Over four million children and millions more adults in this country have been diagnosed ADHD. The only problem is that not one MD or shrink can actually PROVE their diagnosis is correct. Has a doctor EVER given your child a urine or blood test to PROVE that it's ADHD? No, they haven't. It's all theory and opinion. Then they turn around and give your child a potentially lethal drug. Is that okay with you? Once my "light bulb" went on (FINALLY) I told my son's shrink & therapist that I was finished with them and their drugs. (It was the best thing I ever did and today, my son is doing very, very well.) I went to the library and researched ADHD myself and found some REAL answers. Here's one of them: Back in 1960, the American Psychiatry Asoc. (APA) was presented with the research on a disorder called "pyroluria" and how it causes ADHD and other mental disorders. But members of the APA were getting so much grant money from the drug manufacturers that they deliberately buried the research. Why? Because pyroluria PROVED that certain mental disorders are caused by a biochemical imbalance and therefore can only be cured with bio-chemicals, also known as vitamins and minerals. It is often referred to as mega-vitamin therapy. Pyroluria is easily detected with a urine test for about $72.00. The treatment is B-6, B-3, zinc and Vit. C You can read all about pyroluria in links to my other posts but, basically, it's a disorder caused by a defective adrenal gland. You know that adrenaline is produced by the adrenal gland. Well, in normal people the adrenaline is biochemically changed into another chemical called dihydroxyindole, which is a calming chemical. But, in some people the adrenaline changes into adrenochrome then to adrenolutin. If this happens, you have a BIG problem. If your body produces adrenolutin, it will produce a chemical called "kryptopyrrole" which, in a urine test, produces a mauve-colored spot. That's why it was originally named "The Mauve Spot" or "The Mauve Factor." Today, it is called "pyroluria" although the abbreviation for it is still "KP" because it used to be called "kryptopyrrole." Anyway, call LabCorp and ask the technician to look up in his catalog of tests, under "urine tests" to see if "pyroluria" is listed. It might be called "pyrroles in the urine." My local LabCorp has it listed both ways and I presume every LabCorp in the country has the same catalog. I'll post a separate message on pyroluria testing because this post is becoming too long.
pyroluria supplement formula in Joan Mathew Larson's brilliant
book, "Depression-Free Naturally." For the first time I am
remembering my dreams and a few things during the day. It's a
whole new world. Her book implicates a hemoglobin metabolic
problem but her cure is the same, basically -- B6 and zinc and
other supplements. Pyroluria runs in families but in my family it
varies from pretty mild to actual schizophrenia. Pyroluria gets
worse with age if untreated.
Is there a certain multi vitamin that offers them all in one, or do you need to take them all separate?
Jennifer
out how much of what vitamins are needed by weight
etc? Will the test show the Amount of deficiency? I
have been on the road to traeting my son ADHD
naturally for quite some time. VTAMINS HELP! But I
don't feel like we have quite hit on the right mix of
things to help him really feel calmer and focus.
[/QUOTE]
Here are some websites that you might find useful:
Here's a site with articles on the correlation between
biochemistry and ADD / behavior disorders. These
articles focus on alternative natural treatment
options.
http://www.hriptc.org/research_studies.html
I also found this website that discusses alternative
therapies for children with ADHD. There's a section
entitled 'Nutritional and Dietary Treatments for
ADHD'. If you can muddle through all the technical
research, you might be able to glean some useful
info.
http://www.healing-arts.org/children/
Here's another interesting website with articles and
research on ADD/ADHD and alternative therapies:
www.alternativementalhealth.com/articleindex.htm
Here's a website that explains pyroluria and the
connection to ADD:
www.diagnose-me.com/cond/C372380.html#H5
Here's a website for Wilson's thyroid syndrome
which has some of the same symptoms as ADD:
www.wilsonssyndrome.com
Also worth reading is The Mood Cure by Julia Ross
which gives you lots of information on biochemical
rebalancing through nutritional supplementation and
diet. It's also a great resource book and does all the
detective work in finding all the possible underlying
reasons your biochemistry could be off balance.
Check out Matt's post 'valuable info for anyone with
ADD/ADHD'.. he lists his pyroluria protocol, but as he
says it's best done with the help of a knowledgeable
professional who has experience and expertise in
this area and can determine correct dosage.
Hope this is helpful.
