I am a 39 year old sufferer of Attention Deficit Disorder. I was only diagnosed 10 years ago...it explained many of the problems I had in school. I am no doctor but I do know this: The doctor put me on 'Downers' (.25 to .50 dose valium) when I was 14 ...all that did was to get me depressed. A pile of different types of drugs to numerous to mention after that.
I have seen several students on Ritalin (at the high school I work in) and yes they calm down after they get high from it (it is a narcotic and there is a lawsuit against the company who manufactures it).
I witnessed my cousins child 5 years ago going berserk. He was in Grade 1, was in trouble all the time, and had not done well in school. I was at a family gathering during the summer and he had been fine just an hour befor. He was kicking and biting at his mother like a wild dog. My cousin and his mother told me that he 'gets like this sometimes'. I asked if they paid any attention to what he was eating (I eat only natural foods), and for lunch the boy had eaten a bag of Cheesies (artificial colour and flavour) and a large glass (or 2) of Coke.
I told them that if they monitored what he ate and gave him only natural foods they would notice a difference in just a week. As they were at the end of thier ropes, they decided to try. The next time I saw them, the mother through her arms around me and thanked me. The child was a changed boy...mannerism, attention, violent behaviour all were normal.
He passed grade 2 with A's and B's and has NEVER had a relapse.
Just as in my house, no artificial products are ever consumed and organic products are used as often as possible. It takes a little extra time at the grocery store but the results are worthwhile!
B

[This message has been edited by Babernethy (edited 01-05-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Babernethy (edited 01-11-2001).]

suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuure......gran ola cures everything, right? lol



[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 03-29-2001).]

Interesting posting...granola? You ought to check what a'stimulant' actually relates to. A stimulant is a narcotic. Additionally there is proof in the non-medicinal 'cure' as hundreds of people have been able to control most or all of thier symptoms by getting away from the 'junk' that is in unnatural processed food. I know of at least 20 people who have gone this route and ALL have had major success with thier ADD. Additionally it has been written up in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The 'feingold' diet theory was debunked 30 years ago! ADHD is a neurological disorder, NOT a food allergy!

Call your pharmacist, or look up narcotic. Narcotics are drugs derived from opium,such as morphene, codeine, and paragoric, NOT stimulants.


NARCOTIC DRUGS
General Monograph, CPhA
Anileridine
Butorphanol
Codeine
Diamorphine
Fentanyl
Hydrocodone
Hydromorphone
Levorphanol
Morphine
Nalbuphine
Oxycodone
Oxymorphone
Pentazocine
Pethidine (meperidine)
Propoxyphene

Funny...no stimulants are on that list...

Action And Clinical Pharmacology: The narcotic analgesics act primarily on the CNS. The perception of and emotional response to pain is modified when the narcotic analgesics bind with stereospecific receptors in the CNS. Five major groups of opioid receptors are known: mu,kappa, sigma, delta and epsilon. Narcotic analgesic activity occurs at the mu, kappa and sigma receptors. Opioid agonists such as morphine and others exert their activity mainly at the mu receptor. Mixed agonist-antagonists such as butorphanol, nalbuphine and pentazocine act primarily at the kappa receptors (thought to mediate analgesic effects) and sigma receptors (may produce subjective and psychotomimetic effects).

How do you like your crow cooked? Naturally, I assume.


[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 03-27-2001).]

I and all who are on natural diets feel great...I don't even know who Feingold is (hey I'm ignorant) nor do I understand half of what you wrote in your last posting. The fact IS I AM 100% better. I was diagnosed after years of testing. I live a normal life(except for 183 different allergies), have a wife and 2 kids, and am feeling great. I have been off the the prescription drugs for over 10 years, by the way, with not 1 major relapse. The onlt times I get 'weird' is if I accidently induce some 'unnatural food'.
Since you seem to be such an expert on NARCOTICS, answer me why ALL the students in my High School get HIGH when taking Ritalin?
Additionally check out the article in Natural Life Magazine (November 2,000) regarding the lawsuit against the manufacturers of Ritalin...which is indeed being called a NARCOTIC, because it shows all the deleterious effects of other narcotics...temporary elation and dependancy.
By the way, I rarely eat granola...too much coconut for me.
Do you work for the company that makes this drug?

[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 03-27-2001).]

Read an interview with a respected MD regarding non-drug treatments for ADD and ADHD:


[This message has been edited by kool_Mod (edited 05-18-2003).]

Thank you Plymouth and ********...very useful information.


For Fauty Logic: Just so you know I NEVER made mention of FOOD allergies regarding the CURE I have spoken of...I think you missunderstood that what I was saying was that NATURAL FOOD is better for you than chemically treated, artificially enhanced products which are lacking in what your body needs. See posting by ********...which is exactly what I first wrote about.

[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 03-29-2001).]

Babernathy- obviously, the root of your problem is food allergies, not adhd. ADHD is a neurological disorder caused by abnormalities in the frontal lobes of the brain. Changing one's diet won't change the brain structure. You said you were allergic to over 100 foods...now you're saying you're not. Make up your mind.

Perfect nutrition will improve overall health, but it won't cure ADHD

The only way to get stoned on ritalin is to crush the tablets and inhale them, or take an overdose. Theraputic doses enhance clarity of thought, and don't cloud it. Once again, narcotics refer to the class of drugs derived from (or synthesized) the opium poppy, and NO others! Ritalin and other stimulants are NOT narcotics!

********- Manna tech is in serious trouble for false advertising . Read all about it at

[This message has been edited by kool_Mod (edited 05-18-2003).]

