Commonsense Solutions, Alive: Canada's Natural Health Magazine
I came across this article on helping children who have ADHD. It's a great magazine which a Canadian can find at most health stores FREE. The September issue of 2006 tunes into children's health so if you're living in Canada, grab yourself a copy. If not, see if you can find it here: www.alive.com
Treating ADHD
1. Turn off the TV: TV/video games alter brain waves, creating lack of focus and concentration. Set TV viewing limits for all family members.
2. Go outside: Being outdoors in a natural, green environment may reduce attention deficit symptoms, according to a 2004 study of over 2000 children of all ages.
3. Be happy: Take care of your emotional needs. Seek out a counsellor who can help you manage the challenges associated with ADHD behaviour. Consider using homeopathy and flower remedies to manage emotions. Researchers have found Bach flower remedies may be effective in managing ADHD symptoms.
4. Get enough sleep: Create a regulated sleep schedule. Studies show adequate sleep improves our cognitive abilities.
5. Take nutritional supplements: Vitamins B, C, E, minerals (magnesium, calcium, zinc), phytonutrients, amino acids, essential fatty acids, antioxidants, phospholipids (needed for brain development), and acidophilus (for healthy intestinal development). Essential fatty acids are just that -essential for the bra in - and omega 3s need support from vitamins and minerals to convert properly in the body.
6. Eat genuine whole foods: Use natural sweetners- honey, organic raw sugar, molasses or stevia. Current research supports diets similar to the Feingold Diet, which became popular in the 70's and is still used today by parents concerned about their children's food allergies.
Eat fewer additives and preservatives and eliminate common allergenic foods. SINCE ADHD IS RELATED TO BRAIN ACTIVITY, IT ONLY MAKES SENSE TO SUPPORT THE BRAIN WITH PROTEIN AS WELL AS FOODS HIGH IN ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS SUCH AS FISH.
A combination of dietary, lifestyle, and behaviour interventions offers relief from many ADHD symptoms.. so, get plenty of sleep, take your vitamins, turn off your TV, and go play outside!
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I posted this because it confirms that many of us are on the right path in what we've been trying so far. YEAH!! :)
5. Take nutritional supplements: Vitamins B, C, E, minerals (magnesium, calcium, zinc), phytonutrients, amino acids, essential fatty acids, antioxidants, phospholipids (needed for brain development), and acidophilus (for healthy intestinal development). Essential fatty acids are just that -essential for the bra in - and omega 3s need support from vitamins and minerals to convert properly in the body.
Does anyone know what the bold items are and what food/supplement products contain these items? Just curious.
Thank you pammar. I'm surprised that wasn't on the list as well.Hey thanks vickie!Phytonutrients are plant derived nutrients:
http://www.ars.usda.gov/Aboutus/docs.htm?docid=4142
Acidiphilus refers to a bacterium that is in some live culture yogurts:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactobacillus_acidophilus
Phospholipids make up the cell membranes of your body's cells. http://jn.nutrition.org/nutinfo/content/lipi.shtml I do not know which ones are being alluded to in the posting. Hopfully someone will have the information for you.
There might be more people with information on the alternatives board also.
I would add, make sure your child gets every available, necessary school/community intervention. Don't rely just on either meds or supplements. And if the child needs interventions that are more in sync with another disorder, heck, GET THEM ANYWAYS. A name means little, and nothing has proven to help kids more than interventions. Good luck.