I am heading to the library this weekend! We have checkups scheduled ina couple weeks, if I can get all my info together and request the test!! I looked at what Matt wrote too. Has any one ever tried Be Calmed (we are) or Focus Factor? [QUOTE=etmccoy] I am heading to the library this
weekend! We have checkups scheduled ina couple
weeks, if I can get all my info together and request
the test!! I looked at what Matt wrote too. Has any one
ever tried Be Calmed (we are) or Focus
Factor?[/QUOTE]
In case you didn't get to this website, I've copied
some info that might be helpful.. this info can be
found on www.mentalhealthproject.com/azadhd.asp
What causes ADHD?
The reasons behind the ADHD disaster are not
clear, but potential causative factors include
smoking, heredity, drinking or drug abuse during
pregnancy, oxygen deprivation at birth, prenatal
trauma and environmental pollution.
Medical treatment for ADHD usually involves use of
the drug Ritalin, which is a habit-forming
amphetamine with many properties similar to
cocaine. However research has found that Ritalin is
ineffective in controlling the effects of ADHD – in fact
in some cases it can make symptoms worse.
What's more, Ritalin has a number of side-effects
including increased blood pressure, heart rate,
respiration and temperature, stomach pains, weight
loss, growth retardation, facial tics, muscle twitching,
euphoria, nervousness, irritability, agitation,
insomnia, psychotic episodes, violent behaviour,
paranoid delusions, hallucinations, bizarre
behaviours, heart arrhythmias and palpitations,
psychological dependence and even death.
The good news is that more often than not, children
with ADHD have one or more nutritional imbalance
that once identified and corrected can dramatically
improve their energy, focus, concentration and
behaviour.
How to improve ADHD Symptoms
* Correct Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies
The effect of vitamin and mineral supplements on
academic performance and children's behavioural
problems is well documented and although it
currently seems unlikely that ADHD is caused solely
by nutrient deficiencies, addressing such
deficiencies can significantly improve ADHD
symptoms. Deficiency of Magnesium for example
leads to excessive fidgeting, anxious restlessness,
coordination problems and learning difficulties. The
other key nutrients to watch out for are Zinc, Vitamin
C, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B6, iron and copper, calcium,
chromium and selenium. However, since we are all
biochemically unique it is advisable to contact a
trained nutritionist for advice on a specific
supplement programme for you
* Increase your essential fatty acid intake
Many children with ADHD are deficient in essential
fatty acids and have associated symptoms such as
excessive thirst, dry skin, eczema and asthma. In
addition to inadequate dietary intake, a deficiency in
essential fatty acids can occur if EFAS are either not
absorbed properly or not converted into
prostaglandins that help the brain communicate.
EFA intake can be increased by giving children more
oily fish (salmon, sardines, fresh tuna, mackerel)
and seeds such as flax, hemp, sunflower and
pumkin or their cold pressed oils. It may also be
necessary to find replacements for wheat, dairy and
foods rich in salicylates (prunes, raisins,
raspberries, almonds, apricots, canned cherries,
blackcurrants, oranges, strawberries, grapes,
tomato sauce, plums, cucumbers and Granny Smith
apples) since these can block the conversion of fatty
acids to prostaglandins. In addition it is important to
address any deficiencies in vitamins and minerals-
vitamins B3, B6 and C, plus the minerals Biotin, Zinc
and Magnesium are all needed for the enzymes that
power the conversion
* Eliminate chemical food additives and check other
potential allergens such as wheat, dairy, chocolate,
oranges and eggs
According to research, children with ADHD are seven
times more likely to have food allergies than other
children. Foods most likely to cause allergic
reactions include food colourings, flavourings,
synthetic additives, wheat, dairy products, corn,
yeast, soya, citrus, chocolate, peanuts, eggs and
foods containing salicylates. When allergy is
contributing to ADHD symptoms, there are often
associated issues such as nasal problems,
excessive mucus, ear infections, tonsillitis, digestive
problems, bad breath, eczema, asthma, headaches
and bed wetting. To test if food allergy is contributing
to your child's symptoms, eliminate any suspect
foods for two weeks and then observe carefully as
you introduce foods one by one. Alternatively you may
wish to consider a proper allergy test using the IgG
ELISA method (cost ranges between £150-£300
depending on the number of foods tested and the
chosen laboratory).