Faulty...I stated I had '183 Allergies'...you said 'I stated I had over 100 food alergies'...that is not what I wrote. I do have 183 allergies (at last count), most are environmental (pollen, grass, wood dust etc.), and I have an allergy to ALL bean products, corn, onions and anything related to Bees (stings and honey). I have not eaten ANY of these products in over 13 years after being diagnosed with these food allergies. It was not until 1990 that I went on an organic all natural diet and off the drugs prescibed to me for so long. It took about a year before my head began to clear from the 'fog' of the drugs, but only a month for me to feel more focused, alert and able to concentrate. I got better still as the first year progressed and continue that way.
I have a comment regarding your negativity to natural foods (which I don't understand):
DDT was sprayed liberally on things and people in the 1950's. It was proven to be effective in killing all types of harmfull pests and of course not toxic to humans. Only 10 years later the product was totally banned for use in North America and PROVEN that yes it did effect humans. Agent Orange used in Viet Nam in the 60's was deemed non toxic and look how many people it killed. (Monsanto product...and you would not believe how many pies they have there fingers in)
You must look at the big picture. You believe that ADD can only be attributed to 'frontal lobe abnormalities' in the brain. This may be true....I even have frontal lobe abnormalities....I had EEG's for about 5 years, nasty business, 50 needle electrodes put into my head every 3 months.
It told the Doctors NOTHING and they dioagnosed a barrage of drugs for me, most of which did nothing except calm me down. I lived in a general 'fog' for about 15 years and could not hold down a job for very long because of the inability to FOCUS.. When it was suggested I start on Ritalin, I made a conscious decision to find out what was causing my problems. That's where I am now...with my original posting.
You may know a lot about the subject, or you may be swayed by what you know into thinking that your way is the only way. Most great inventions were discovered by accident. It was found that moldy oranges had something interesting in the mold...the discovery of Penicillan which as I 'm sure you know has cured many millions of people.

I've never said natural foods are bad, just that they won't cure ADHD.

I looked at Dr Mercola's webpage. He ain't no MD. No MD would make the false statement that ritalin is a narcotic. I'm going to phone him.

Originally posted by FaultyLogic:
I looked at Dr Mercola's webpage. He ain't no MD. No MD would make the false statement that ritalin is a narcotic.

Dr. Mercola is a fully licensed physician and surgeon.

Dr. Mercola does not state that ritalin is a narcotic.



[This message has been edited by plymouth (edited 01-10-2001).]

I totally agree!!! I have been through this for so long with my son who is currently in 5th grade. There is such a difference in him. The anger and frustration he had everyday, seemed to disappear. He smiles now and is soooooo much happier. We have also gone a bit further as to supplement him with different types of vitamins as well as seek a nutricianist's help that recommended keeping his proteins in a meal higher than his carbs. It helps so that his blood sugar stays at a steadier pace and doesn't peak and drop mid-morning for example, if he had just had a bowl of cereal or toast(yes, even natural cereal or homemade bread from a bread machine) (this blood sugar thing can happen to anyone, not just diabetics). So interesting!!! But it is working!!! NO MEDS FOR US!!!

That is great Mandy. There is so much disbelief in this 'so simple solution'. We NEED many items in our diet that we are not getting from food anymore. Natural foods go through the system better and you are able to metabolize more from them. People on 'junk food diets' are particularly at risk...but many people buy processed food for convenience without realizing the damage they are doing...especially to kids.
I also supplement with Natural Zinc, B and C and natural source C and multi for my kids.
My son is way advanced in his split 2/3 class...he reads better than the grade 5 kids. He is hyper also just like 'the old man' but is in control. He, like all kids, has a real problem with food variety....but he gets ONLY the sweets allowed by us, and he knows what they are. We buy our chocolate or candy from Health food stores or European importers. We allow the kids and myself to only eat 'candy' from Germany. The Germans have the highest food standard laws in the world...all natural within 1/10 of 1%. Canadian food standards, although tough are nowhere near that and American food standards are way behind.
My kids won't even eat, if offered, chocolate from Canada or the US as it is just to sweet and chemically flavoured.
Stick to the natural stuff and feel great!!!

I want to thank you for the information. Although I am still a bit confused, I feel I have a place to start. My daughter had brain surgery on her left frontal lobe. She now has symptoms of ADHD, but does not have the disorder (so I've been told). She has been on Ritalin and off it. The other day she asked me to go back on it because she is having trouble concentrating. I don't want her on the medication so am trying to find an alternative. You people have given me a place to start. I think I will start by just placing her on a multi-vitamin until I can learn some more. Thanks again

------------------
JustMe37

Justme37;

I suggest you find out what 'vitamins' are missing from your childs diet and then supplement. Although a 'multi vitamin' is better than nothing, it is just barely 'better than nothing'. In order for a vitamin to have the necessary daily allowance of vitamins, it would have to be huge. Most multies have a 'trace' amount of vitmains and minerals...not near enogh to give you what you need.
Shawn:
Well said...you are absolutly right...more people every day are discovering that MOST of our problems are diet/nutrition related. Change your diet, go natural and change your life!
Interesting to note that 'faulty logic' said he would call the 'noted Dr. Mercola'...I have not heard from faulty, or seen postings anywhere else by him for that matter.
B

I would really appreciate Mandy from NY telling us what kind of foods we can pack in cold lunches for our kids to take to school...or emailing me....Our son is the same age and getting him off meds would be great if I knew the foods.to start with.Thanks!

