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Educate Yourself On ADD and ADHD - Diet Can Have A Big Impact.
One of the most popular areas of health concern is that which pertains to ADD (attention deficit disorder) and ADHD (attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder). Some children are so uncooperative that they can disrupt an entire class or room. Automatically ADD and ADHD are considered to be the problem.
While children diagnosed with these disorders are thought to have some sort of brain dysfunction or disease, it probably isn't the case. Some children/ adults just can't concentrate or sit still. They sometimes cannot settle down to eat or sleep. Adapting to new situations can be a problem and could result in overreactions or inappropriate reactions if they feel overwhelmed or enter a social situation. Other symptoms can include unpredictable or impulsive behavior which can also become destructive.
This type of behavior tends to be marked as an illness when really it just may mean that the person needs a more challenging learning environment or that they just perform better when not around a lot of people. Or better yet, maybe they're just being kids in the case of children.
Studies have shown that roughly 80-90% of ADHD-diagnosed children are boys. Why does it seem that boys are being singled out just for being boys? Their behavior, maybe including rowdiness, is not normal for boys? It's interesting that if a school labels a child with a "disability", they will receive a $420 federal bounty for EACH child. Teachers who may not be able to discipline a child the way they may need to may give that diagnoses in order to deal with those being disruptive in class.
These are the supposed symptoms of ADHD:
Inattention, loses things, easily distracted, pays little attention to detail, makes careless mistakes, short attention span, forgetful in daily activities, hyperactivity, impulsiveness, fidgets squirms in seat, talks excessively, blurts out answers before questions are completed, wants to run things, non-compliance, is "sassy", has poor organizational skills, dreaminess, tantrums, and inappropriate behavior. As you can see, the ranges go from just not being able to focus all the way to bouncing off the walls.
Drugs are normally prescribed- Ritalin especially. If given to a child before the age of puberty, this "speed-type" drug has a sedative effect. It works by overwhelming the central nervous system thus cutting down the motors making it difficult for the child to move and to communicate. Even adults will "improve" while using stimulant medication.
RITALIN
Stimulants (Dexedrine, Cyclert, Ritalin) or antidepressants (Tofranil, Norpramin, Elavil) are prescribed for ADHD. These all have side effects and it's unknown if they cause permanent harm.
Ritalin does appear to help some people pay attention and function better. It's use, per Richard Bromfield PH.D., Harvard Medical School seems to depend largely on parents' and teachers' ability to tolerate children's behavior. This does not even approach the underlying problems, let alone the side effects of the medication. It is frequently viewed as a "magic bullet", making children not "responsible for the behavior". From 1990 to 1995 Ritalin prescriptions increased almost sixfold.
More than 70% of pediatricians in the US use Ritalin as a tool for ADHD which results in "misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment". Most people who are considered normal experience improved attention and concentration with a stimulant. Just because someone responds to a stimulant, there is no reason to unnecessarily label them with ADHD or ADD.
In some schools, up to 50% are on Ritalin while other neighboring schools are only at 4 or 5%! Using Ritalin for treatment is not as prevalent in other countries - it seems to be more of an American phenomenon.
Ritalin is considered a Class II narcotic rating- the same as cocaine, opium and morphine. Worse yet, it's ineffective in about 30% of it's users. For those it may "seem" to help, it's only temporary. Withdrawals symptoms can be severe.
Adverse reactions may continue for years and may include:
Heart palpitations, blood pressure changes, cardiac arrhythmias, growth suppression, seizures, visual disturbances, Tourette's syndrome (tics, spasms, barking sounds, screaming obscenities), paranoid and persecutory delusions, tendency to harm self or others, toxic psychosis, depression, insomnia, nervousness, skin rash, loss of appetite, nausea, dizziness, headaches, abdominal pain, and lowered white blood cell counts.
FOOD ADDITIVES
In 1973 Benjamin Feingold, M.D>, a pediatric allergist, advised the doctors attending an American Medical Association meeting that food containing additives caused 40-50% of the hyperactivity he'd seen in his office. Many children, after they stopped eating foods containing artificial flavors and colorings and preservatives, improved dramatically. Behavior and learning disabilities also improved.