* Eliminate sugar
The role of sugar in ADHD is controversial and while
some studies show that hyperactive children eat
more sugar than other children, other research
suggests that sugar itself does not cause
hyperactivity and can even have a calming effect.
Interestingly, however, a study of 265 hyperactive
children found that more than three quarters had
abnormal glucose tolerance. It may well be then that
the problems experienced by ADHD sufferers are
caused by a combination of the form that sugar
comes in, the absence of a well-balanced diet and
abnormal glucose tolerance.
To improve glucose tolerance, remove all forms of
refined sugar and foods containing refined sugar
and replace them with wholefoods and complex
carbohydrates (brown rice and other
wholegrains,oats,lentils, beans, quinoa and
vegetables). It also helps to balance carbohydrates
with protein, (half as much protein as carbohydrates
at every meal and snack), by for example eating nuts
with fruit or fish with rice etc.
* Have a hair mineral analysis test to determine
whether heavy metal intoxification is contributing to
ADHD symptoms
The flip side of the detrimental effects of low levels of
essential nutrients on ADHD sufferers is that excess
levels of anti-nutrients can also induce symptoms.
One such anti-nutrient is lead which can cause
aggression, poor impulse control and short attention
span. Also important are high levels of copper, and
aluminium and studies have found links between
these toxic metals and hyperactivity symptoms. Many
toxic elements deplete the body of essential
nutrients such as Zinc and can therefore contribute
to nutritional deficiencies. A hair mineral analysis
test can be helpful in determining whether heavy
metal intoxication is contributing to ADHD
symptoms.
* Supplement DMAE
Some children with ADHD disturbances suffer from
'reward deficiency syndrome' characterised by a
constant need for stimulation. This is thought to
occur because they either don't produce enough of
the motivating neurotransmitter dopamine (from
which adrenalin and noradrenalin are made) or don't
respond strongly enough to their own dopamine. For
these children the stimulating brain nutrient DMAE is
highly effective.
Regarding the pyroluria treatment plan for children (by weight),
I would call Joan Mathews Larson's clinic (Health Recovery
Institute) in Minneapolis and ask them if they have a child's
formula. The adult formula in her book "Depression-Free
Naturally" is great. Plus in that book there's a "quiz" that you
can look at to see if it sounds like your child. Their number is 1-
800-554-9155. If you get the lab tests done at her clinic (in
Mpls.) you can schedule an appointment with her to go over the
results -- invaluable for me. She won't have appointments with
people whose labs are done elsewhere for quality control
reasons. Regarding doing this under supervision, the most
likely people to know something about these formulas and
orthomolecular medicine are naturopaths, and even a lot of
them don't know much.
New mom here, have a 12 year old, diagnosed w/ADHD since age 4. She has been taking medication since age 8 for treatments. On the subject of pyroluria, I see she has some of the symptoms I have read on other websites, ie: pale skin, easy to sunburn(will burn in under 15 minutes if not wearing sunscreen), explosive rages and white fleck under her nails. I was wondering, if any one else who has this problem or their child has this problem, has a strong desire to eat simple sugars and carbohydrates. My child is always eating white bread, tortillas, chips, candy, etc. If I try to limit her consumption, I will find she has hidden these foods away in her room and backpack to be able to eat them. I am at the point, I can no longer bring these foods in our home, because she will eat these and not be able to consume proper food. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Hornetmom
Lab corp does not do pyroluria testing (kryptopyrrole) for pyrrole disorders.
You stand a chance of getting an inferior result when you use a laboratory that then refers the specimen to another laboratory.
The integrity of the specimen is critical. I suggest you contact www.pyroluriatesting.com Direct Healthcare Laboratory 847-222-9546. They do the Kryptopyrrole testing for the Pfeiffer Treatment Center located in Warrenville Illinois and are considered the experts/gold standard in Kryptopyrrole testing.
I just had our children tested for Pyroluria at the "Bio Center Lab" in Wichita. They sent a complete pack to collect and freeze the urine and then send it back to them. It was $50 for the test. I might add, it was $50 well spent - one of my children tested in the severe range and we will be taking him to the Pfeiffer clinic for further testing. We were very happy with the Bio Center Lab - if interested, contact them at 316/684-7784 and they will mail you out one of their testing kits. They don't charge anything to send the kit out, they ask that you send your check when you send the specimens back to them - seemed to be a very well-organized, competent outfit.
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