------------------

ckinusa:
Although you asked for a suggestion from Mandy...I'll let you in on what my kids take for lunch. If we eat it at dinner, they can have it for lunch! No prepackaged food, everything is made from scratch or bought pre made at the health food store. No deli meats like cold cuts or hot dogs etc. All our bred comes from a German bakery (sour dough) or is made in the bread maker...the same with buns.
I have an organic supplier of meat...the kids quite often take meat in a sandwich, or on the bone. Pasta is good, with natural, not processed cheese. Snack is always something that will give them nutrition...granola, fruit, vegetable, home made oatmeal cookies.
Basically, check all the labels and buy the natural things. Stay away from ALL artificial ingredients, flavours, and colours. No 'snackables' pre packaged lunches...absolutely ZERO nutrition!
Although it might seem a bit difficult at first, once you start checking you will do it automatically and you WILL feel better about what your are feeding your kids!
The results are worthwhile...amazingly enough your kids will actually start saying NO if offered something that is 'full of chemicals'. My 7 year old actually told the neighbour when offered a popsickle, 'No thank you, I had a snack today and I don't need more sugar'.
We also ask a lot of questions at the FEW restaurants we go to, and we NEVER eat the desserts that are offered. When visiting someones house we make them aware that we do have 'food restrictions'...we tell them when we are asked to go, and let them know that the kids and myself are unable to eat 'processed products'. This includes and pre packaged desserts or food. If it is not made from scratch, we simply don't eat it. It does take time, but the results are that it tastes better and is FAR better for you.

Mandy...what do you send your kids with. Lets compare notes. How much better is your child doing at school?

Good luck to all!

'For every ailment man will find, nature will provide the cure'.....Ben Franklin

It's really unfortunate that some people get there wisdom from web site's that talk garbage. Also with the act of this untrue
facts about stuff they have no true understanding about. I feel sorry for both:
those that go there to understand, and those that truly believe what their reading to be true.
It makes for uneducated people, that believe they are smarter and wiser, then those that live the truth with alternative life styles everyday.

One site worth not reading by those that don't know the truth about what's being said
is:


A prime example of what's been read at this site is viewed on this page by one person.

I take my hat off to Babernethy, plymouth, ********, mandy, justme37, and ckinusa for their wisdom and sharing the truth.

[This message has been edited by kool_Mod (edited 05-18-2003).]

Barewinds from Texas...your comments are appreciated. A simple solution to a mostly missdiagnosed problem is what this seems to be. I believe that 'Faulty' totally believes in what he writes...he seems to be well versed and even quite knowledgeable with regards to ADD and similar problems.
I also think that there are MANY varying degrees of this 'kind' of illness. Doctors make a judgement call when a kid is acting up and they tend to 'group' all of us into categories. I think that a natural diet would help at least 50% of the people with ADD symptoms, and that they would be able to 'control' themselves after that. In every case that I've seen people do it, MOST have been able to go completely OFF the meds, a few now take extremely small doses...(they do not watch thier diet as much as they should though). 1 person actually said it was 'too much of a hassle' to check labels! I shake my head at this type of mind set.
MY son, who shows very similar tendancies to mine, just got straight A's on his report card
in grade 2-3. He is 7 and is the youngest in the class. The teacher wants him tested for 'gifted'. He eats all natural food ONLY ...it does make a difference!
By the way, I turned 40 last week...and have now celebrated 11 years with no meds!
B

Hi Babernethy, I new here at this site, but not to ADHD. My son who is 6 has it. He was very very hyper until now. I stongly agree with you about diet and vitamins. My son is currently takeing amino acids,B6 and a multi vitamin. He is doing much better then he was last year. By no means is he perfect all the time but I can handle him much better. Last April we had him tested for ADHD and they put him on ritalin, my husband and I was some what uneasy with the fact that ritalin is a NARCOTIC. It really didn't do anything for him. It sure didn't calm him down. I love my son and I try whatever I have to to help him without med. Last week I ran out of his amino's so I was just giving him a multi-vit. His teacher said he was very active in class and disruptive. So yesterday I ran to the store to buy his amino acids and B6. Hope this helps. I'm always looking to better myself and him. I have not tryed the diet yet but maybe that next. How hard is it to follow? My son love to eat and he eats very well. He dosn't much like candy but give him a plate of beans and he'll mop it up. I'm afraid we won't be able to follow it. There are so many nature opions out there why not try them.I wish you the best of luck. Thanks, Angelwings

Anglewings:

In answer to your question about the natural diet...it is not hard to follow at all. You need patience and you need to check EVERYTHING> The good thing is that it gets easier after a few visits to the store as you become accustomed to what is 'natural' and what is not. It takes a little more time to cook as you CAN'T eat prepackaged food, unlesss it is natural. NO TV dinners or things like that. Get into the habit of reading ALL the labels, don't allow your son ANY sweets, dyes, artificial colours or flavours, and eat organic if you are able. If you really stick to it, you WILL notice a difference in about a week. You need to train your son to say NO to his friends also...this is the hardest part. I can actually tell if my son has shared a snack at school by how he acts on the way home....it is truly amazing, once you are aware of the signs, or lack thereof!
In order to 'set an example' you need to change your diet also...you can't eat something that your son can't...it is not fair to him and he will not get the message 'inside hi head'. The 4 of us eat the same foods....we have nothing in the house the kids can't have, except fruit wines of course, and I know they eat as healthy as I do. There are some rules though, as I am allergic to peanut butter and honey, and the kids love it.
I have to be carefull of cross contamination all the time! It actually works out well as they are able to see for themselves that some foods are 'off limits' even to me!
To start, cut out all the 'snack food' unless it is natural...and get the kids enjoying alternatives.
Good luck...it will get better and soon!
B