Studies were performed during the late 1970s which seemed to discount Feingold's program. The problem was that many were being performed by the Nutrition Foundation which was funded by the makers of products including Coca-Cola, Fruit Loops, C & H Sugar and other low quality foods that were packed with refined sugars and artificial additives. Later about 85% of the hyperactive children reacted to synthetic food additives which linked hyperactivity and food additives in the 1980s.
Recent studies have shown many children benefiting from the Feingold Diet. One study found that 79% of hyper-active children improved by eliminating suspect food. They also worsened when that food was reintroduced.
Behavior problems, including ADHD have been connected with deficiencies in ZINC. Zinc plays a vital role in brain development and functions, especially for abilities to learn and remember.
THE FOLLOWING NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES MAY CONTRIBUTE TO SYMPTOMS AS WELL (Remove all Deficiencies with Trace Minerals)
IODINE- Leads to dramatic impairment in brain development when the deficiency occurs during pregnancy.
SELENIUM- Poor Selenium status may alter neurotransmitter metabolism.
CHROMIUM- It helps to regulate glucose (blood sugar). "Nerve disorders" may benefit from supplementation.
COOPER- A lack of sufficient copper can result in central nervous system impairment.
CALCIUM- Moderate deficiency can lead to excessive irritability or hypersensitivity of nerves, insomnia, nervousness, dizziness, and mental aberrations. Mood, learning, memory capacities and behavior are affected by this mineral.
POTASSIUM- Lowered levels can cause central nervous system changes, nervous disorders, and impairment of glucose metabolism.
SODIUM- (Deficiency from food sources, not refined salt) may contribute to poor memory and concentration, apathy, short attention span, and low blood sugar.
PROTEIN- Sources of total, bio-available protein are essential and includes breast milk.
EXCESSIVE PHOSPHATE INTAKE- Found in processed foods (processed and canned meats, processed cheeses, instant soups and puddings, various toppings and seasonings, etc.), many bakery products, colas and other soft drinks; phosphate consumption has been associated with hyperactivity, unruly or aggressive behavior, and symptoms of minimal brain damage.
-->Here's How I TOTALLY got RID of my Daughter's Toxic Levels<--- Her behavior turned around within a WEEK!
ALUMINUM OR LEAD TOXICITY- Results in learning disorders, hyperactivity, poor memory and concentration, aggressive or anti-social behavior, symptoms of minimal brain damage or dysfunction, reading problems, slower reflexes, poor eye-hand coordination, and irritability.
MERCURY POISONING- May contribute to irritability, moodiness, nervousness, insomnia, fatigue, headachess, loss of memory, numbness of lips, hands and feel.
Researchers have found that the first two years of life, when the brain grows to almost 80% of its adult size, is the most influential time for nutrition. But recently, studies have shown that under-nutrition during any period of childhood can affect intellectual development.
ELIMINATE ALL Deficiencies with Trace Minerals
IN CLOSING......
ADHD and ADD may have many causes but most are controllable. By changing the diet, eliminating poisons and synthetic chemicals, adding whole, natural foods and food/mineral supplements which approach specific needs. Because many victims crave and prefer refined sugars and other processed foods, it takes much effort and patience to weed these non foods from the diet.
Did you know... visitors to Grand Canyon National Park love feeding deer "junk food" such as candy, Cheetos, Fritos, cupcakes, hot dogs, burgers, fries and pizza? Well, in 1995 park rangers had to KILL dozens of deer because they were hooked on junk food. The diet resulted in "extremely poor health" and the animals lost their ability to digest vegetation which meant they were starving to death! Once they got refined sugar and other processed, chemicalized treats, they developed addictions. This sacrificed their need for nutrients, health and life. That should speak volumes to us humans!
-Adapted from Judith A. DeCava, C.C.N., L.N.C's "Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder" Summary
**ATTENTION - A RECENT HEALTH BREAKTHRU: See How PAINLESSLY Removing Toxins and Sickness From Your Body Naturally Gets Rid Of ADD/ADHD and Other Problems!
** NOTE:** Gluten Intolerance Can Cause ADHD Type of Symptoms. Click Here For More Info **
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