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DISORDERS
(Their description, characteristics or symptoms,
causes, and complementary or alternative treatments)
Disorder: ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER (ADD) / HYPERACTIVITY
Description:
Hyperactivity, medically termed attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), is a disorder of certain mechanisms in the central nervous system. It primarily affects children and causes a variety of learning and behavior problems.Symptoms: Hyperactivity may be characterized by one or a combination of the following symptoms:
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Incidence: Although hyperactivity is primarily a problem of childhood, adults can be affected too. Diagnosing hyperactivity is complicated and often misunderstood. A child who is inattentive, overly talkative, impulsive, excessively irritable and hyperactive for his or her age is labeled as having ADD.
Causes: Factors linked to hyperactivity heredity, an unstable home life, allergies, food additives, excessive sugar ingestion, a low protein diet, heavy metal toxicity, smoking during pregnancy, or even the need for glasses. Although the topic has been hotly debated for decades, studies have definitively shown that food additives play a major role in hyperactivity.
Treatments: A nurturing, positive environment in which they get a lot of attention and very little criticism can positively affect very active, nervous children. Also removing sugar and caffeine from the diet, use of calming herbs, and the nutrients and recommendations listed below may prove helpful.
The dosages recommended here are for adults. For children between ages 12 and 17, reduce the dosage to three-quarters of the recommended amount. For children between 6 and 12, use one-half of the recommended dose, and for children under the age of six, one-quarter of the recommended dose.
Nutrients:
Supplement Dosage Comments
|
Calcium and Magnesium |
As directed on label, at bedtime |
Has a calming effect. |
|
Vitamin B complex
Plus extra Vitamin B3 (niacin) And Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) |
50 mg. 3 times daily.
100mg. daily. Do not exceed a total of 300 mg. daily from all supplements. 50 mg. daily. |
Needed for correct brain function and digestion. Also enhances gland function. Caution: Do not take niacin if you have a liver disorder, gout, or high blood pressure. Important for proper brain function. |
|
Brewer’s yeast |
Start with l/4 tsp. daily and slowly increase the dose to the dose recommended on the label. |
A natural source of the B vitamins. |
|
Multivitamin and mineral complex |
As directed on the label. |
High amounts of all nutrients are needed. |
|
Vitamin C |
1000 mg. 3 times daily. |
An anti-stress vitamin. |
Herbs:
 | Valerian root extract has been used for this disorder with dramatic results
and no side effects. Mix the extract in juice (as directed on the product
label according to age) and drink the mixture two or three times a day. | Other herbs that may be beneficial for hyperactivity include catnip,
chamomile, hops, lobelia, passionflower, skullcap, thyme, and wood betony. Caution:
Do not use chamomile or lobelia on an ongoing basis. Avoid chamomile
completely if you are allergic to ragweed. | |
Recommendations:
| Include in the diet all fruits and vegetables, plus breads, cereals and
crackers that contain only rice and oats.
| Use an elimination diet to identify foods that may be causing or aggravating
symptoms. (See Allergies in this section.) | |
Eliminate the following:
| Carbonated beverages, which contain large amounts of phosphates. Phosphate additives may be responsible for hyperkineses (exaggerated muscle activity). Meat and fat are also high in phosphorus. |
| Sodas which contain caffeine. |
| All forms of sugar and any products that contain it. |
| All foods that contain artificial colors, flavorings, or preservatives; processed and manufactured foods; and foods that contain salicylates. |
| Apple cider vinegar, bacon, butter, candy, catsup, chocolate, colored cheeses, chili sauce, corn, ham, hot dogs, luncheon meat, margarine, meat loaf, milk, mustard, pork, salami, salt, soft drinks, soy sauce, sausage, tea and wheat. |
| Antacid tablets, cough drops, throat lozenges. |
| Perfume. |
| Commercial toothpaste; use a natural toothpaste from a health food store instead. |
Considerations:
| A hair analysis to rule out heavy metal intoxication is important. Lead and
copper have both been linked to behavioral problems.
| A strong link has been established between learning disabilities and
juvenile crime.
| Researchers who performed glucose tolerance tests on 261 hyperactive
children found that 74 percent displayed abnormal glucose tolerance curves,
suggesting a connection between hyperactive behavior and sugar consumption.
| Studies indicate that administration of gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA)
decreases hyperactivity, as well as tendencies toward violence, epilepsy,
mental retardation and learning disabilities.
| Ask your health care provider to help you find a professional who
specializes in treating people with attention deficit disorders. | |
Vitamin For Life Recommended Regimen and cost:
|
Product No 59618- |
Description |
Comments |
Cost |
|
112-17 |
Calcium Oyscal 500 mg. with D Tablets |
As directed on label |
$5.75/120 |
|
232-15 |
Magnesium Caps. 200 mg. |
As directed on label |
$4.95/100 |
|
926-15 |
Niacinamide Tabs. 100 mg. |
1 tablet daily |
$2.95/100 |
|
836-15 |
B6 50 mg. Tablets |
1 tablet daily |
$3.35/100 |
|
900-15 |
Brewer’s Yeast Tablets |
As directed on label |
$2.75/100 |
|
982-15 |
One A Day Maximum Tabs. |
1 tablet daily |
$6.95/100 |
|
970-12 |
Vitamin C with Rose Hips Tablets |
1 tablet 3 times daily |
$5.75/60 |
Sources:
Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 2nd Edition
By James F. Balch, M.D. & Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.
Alternative Medicine, The Definitive Guide
Compiled by Burton Goldberg