I go by the adage 'you are what you eat',
actually I LIVE (well) by it!
Here are just a few additives to avoid which I have seen or had a reaction to:
Sodium phosphate (Basically salted soap) used as preservative
Sodium nitrite (not nitrate) also used to preserve, also an ingredient in toilet bowl cleaner!
Carageenan made from seaweed to congeal meat by-products with water
MSG...a natural product made from sugar beets used as a preservative and flavour enhancer. Causes the taste buds to become supersensitive.
Hydrolyzed plant protein can be a form of MSG (same purpose as above)
Artficial colours, including titanium dioxide (used in PAINT!)
Artificial flavours made from a variety of chemicals (companies don't have to list which ones!)
The above ingredients are found in inexpensive candies, prepackaged lunch meats, bacon and snack foods (cheesies)...check it out!
See the book 'Additive Alert!'
B

Howdy! I am new...on this site...was posting on a parent board for children with major behavioral problems. My son is five and at three was threatening to kill me by cutting my neck off and burning down the house. He would attack me, biting, scratching, kicking, headbutting and on and on and would have to be restrained (his thearpist taught me how) Please excuse my misspelled words as I have dysxliea which I can't spell that either but I am not stupid...thanks. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Anyway this parent board had a few smart people on it that begged me to get Nate in for allergy testing and get Dr. Rapp's book, "Is this your child?" and I saw my son in there. He was tested and has 18 airborne allergies, is allergic to yeast, soy, eggs and milk. He is also sentive to dyes and chemicals in foods, and medication. He will become voilent and aggressive after eating anything with yeast in it...soy will affect his heart rate. Eggs make him sleepy and milk hurts his stomach.

He has been dx with ADHD, ODD and distrubtive disorder....I don't believe he has a brain disorder at all. I cook foods fresh and avoid the packaged, frozen processed foods that are loaded with dyes, chemicals and pretivites (?) and he is so much calmer. I think if a head shrink looked at him now he could not dx Nate with any of the above.

Also not reling on any website but the book, "Ritalin is not the answer, a drug free, practiacl program for children diagnosed with ADD or ADHD." by David B. Stein, Ph.D. He states: "Many articles stae that Ritalin is a relatively mild amphetamine. However, please recall that in the Federal Government Control Act of 1988, Ritalin is classified in Schedule II, the same category as concaine, opium, and morphine. This indicates that it has a high potential rish for abuse and addiction.

Continueing to quote here: Side effects:Short term side effects of amphetamines, including methylphenidate (Ritalin), in children include insomnia, tearfulness, bebound irritability, toxic psychosis, personality changes, nervousness, skin rash, fever, nausea, dizziness, headaches, heart palpitations, dyskinesia (strange tongue and face movements), drowsiness, blood pressure changes, cardiac arrhythmia, angina and abdominal pains."

On the long term side effects he talks about how Ritalin affects the child's growth and weight gains...and how so few studies on long term side effects have even been done.

To make a long story short here it really doesn't matter to me, a mom what Ritalin is called or what type of drug it is. All I know is my son had almost all the above side affects listed, his heart pounding so hard in his chest I could see it. The first hour on it he could literally not stop talking. Then the next hour he wouldn't or couldn't stop and he would just cry or glare angyily at me.

Once it worn off for the day he was so hyper he was awful..he couldn't get to sleep until midnight. This all happened over a holiday weekend so I was unable to call the dr...I thought maybe once he got used to it he would be alright..he continued to get worse so by the third or fourth day, I can't remember now I had cut the pills in half....didn't matter...oh and he also got a rash from it too.

The dr took him off of it right away...of course that day I hadn't even given him a pill I knew something was terribly wrong.

Nate contiues to get better each day as long as he doesn't eat something he is allergic too. That is why I am here...I think he has developed a new allergy but I am having trouble tracking it down. Plus having an allergic child is hard enough to deal with.

There are so many polluatants in our world that I think our food, water and air is affecting our children. Studies are showing a huge increase in children dx with autisum, ADD, ADHD, LD, ODD and on and on...something is wrong and I want to find out what it is so I can help my child.

Did anyone read the new study out by CDC about finally admitting the pollution and other posions in our enviroment are directly affecting people including developing children's minds?

------------------
Nate, five years old, 18 airborne allergies, food allergies, yeast, soy, eggs and milk. Also recates to red dye 40 and many meds. DX with ADHD, Sensory intregration disorder, autoriy processing disorder and the list goes on.
Me, the mom, 40yrs old...an older mom but no wiser. EX..sitting in jail where he belongs

[This message has been edited by moonglow (edited 03-27-2001).]

More fuel for the 'raging' fire, Moonglow. I'm happy to hear 'natural' has worked for you also! I really believe it will work for most if not all....but you MUST be stringent and not ANY 'bad food'.

Additionally, did anyone see the 'chemical company expose' on PBS, Monday night? Some of the biggest chemical companies in the world have been implicated in one of the biggest and most corrupt 'coverups' in history. Dow, Union Carbide. Conico, Shell and many others have known since the 1950's that PVC plastics were hurting workers, children and the environment...and they did NOTHING but cover it up. PVC is one of the many industrial chemicals implicated in 'hyperactivity' in children. It is in water lines, some plastic wraps, hospital drip bags, some containers, and MANY childrens TOYS!
B

Moonglow,
Boy!! could we talk!!! I have avery similar situation with my son. He is allergic to all you mentioned your son was allergic to, but much more. Solution??? I suggest you take him to a GI doctor and ask them to test him for leaky gut syndrome. My sons results came back yesterday and he has a definate leaky gut. We will follow up with GI shortly and see what he is going to do but as per our last visit he said he would biopsy his intaestine to find out the cause. I believe my son had a reaction to his vaccines causing the intestinal damage. In many cases this can be reversed. This is what I believe the secreten injections are looking so promising for. Bottom line is all undigested hiogh protein particles are falling into the blood stream this is causing an immune response due to the foreign body in blood as well as wheat causing problems when it or any other high protein particles attach to neuro transmitters, and are carried to the brain to cause major symptoms of behavior and psychological issues. Believe me we can avoid the foods but we have to correct the problem and heal the intestine, so our kids can have a normal life. I will write again with the name of the test, later. I'm in a rush right now. There is hope!!! Don't listen to any discouragement, but just keep pressing on for a cure. I am and I am finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. I have to take my son off all his medicine and the diet next week so that he can be3 properly diagnosed. He is being evaluated for autism.

