The Health Diva

Currently available treatments focus on reducing the symptoms of ADHD and improving functioning. Often the traditional treatment approach has been to focus on sedating the child with Ritalin.

Doctors are finally being urged to reduce the use of Ritalin and other ‘chemical coshes’ against children with ADHD (attention-deficit, hyperactive disorder).

Far too many children are being given the drugs, says the UK’s National Institute for Clinical Excellence (Nice).  In the UK, around 700,000 children take the drugs, a seven-fold increase in usage in the past 10 years.

There are many natural remedies, therapies and approaches which have seen significant benefit for children, without resorting to Ritalin type medications.

Treatments include, various types of psychotherapy, education or training, or a combination of treatments.

Recent research into complementary therapy techniques such as; music therapy, cranial osteopathy, and visual exercises have all showed promise.

Essential Fatty Acids

There are two essential fatty acids, linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid. They are classified as omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, respectively. The body needs these fatty acids, but is unable to manufacture them. They can only be obtained through diet.

Children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may have low levels of certain essential fatty acids (including EPA and DHA) in their bodies. DHA and EPA are omega-3 fatty acids found in cold water fatty fish and in fish oil supplements. These omega-3 fatty acids, are essential for proper brain functioning. Fatty acids are used to make brain and nerve tissue in the body and are crucial for proper growth, mental function, the immune system and brain development. Without this important building block, the brain suffers.

In a clinical study of nearly 100 boys, those with lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids demonstrated more learning and behavioral problems (such as temper tantrums and sleep disturbances) than boys with normal omega-3 fatty acid levels.

A clinical study used omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid supplementation in 117 children with ADHD. They study found significant improvements in reading, spelling, and behavior in the children over the 3 months of therapy.

Another clinical study found that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation helped to decrease physical aggression in school children with ADHD.

The body does not make any essential fatty acids so all essential fatty acids must come from diet or through supplementation. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in fish, such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, and halibut, other marine life such as algae, certain plants (including Hemp), and nut oils. Not many kids willingly chew on mackerel, line up for a serving of sardines or enjoy eating salmon. Additionally, mercury contamination is a solid concern when consuming fish. 

This is why supplementation is preferred. Fish oils are the Highest source of DHA and EPA and there are many brands available. When comparing fish oils, make sure the brand you select is purified and free of mercury.

A concern when supplementing fish oils, are basically composed of just the Omega-3 group of essential fatty acids. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly is the potential environmental disaster that we are being party to by using fish oils. Recently, some fish oil products were withdrawn from the shelves because they were found to contain toxins. Toxins that were dumped into the sea by us of course. On top of this, by promoting and increasing our use of fish oils we increase the rate at which fish species are becoming extinct. This is obviously not a situation to be encouraged. We still need good sources of essential fatty acids though as they are vital to our health. So what should we do?

The good news is there are plenty of plants that contain essential fatty acids, and we have to look no further than the hemp plant, which is a type of Cannabis! Have no fear though, the type of hemp/Cannabis we are talking about is government licensed and tested to contain none of the drug that other types of Cannabis have become famous for. Interestingly, hemp produces the largest amount of biomass per acre for any crop. Biomass refers to abundant leaf growth. It is these leaves that ‘hoover’ carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere…hence having a positive effect on our environment in direct contrast to ‘factory fishing’ of the seas. Hemp also grows with no need for fertilisers, pesticides etc., and whilst the seed provides us with its valuable oil the rest of the plant yields a fibre that can be used for cloth and paper production.

Hemp seed oil contains 60% Omega-6 fatty acids and 20%Omega-3 fatty acids. This 3:1 ratio is thought to be the perfect balance for human metabolism. Hemp seed oil also contains 12% of the Omega-9 fatty acid, oleic acid and 3% GLA. It contains in total over 90% unsaturated fatty acids, one of the highest in nature.

Hemp seed oil is the most complete and balanced source of essential fatty acids in nature

Whether you decide to supplement your child’s essential fats, with fish or hemp oil, be sure that taking a daily dose of high  quality oil daily is a good starting point.

Some children will take fish oil or Hemp oil straight off the spoon. Most won’t. Make it easy on yourself and mix the oil in oatmeal, yogurt, pudding, shakes or smoothies.

Though you should see improvements within the first four to six weeks, it can take up to six months to see significant improvements in behavior.

Spirulina

A form of blue-green algae used as a nutritional supplement. Blue green algae, microscopic fresh-water organisms, are also known as cyanobacteria. Their color is derived from the green pigment of chlorophyll, and the blue from the protein phycocyanin. Spirulina contains many nutrients, including B vitamins, beta-carotene, gamma-linolenic acid, iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, selenium, zinc, bioflavonoids, and protein. Spirulina has been recommended to alleviate the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Try Adding a teaspoon on Spirulina to a smoothy for and instant nutrient boost.

Zinc

Zinc is important for the metabolism of certain neurotransmitters that play a role in ADHD, and deficiencies have been associated with some cases of ADHD.

Gingko Biloba

Gingko stands as one of the most popular natural supplements on the market today, mostly due to its ability to benefit the circulatory and nervous systems. Recent studies have shown that the same properties of Gingko biloba that benefit the nervous system can also enhance brain activity to act as a natural medicine for ADHD. It has been shown that while the herb can slow mental degeneration, it is also able to increase and optimize brain function. By controlling the nerves in such a manner, gingko biloba becomes a natural supplement for ADHD by allowing the brain to better focus, thereby eliminating the lack of attention associated with ADHD. This effective treatment comes with very few minor side effects (such as headaches), and is considered safe for long term treatment.

Gotu Kola

Gotu, has recently been proven to be effective in treating childhood forms of ADHD. While this remedy has long been known to prevent and cure Alzheimer’s and other nervous system diseases, new studies have emerged testing concentration and knowledge retention among children with learning disorders who were administered the herb. Many of the participants were noted as having a significant increase in concentration and attention spans after receiving the supplement for twelve weeks.

Avena Sativa

Avena, also know as Wild oats, is considered a possible natural medicine for ADHD due to it’s sedative abilities. While there have not been any significant tests to study this specific correlation, wild oats have been known to treat related disorders such as nervousness, anxiety, and bed wetting. Avena is perfectly safe herb to use for children with no side effects and can be combined with most drugs and other herbs safely.

Probiotics

The Role of probiotics for children with concentration issues, has been given a real boost after a recent clinical trail with autistic children. Probiotic bacteria given to autistic children improved their behaviour and concentration to such an extent that the medical trial that made the discovery had to be stopped. The parents, whose children were on placebos, demanded that theirs also be given the probiotics. The effect of the ‘friendly bacteria’, which helps the functioning of the gut, was so pronounced that the parents knew if their child as given a probiotic or a placebo. Prof. Glen Gibson, a microbiologist from Reading University, England, who conducted the trial, said he was disappointed that it had to be stopped. However, the early signs were very positive, and many parents told him their children’s concentration improved.