Tag Archives: ADHD

The Attention Deficit Epidemic : Brain Vitamin

Article by Fresh Earth

The Attention Deficit Epidemic

Human beings are master learners – one of our definitive traits. The brain is made of specialised nerve cells, called neurones, that communicate with each other to form the process of thought itself. The brain is constantly restructuring itself and learning by forming new nerve pathways. A healthy new-born baby will form over half its learning pathways between ages one and five years. The number of nerve cells do not increase after age two, but the number of connections do. At birth a child can connect to 2500 other neurones. By age 2-3 years a child can connect to 15000 neurones.

Learning is one of the greatest and most exciting potentials we have to fulfil. But sadly our capacity to learn is being threatened. This is evident in the ever-increasing incidence of childhood learning disabilities seen today, from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder to autism. Statistics from the UK show that one in three children in every classroom is diagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and Lancet estimate that eight to ten percent of children suffer from this condition. Boys are more prone to ADHD than girls, with a ratio of 10:1 boy to girl sufferers.

ADHD does not usually affect IQ or intelligence and individuals can be highly creative and can sit for long periods completing projects that are of interest to them. Onset is usually by the age of 3, although diagnosis is usually later when the child is in school. ADHD can occur in adulthood as well.

Symptoms of ADHD (one or more may be present):

HyperactivityRisk-taking behaviourRestlessnessReduced concentration & distractibilityShort attention spanAggressivenessImpulsivity (action before thought, abrupt changes in activities, jumping up in class)Reduced coordination and accident prone behaviourSelf-destructive behaviourTemper tantrums and impatienceLow stress tolerance & emotional instabilityDisruptiveness in the classroomExcessive talkingProblems adapting to change/new thingsMemory and thought problems – often losing things.

Causes

Although the cause or causes of ADHD have not been fully established, many theories have been postulated. Recent research has identified that ADHD is caused by chemical imbalances in the brain’s neurotransmitters, with dopamine being low in ADHD sufferers. The reasons for this chemical imbalance are varied.

Conventional Treatment

Conventional treatment does not address the underlying cause of ADHD but merely masks the symptoms by prescribing brain-stimulating drugs. Ritalin, an amphetamine-type drug, is the most commonly prescribed anti hyperactivity drug. It has been classified as a class II drug (alongside cocaine and methadone) by the US Drug Enforcement Agency. Ritalin works by stimulating the production of the brain neurotransmitter, dopamine. Dopamine helps to focus attention and concentration. The long-term effects of Ritalin have not yet been established. Numerous side-effects have been identified with Ritalin. It should not be stopped suddenly, since severe withdrawal reactions can occur (e.g. depression). Supervision during withdrawal is also needed. Ritalin should not be administered to children less than six years of age.

The role of nutrients in mental health

The nutritional approach to ADHD works on the basis that dietary changes influence brain chemistry. Certain nutrients are required to make and maintain the brain itself. Deficiencies of these nutrients at any time can have repercussions on intelligence, learning potential and behaviour.

The key nutrients required to feed the brain are:

Essential fatty acids found in oily fish (such as salmon, mackerel, herring and sardines), nuts and seeds, are vital for brain function. These essential fats form part of the myelin sheath, a layer surrounding all neurones, and enable one neurone to communicate with another.

Protein (found in for example salmon, nuts, seeds, beans and lentils, eggs, tofu, quinoa, yoghurt) is important for the formation of neurotransmitters, the chemical messengers of the brain.

Vitamins and minerals function to keep the brain in tune. The B vitamins, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium and zinc are some of important vitamins and minerals needed by the brain.Phospholipids from eggs and lecithin granules help with brain memory.

The main brain pollutants that hinder brain function are:

Heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, copper and aluminium.Trans and hydrogenated fats found in fried foods and foods containing margarine or shortening.Preservatives and additives from processed foods.Food and chemical sensitivities (milk and wheat being the most common)Blood sugar imbalances – hyperactivity is often the result of a sudden burst of sugar. The brain feeds on sugar and low blood sugar can also result in lack of concentration.

There is a strong connection between poor gastro-intestinal function and adverse brain symptoms. Gastro-intestinal tract conditions, such as intestinal permeability, food intolerance, undigested food particles and chemicals, imbalances in gut bacteria and yeast infection, can have a profound negative effect on brain function. The term GAP (gut and psychology) syndrome, has been used to describe this link. Assessing gastro-intestinal function is an important aspect of treating ADHD nutritionally.

Functional Tests

Various tests are useful tools in identifying possible causes and contributing factors to ADHD. The nutritionist may use one or more of the following:

Hair Mineral Analysis – for identifying heavy metal toxicity and nutrient imbalances.Food Allergy or Food Intolerance Testing.CDSA – Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis – for identifying if there are any pathogenic bacteria/fungus or organisms are present.

Nutritional treatment has proven very helpful for many children with ADD or ADHD. It has few, if any, side effects and is therefore worth pursuing before considering other more harmful interventions.