Babernethy,
I've been reading your postings and all the replies and I'm very interested in how you made the switch to all natural foods. My husband was recently dx'd with ADD. I had suspected for years that he was dealing with it, and now we know for sure. The problem is, he was immediately put on Zoloft which messed up his sleeping habits. The drugs calmed him down, but without sleep he was crankier than ever. I would love to change our family's diet, but I don't know how to do it on a very strict budget. We are a military family living on an income below the poverty line. Any suggestions? I was a vegan myself for several years, but my husband refuses to give up meat. The other point of argument between us is his incredible consumption of Pepsi. He demands two 24 packs every two weeks, and buys 24oz bottles every few days for extras. He also uses Skoal dip. I don't know what to do with him sometimes. I would appreciate any feedback you can give me. Thanks.

I am a mother of two children, one 17 and one 9. The oldest was diagnosed with ADHD/LD when he was in the first grade. The school decided to hold him back in first grade because he was not absorbing what he needed to go to the 2nd. I decided to put him in a private school, agreed to put him on the medicine (ritalin),as much as I am and was against medicine. He did excellent in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades. I however do not give the medicine credit, for he was fed a fresh lunch everyday at this private school and was given alot of individual teaching. They of course only had 15 students in each classroom. And they had some type of fruit for snacks. This private school only went to the 3rd grade and I was left with no choice but to put him back in the public school. He started doing worse in school, I had meetings with the councelors and my son was put in an IEP(Individual Education Program) aka special ed. He went thru the next years with alot of trouble and eventually after the ninth grade, stated he did not want to go back to school. He went to work and has worked up to 40 hours a week. His desire is to go into the army, but he needs a GED and some government classes before he can go. Now my 9 year old was just diagnosed with ADD. She eats ALOT of dairy products. Basically, the moral to my story is, I have alot of allergies also(dairy products being one, gluten, yeasts, dyes, preservatives, etc). My diet has been restricted. I have however feed my children what they wanted to eat. I wish I had restricted their diet like mine. My oldest son has gone thru alot of unneccesary grief. It took my 2nd child being diagnosed to make me have a revelation. It sums up to you are what you eat, if you consume chemicals and glues and dyes and preservatives & hormones, your body is going to have problems with this. I personaly think the manufacturers should put in laman terms what they are putting in the foods we eat. And I thank you all for giving me more "food for thought".

Ginger dragon:

Apologies for taking so long to respond...the union that I am affiliated with struck the board of education 4 weeks ago, and I've just returned back to work.
In answer to your question about foods.... I found it interesting and fulfilling as well as healthier to start checking labels and really learning about the foods we eat. There are so many additives in foods today that not even doctors can tell you what they are. I have sent queries to food companies like Campbells and ED Smith regardiing additives...it is amazing some of the schlock that they will tell you. 'There is no scientific evidence that anyone has allergic reations to MSG, for instance. Campbells sent a message like this to me 15 years ago...I used to eat Campbells mushroom soup on pork chops. They changed the ingredients and lost a customer.
As the lady above said, we are what we eat....eating good wholesome foods, not those claiming to be wholesome like 'Wonder Bread', i s better for you, tastes better, and gives your health a boost! (check the ingredients in Wonder)...bread is supposed to have 5!!!!
ingredients. Sad too, that so many of the chemically infected products are aimed at our children, snack foods, lunch meats, pop, candy, flavoured juices and many more. My kids know what the limits are and now even ask what is in the products given to them. When you sit down and explain it in kids terms, its' hard, but they do get it. Same for an adult...if you want better health and to keep yourself in control, STRICT regulation is the KEY!
Good luck!

Dear Barbenethy. What you're saying sounds great. I'm working on the theory that ADD ADHD are being caused by toxic elements being added to food. Do you know which junk foods resulted in relapse.

best regards,
michael

[This message has been edited by kool_Mod (edited 05-18-2003).]

Barbenethy,

I agree that a natural diet can help some people, but it won't help everyone. ADD is a neurological disorder. Some foods and certain environments can aggrivate it. My husband and I both have ADD. He was on Ritalin as a child, but what I believe helped him the most was the strict structure of the military. I, on the other hand, have found Wellbutrin to be quite helpful. You suggested that cutting down on carbohydrates will help. That did not work for me. It only made my energy level drop like a stone.

I believe that for many people with ADD several factors need to be considered. Food is definitely one factor. The others are environment and individual reactions those and medication. A structured environment can do wonders for someone with ADD. Learning how someone with ADD thinks and working with it is a good idea as well. Don't completely discount medications. They may not have worked for you, but they may work for others.

You know, high blood insulin levels caused by a diet high in sugars and other refined carbohydrates such as white flour (so common today, especially among kids and teens with all of the soft drinks and snacks consumed) might be a driving force behind some of these cases of ADD / ADHD. The hormone insulin is very powerful and influences far more activities in the body besides keeping bloodsugar levels in check. It effects everything from mood to blood pressure to the production of blood lipids.

