of ADD, your doctor conducts a series of physical and neurological examinations as well as behavioral observation. The doctor also requests a detailed history of early childhood development. Treatment for ADD includes behavior modification techniques, avoiding overstimulation, providing a consistent daily routine, and avoiding sugar and food additives, which are believed to contribute to hyperactivity. In more severe cases, a drug may be prescribed to help reduce hyperactivity. Methylphenidate (Ritalin) is the most common of these, but pemoline (Cylert) is also used. These medications decrease motor activity and increase attention span in children. Side effects, such as insomnia and weight loss, are rare.
Both Franchis & Richard Bean are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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