Bibliography

Balch, P.A. Balch, J.F. (2000) Prescription for Nutritional Healing. 3rd Ed. New York. Avery Publishing Group. Campbell-Mcbride Dr.N. (2007) Gut and Psychology Syndrome. Cambridge: MedinformHolford, P. (2007) New Optimum Nutrition for the Mind. London: PiatkusMurray, MT (1996) Encylopedia of nutritional supplements. California:Prima Publishing.Murray,M & Pizzorno,J (1998) Encylopedia of natural medicine. Revised 2nd ed. California: Prima Publishing.

Fresh Earth Food Store

This Article Courtesy of the Fresh Earth Food Store Website: http://www.freshearth.co.za/store/p-2281-the-attention-deficit-epidemic.aspx

The Fresh Earth website offers: Healthy Meal Plans, Vegetarian Recipes, Health Articles, Expert Advice and Organic Grocery Shopping Online. http://www.freshearth.co.za

New research has revealed that vitamin B-12 deficiency may be responsible for causing the brain to actually shrink.* Loss of brain size has been linked to Alzheimer’s Disease and decreased brain function, energy and cognitive decline.* Dr. John Douillard, DC received his Ayurvedic training in India and runs an Ayurvedic retreat center in Boulder, CO. www.lifespa.com *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Video Rating: 5 / 5

Quality Food for Mental Performance : Brain Foods

Article by Carole Gayle

There are foods that definitely nourish the brain and then there are foods that can actually negatively affect brain capability. Do you understand which promote a strong brain and which do not? The following is a list of foods to help you in seeking out positive foods to sharpen concentration, sharpen memory and possibly ward off brain aging – among a great many other health advantages.

The food categories are listed by proteins, carbs and fats and oils. In each grouping we’re going to check out the most important foods and the worst foods. As well, we will check out the most important foods with respect to detox busting attributes. Antioxidants reduce the effects of toxins that can harm the brain. Think about anti-oxidants as the guardian of your brain. Antioxidants defend against the result of toxins by either busting the toxins into benign particles or by keeping toxins from targeting healthy cellular material.

When eating with the brain in mind, make sure you load your eating plan with items from the “Best” section and avoid food outlined as undesirable for brain efficiency.

ProteinsEggs, beans, protein powders and cottage cheese are quality proteins that nourish the brain. Cold-water fish like salmon and sardines are quality brain food. But, there is an imperative word related to consuming sea food. Virtually all fish come with traces of mercury. The fish detailed in this article are looked at as “low-mercury” fish. Tuna is also a great brain-food fish, although it can have increased amounts of mercury. The Food and Drug Administration advises that young children eat at the most 2 low-mercury sea food servings per week.

Processed meats, lamb and other fish don’t have the value that the previously outlined proteins have but are still good for the brain. What you want to stay away from are red meats, pork and other fatty meats, processed and deli meats. These proteins do not assist brain power.

CarbsYou can find a variety of quality fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans that supply nutrients to the brain, while also providing antioxidant defense. The following are the best foods in the carb department;- Fruits: apples, berries, raisins, plums, grapes- Vegetables: spinach, kale, brussels sprouts, broccoli, cilantro, parsley, bell peppers, basil, onions, garlic, sweet potatoes and yams, tomato- Whole grains: barley, brown rice, oats and oatmeal- Dark beans

Foods made with refined sugars and refined flours do more harm compared to good. Unfortunately, a lot of foods on the grocer’s shelves are made out of processed sugar and processed flour. Always try for whole-grain foods as a substitute and your mind will certainly thank you.

Fats and OilsFats have obtained a bad rep however the healthy fats and oils, in particular olive and flax oil, are quality for the brain. So are walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds and peanuts. Saturated and trans fats are unhealthy for the brain and the entire body, though these are the fats you find in most refined foods. Corn oil, vegetable oil and other processed cooking oils are not beneficial for the brain either.

Brain-Boosting Antioxidant FoodsRead the list of high antioxidant foods and pick out the foods you will most likely enjoy on a daily basis. A few of these food items have already been outlined, but function in a dual purpose for the brain. You need to put these foods on your grocery list but don’t stop there. Return back to the list and pick foods that you might not eat every day but that you might not mind adding to your eating plan. Check out recipes via the internet that can include those foods. Variety is key simply because each of these foods creates their distinct combination of nutritional value.

Vegetables: Red vegetables including beets, red onion and red cabbage, broccoli, garlic, kale, sweet potato, cilantro, parsley, bell peppers and chili peppers, artichoke, brussels sprouts

Fruits: All types of berries, pomegranate, avocado, apples (especially dark-skinned apples), dark-skinned grapes, prunes, plums, citrus fruits, kiwi, pineapple

Nuts, Seeds and Beans: Broad beans, soy, red and black beans, peanuts, walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, flax seed, sesame seed, sunflower seeds

Cereals: Millet, barley, oats

Spices and herbs: Cinnamon, cloves, oregano, rosemary, turmeric, ginger, curry, sage, basil

Try to integrate as many of the foods outlined in this area into your daily diet regime. These foods are especially good for brain efficiency.