Here is another thought along those same lines. Pediatric epileptics are often successfully treated with a ketogenic diet, especially if they don’t respond well to drugs or can’t tolerate the side effects. Ketogenic diets were popular treatments about 60 years ago before drugs to treat this disorder became so prevalent, but there is a resurgence in the use of ketogenic diets today (John’s Hopkins and many other university hospitals have treatment centers specializing in this). What is a ketongenic diet? It is basically a very low carbohydrate, moderate to low protein, and relatively high fat diet. It forces the body to burn fat as it’s primary fuel source instead of glucose and it produces ketones as byproducts from the metabolized fat. What does the brain typically use for fuel (at least by today’s diet standards, sometimes referred to as SAD for standard American diet)? Glucose or bloodsugar. What else can the brain use for fuel? Ketones. By changing the brain’s fuel source from sugar to ketones, they are able to significantly alter how the brain functions – for the better. Just something to consider.

Alan

I believe that high bloodsuger levels can cause problems, but it doesn't cause ADD. When I tried a low carb diet, I had no energy which made me even less attentive. In my case, a moderate to high carb diet is necessary. My metabolism is too high for any thing else. When I'm not exercising, my carbs have to be cut to a moderate level; but when I'm on a regular exercise schedule, I burn so many calories that I end up craving high carb foods (and I don't mean candy, cokes, cookies, etc.) because my body requires them. It took me forever to convince my mom of that. Right now, I weight 150 lbs. at 5'7" tall. I was at my best weight in high school at 125 lbs. It took me 9 years to gain 25 lbs. The only reason I gain that much was because I wasn't exercising and I didn't cut my carbs accordingly.

I've had ADD all my life, though I didn't realize it until a few years ago. As far as I know I inherited it (it tends to run in families). According to all the information I read (some credible, some not), ADD is a neurobiological disorder that, as far as they know, was caused by a genetic glitch. I have yet to read a book or study that says otherwise. One thing is for sure, whatever treatment works is the one to stick with. Everyone is different, so each has/needs a different treatment, be that natural diets, medications, structured environments, exercise, or just a well-balanced diet. Just because a treatment works for you, doesn't mean it works for everyone.

Ok. I'll get off my soapbox. Just to let you know, though, the reason I am soo adament about this is because my husband, nephew and I are a ADD/ADHD and my mom is a special education counselor who works with this kind of stuff everyday (and has for 15+ years). If that isn't enough experience to know what's what with ADD, then I don't know what is.

Hi ET
I can agree with many of your points...my point from the start is to start your regimen to combat this illness from the inside. The cleansing of the body and natural foods is a great place to start....in every case I have witnessed, dramatic results have been attained by a complete diet change with necessary supplements. You mentioned that several people in your family suffer from it...I can't say the same as I'm adopted BUT if everyone in your family was eating what was necessary for your body, you'd find that you could cut back or cut out the meds. It is simple and remarkable, and it works. I can't guarantee perfect results with everyone....I can guarantee that you will be enlightened if you try it!
Keep in mind what doctors are for...treating illness. They are not in the business of making the illness go away. That is for scientists. The doctor fixes what ails you...he does not necessarily cure the problem is what I'm trying to say. Drugs are a necessary fact of life for many illnesses, but in many cases they are not needed for this one. There is simply too much evidence against the use of RITALIN for example. Doctors see a hyper kid and say 'oh another Ritalin case'. They don't check the childs eating patterns or thier intake. The manufacturers of RITALIN are embroiled in a huge lawsuit in the states...check it out.
Starting with a diet change is the first thing a parent or adult should do. If they go on a natural diet for a month and it does not help, what's the big deal? Go on the meds. If on the other hand it makes a difference, it is a big deal.
The meds will not be needed in many cases, possibly including yours. You can't discount the fact that a better diet will indeed lessen or eliminate your symptoms until you try it.
Many people reponded to this posting and said they can't be bothered monitoring thier diets...It blows me away what some people put in thier bodies.....I cringe when I see people eating 'garbage'. Many people have this idea that it will take too much time...if you have had this problem for years, what is another month...I mean really?
Anyway, I know it helps, a lot. It is not a cure, as I have said before...it is a great place to start.
B
Edited for spelling...fingers are too fast!

[This message has been edited by Babernethy (edited 05-29-2001).]

Babernathy, I agree totally with you. Now, let's get down to business, because if I don't get help soon, I may lose it. I have 4 sons. All have add odd and rage. TheY are on Ritalin, adderall, and clonidine. I WANT THEM OFF MEDS NOW!!!!!!!!!! please, please email me and tell me what to feed them and supplement them with. I have no experience in this area. Our eating habbits are horrible. Please, I am desperate for your reply. If you are thinking I am mental, you are right. I am beaten down, and tired. I am willing to do what ever you tell me, and my doc agrees. Please email me for i fear i cannot find this site again. I need to have examples of what to feed them, and what to not feed them. and supplements as well. I know you are probably very busy, but please, please, help me.... thank you so much.. shaianne...... shaiannedawn1@aol.com

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Shaianne

My son who is 9 1/2 has been taking ritalin for 2 years. i have seen an exceptional turnabout in his schoolwork since he started on ritalin. his grades went from almost failing, to honor roll. As wonderful as this sounds, the side effects are troublesome. Wile taking ritalin his appetite is almost non-existent, he tends to be overly focused sometimes, he is underweight but not malnourished, and has recently started to develop a nervous tic. I believe that there are other answers out there such as all natural diets and getting the correct amount of vitamins. but i also believe in a middle ground. i am relatively ignorant in the long term effects of ritalin and i worry alotabout them but i know that before the ritalin, his teachers wanted to assign him to a special education class. how do i find out what,if any vitamins he is deficient in and how long should i give him to look for results after taking him off ritalin?

Nymitch 325:

First off, I've been on vacation in Europe...sorry for not getting back to you sonner.

I would suggest the natural diet immediately, without going off the meds your child now depends on to stay focused. You should take a list of his dietary intake to a nutritionalist...this will give you an indication of what is lacking in his diet. I would suggest a child supplement of Zinc, B Complex and C. Ask at a health food store what is proper for a child of his age and size! Get him off the unnatural junk, and you will see a difference very soon. Lessen the amount of Ritalin...kids do become quite attached to it (hooked is a better word). Lessen the dosage every week while increasing his food and vitamin intake.
As for your comment about the long term effects of Ritalin, punch Ritalin into your search engine for an eye opening experience. There is a pile of evidence from health professionals about this drug...the manufacturer is still facing a billion dollar lawsuit by the way.
Good luck!

In 1999, Darin Dougherty, MD, and colleagues at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University Medical School reported that people with ADHD have many more dopamine transporters than those without the condition (Lancet. 1999;354:2132-2133). I do not doubt that diet can improve quality of life in general, but it cannot change brain structure by reducing the number of dopamine transmitters. Medical research is far more reliable than anecdotal evidence from people you do not know.

Cryan 4
I have no doubt that many thousands of studies have been done regarding ADD/ADHD....I also have no doubt that some of them are accurate...including the one you speak of. NOT ONCE though have I said I have a cure for ADD/ADHD ...I have said from the start 'It can be helped NATURALLY'. I know from personal experience and from exposure to many children with the affliction that it can be controlled in many cases with a significant diet change. If you studied food as much as I have you would realize also that the food groups have changed dramatically over the last 30 years or so, all in the name of progress. We simply aren't getting the nutrition we are supposed to from the many food groups. Add in the toxic effects of pesticides, hormones, pollutants in the environment...it all spells disaster.
The effects on children are just beginning to be understood. One example of this is kids reaching puberty at 8 years of age...this is not normal.
I have seen parents drug up thier kids with Ritalin...yes it will calm them down but is just a MASK for the problems. A holistic approach is to first determine what is CAUSING the problem in each indidvidual...and then make changes to correct the problem. The natural approach will HELP in most cases. A cure is better than a cover up in all cases, but as yet that 'cure' has not been found.
This problem is a very complex issue with many seeing the natural approach as too simple and therefore relying on 'drugging kids into submission'. This is NOT an answer. My doctor (GP) will NOT even prescribe Ritalin. He has seen too many side effects, just as I have, working in the Educational field.
As I said before, a natural diet will help...it may even stop sytmptoms altogether in some cases (like the ones I have mentioned, including myself). If nothing else, the person will feel better, and will probably need to rely on drugs far less.
B

My 7 yr old son was diagnosed with ADHD in August 1998. He was having out of control rages that lasted 1 - 2 hours long, he was hitting kids, scratching, spitting, etc. He was of course put on Ritalin and an antidepressant. He was only 4 then so I was very leary of the side effects of any meds and the fact that most of them are not tested - much less approved - for kids under 18. The meds only made him dopey and did nothing for his behavior problems. I started doing research on the Internet about meds and what other parents were saying helped. After a couple of months of research I tried diet changes and started cooking from scratch and eliminated artificial dyes, flavors, and preservatives. No Kool-Aid, Jello, and 99% of candy. I limit sodas, juices (most are full of sugar and artifical ingredients), and snack food. He gets fruits and raw veggies as snacks most of the time.
I also started adding essential fatty acids to his diet. The tantrums were eliminated in two weeks. After reading more about essential fatty acids, I realized he had the symptoms of an essential fatty acids deficiency - dry itchy skin, vision problems (he had to get glasses), dyslexia, and behavior problems. An excellent book on EFAs is "The LCP Solution" by Jacqueline Stordy and Malcolm Nicholl. His dyslexia is gone and he no longer needs glasses. I also started him on supplements, ones with no artificial dyes or preservatives or sugars. He takes a variety of supplements each day along with the Efalex (essential fatty acids).

Does he still take meds? He takes 3/4 of a 5 mg Ritalin AM during the school year. Has the supplements and diet changes "cured" his ADHD? Of course not. Does he still have attention problems and hyperactivity? Sure, but what he eats and drinks can make these things worse. But he is making A's in school, and we have a semi-normal child instead of an out of control one. Some good books on diet changes and supplements are "The ADD Nutrition Solution" by Marcia Zimmerman and "Special Diets for Special Kids" by Lisa Lewis. drrapp.com is a good site as is foodallergy.org and feingold.org.

And Feingold has not been proven wrong. Current studies show that diet changes do help a number of kids but not all. Studies can prove anything depending on how they are structured and how the results are interpreted. Plus you have to watch who is funding the study; drug companies sponsor a lot of these studies and their $$ influence the results.

And Quackwatch is run by a doctor who is worried about losing his patient income. How unbiased is that??

Do the research like I have by reading the medical journals online (DocGuide is good) or reading the actual studies yourself (Pubmed and others). If your child has red ears, allergy "shiners", and upsets, behavior problems, etc. then probably something he/she is ingesting can be causing the problem. Whatever your child craves constantly - eliminate it! For Kyle it was dairy products - yogurt, cheese, and ice cream. He can eat one yogurt and an hour later is bouncing off the walls or crying uncontrollably. Limiting the quantity and frequency is the key, along with vigilant observation of your child. It takes time to figure out the cause but it can help your child immensely if you take the time.

Other things you can do is allergy tests, a fasting glucose test, and a thyroid test - all of these problems are often misdiagnosed as ADHD. You want to eliminate possible causes of your child's problems and then see what areas you need to concentrate on.



[This message has been edited by moderator3 (edited 10-01-2001).]

Well said...basically what I have been saying all along. I found another excellent article on ADD saying much the same thing, and a book on the 'natural end' of the subject also. I just passed on the magazine yesterday to my aunt, but will get the title on this board ASAP.
B

Hi-

I would like to stress again that I believe a quality diet is essential to good overall health. But I still respectfully disagree that it can "cure" true ADD. The anecdotes I have read here and on other boards suggest that the children most helped by diet have health issues INDEPENDENT of ADD. When a child eats a certain food and has a reaction an hour later he has a FOOD ALLERGY, and may or may not have ADD. Anyone would agree that diet modification is essential in these cases. Just as kids who have asthma-like attacks when they eat peanuts should avoid nuts. Isn't that common sense? If Ritalin doesn't seem to work for your child, but limiting sugar does, your child has an issue with SUGAR and probably not ADD! I am all for controlling our kids' diets, and do not disagree that kids' diets today are for the most part total junk. And this undoubtedly has an effect on OVERALL health. Food allergies and deficiencies should be treated appropriately, and SHOULD NOT BE CONFUSED WITH ADD. I feel that the medication vs. diet issue is really a correct diagnosis vs. incorrect diagnosis issue. I do not doubt that many kids without true ADD are on Ritalin. And drug-free approaches should be our first-line treatments in order to determine whether another condition with symptoms similar to ADD is present. However, I just think it is dangerous to suggest to desperate parents that a mental disorder can be treated with diet. Medical intervention is absolutely necessary. Moreover, I would be EXTREMELY wary of ANY doctor who "will NEVER prescribe Ritalin." Generalizing in this way is just as bad as saying you support a doctor who "ALWAYS prescribes Ritalin." Medication is NOT something that should be treated in such a categorical way, without individual consideration. As stated by another poster, studies can be biased to prove anything, including studies on the dangers of ADD medications in true ADD. Any doctor who makes decisions about unique human beings on an "across-the-board" basis should not be in medicine. Unfortunately, medicine is NOT an exact science, and much of it is trial and error. WHATEVER you find that works for you and your child should be the treatment of choice. Let's not allow people whose sugar-allergic children benefitted from a strict diet inflict a guilty conscience on those parents whose children suffer a serious neurological disorder. In these cases, medication can be of enormous benefit. I regret that I wasted a substantial amount of academic potential and precious time struggling through my childhood and early adulthood because my mother was swayed by people who didn't "believe in drugs." Although I am certainly thrilled with my life (just being alive is a gift, particularly in this time of tragedy and loss of life...) but I sincerely believe that I would have had a much happier childhood had my disorder been treated with the same diligence as a broken arm or a childhood cancer had. Medicine is NOT evil. Abuse of it is.

Thanks- Chris

Wow - I just re-read my own post, and although I feel strongly about the points I was trying to make, I want to apologize for the rambling! I did not take my Ritalin today! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wink.gif

-Chris

Babynathy,
I think you might be getting getting high confused with calming down. Just becuase you maybe calm down from taking it doesn't mean your getting high. If you take a bath at night and it calms you down and you relax does that make it a narcotic. I might not be the most intelligent person on the board but I would guess to say it isn't. You might also be including kids in your school that are not add or adhd and taking the meds for it. ADD and ADHD are definitly misdiagnosed all to often. I have to say that I took your posting as an insult, although I don't think you ment to be insulting. I am on concerta which is classified by law (or treated in terms of being regulated as a narcotic but it isn't one. I also am a very healthy "eater". I do see the difference when I consume sugar or highly processed foods. But it doesn't eliminate the original problem of not being able to focus, or sometimes in my case completly hyperfocus on something. I just think the balance of meds and a good diet make sense, not just one or the other.

What I see as being a major problem in this time for children especially is the misdiagnosis of ADD or ADHD yes I believe that many children have it but are drugs the answer if so many children have this could there be a deeper reason for this? If all these children arent eating correctly and the kids are acting out to sugers and bad foods then the parents see this behavior they thing something is up and a doctor slapps them with a prescription. Is this the best thing to do? My little brother has ADHD and he is on meds for it it has really helped him in school but when he isnt on them he is out of control. Why should a child have to go through this daily dose to have it wear off and them be even worse after? I think a sensible diet is a key to many problems another this is exercise which is no secret. To many chilren watch too much tv dont exercise and eat junk food in large quantities. So there is testing to get diagnosed but is it really ADD that is the problem or the teaching methods in school and lack of health in children?

Very good Helen1980...you have come to the same conclusion as I have...there are so many different 'levels' of ADD. I think still, that MANY of these people could totally change thier lives and those of thier children if they really looked at the food that they ate and changed thier eating habits. No fast food, no sugars, no chemicals, no additives!
Many dissagree...one person above says I have insulted him! He has not seen the truth. I have yet to see 1 single child who did not 'change for the better' by going on an all natural diet. Once again I HAVE NEVER said this is a cure. It is a small step in the right direction! ADD CAN be helped NATURALLY!

Interesting site. My first time here. Veteran is on the money! Adult ADD "sufferer" with 4 children labeled ADD/ADHD! Our house is hilarious ( you have to laugh or you'll cry).Worthy of researching...tartrazine. It is a chemical allowed in virtually any thing you ingest. Go to Google as a search engine and type in tartrazine. A chemical okay by gov't in virtually anything a manufacturer dreams of placing it in. Some mineral supplements and vitamins contain tartrazine, a health food store will know exactly what is in what. I recommend that you not buy from a regular drug store unless you are assured there is no tartrazine. If the body's ability to absorb minerals and nutrients that you are supplementing in vain. My eldest son has a leaky gut that we are in the process of restoring to normal and has many deficiency's that contribute to his behavioral/you know the deal "problems".