End ADD and ADHD symptoms immediately using this healthful ADD and ADHD diet solution. For more information and to get your Free copy of “Powerful ADHD Strategies” go to http://www.naturalADHDcure.com.

Expand the description and view the text of the steps for this how-to video. Check out Howcast for other do-it-yourself videos from vinzfeller and more videos in the Eating & Meals category. You can contribute too! Create your own DIY guide at www.howcast.com or produce your own Howcast spots with the Howcast Filmmakers Program at www.howcast.com Raise little brainiacs by working these foods into their diet. To complete this How-To you will need: Oatmeal Salmon Nuts Eggs Folate-rich foods Berries Dark chocolate Milk (optional) Bananas (optional) Step 1: Give them oatmeal Serve a hot cereal for breakfast. Children who ate instant oatmeal performed 5 to 12 percent better on spatial memory tests than kids who ate sugary cereal or no breakfast at all. Tip: Make the cereal with milk — protein staves off hunger, which increases concentration. Step 2: Serve salmon Replace tuna sandwiches with salmon. Tuna is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for brain growth and function, but salmon has even more. Studies have suggested that children whose diet is high in essential fatty acids do better on reading and spelling tests. Step 3: Go nuts Let them snack on unsalted nuts. Like salmon, they’re high in essential fatty acids, among other brain-boosting nutrients. Cashews are particularly good for developing minds; they’re rich in magnesium, which may improve blood flow to the brain. Step 4: Whip up some eggs Whip up some eggs; they’re loaded with choline, a B vitamin that …
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Brain Training for Improving Attention in ADHD : Brain Training

Article by Scotty Parker

A new study published in the Psychopharmacology Bulletin concludes that 10 weeks of a Brain Computer Attention program helps the symptoms of inattention seen in children with ADHD. The children in this study received 20 sessions of brain training over a 10-week period and were tested before and after the training for levels of inattentiveness. Parents and teachers rated the participants as more attentive after the 20 sessions of training. None of the students in this study had ever been medicated.There are several brain attention computer programs available which parents can get for their children and that adults with A.D.H.D. can try for themselves. One program, which only cost 0.00 and is easily installed in a home computer, involves staring at a bouncing spot and hitting the space bar when the spot changes color. I tried this program for several weeks and it was about as exiting as watching paint dry. I did not notice a change in my attention. I chose this particular software because it cost only 0.00 vs. the 00.00 that most of the other programs cost. In this case, I got what I paid for which was not much. Other brain training programs are more effective.Many brain training software programs available are entertaining and easy to complete. Some of these programs, however cannot be installed on a home computer and require that you do these exercises at the office of a medical provider. Most insurance companies will not pay for these brain training software programs. The cost of the software and the cost of the evaluation by the Cognitive Behavioral Specialist administering the programs are unfortunate barriers that make these non-pharmaceutical interventions for A.D.H.D. inaccessible to some of the adults and children who most need them.Studies performed on the effects of brain training have mostly showed improvement in ADHD’s inattentive symptoms but they have also shown that once you stop the training the improvements go away. Maybe the key is to just have adults and children with ADHD do 20 minutes of brain exercises daily.These brain-training exercises improve memory, IQ and concentration in people without ADHD as well. A search for ‘Brain Training Software’ will bring you to a variety of programs that improve attention and memory but beware, in the case of brain training software, all programs are not created equal. Beware of programs that cost substantially less than others. They may improve memory and attention but if completing them is impossible because of repetitiveness or poor design, any amount of money spent on them is money wasted.As we learn more about the brain’s plasticity and about software that improves memory and attention, we may discover that brain-training is a good idea of everyone. Hopefully, in the future, it will also be affordable for everyone.Many parents are surprised to learn that their child’s IQ score can actually be increased. After all, we were raised to believe that IQ was stagnant – that is, you are born with the IQ you’ll have throughout life. But in the 1990s, brain researchers discovered that the brain is actually capable of changing and regrowing the connections between brain cells. It’s these connections, or synapses, not the cells themselves, that actually increase the brain’s powers by increasing the number of viable paths for information.

I am a writer who writes on his private weblog about brain training for specific groups, these kinds of as brain games for kids and other mind education connected topicsWhy Are Brain Stimulating Game

ADHD Diet – Know The Right Foods : Brain Foods

Article by Michael Harrah

Looking at the overall society, most people will look at people with ADHD in a different light. This is because they have this condition but a lot of them are trying to deal with it with the help of various procedures or things. One of these is taking in a good ADHD Diet that will help them control different symptoms that may accompany it. Typically, they can lower down the manifestation of ADHD by taking in natural supplements included with their die. The good thing about taking this type of diet is this will not only ADHD but also in providing good health as many of the recommended foods are very healthy in terms of components. Most of the time, the foods on its group may be matched properly according to allergic reactions but the only thing to keep in mind is to know the best foods that will help control ADHD symptoms and manifestation.There are several things that you need to know about ADHD Diet. Primarily, they are the foods that you must include in the daily diet. These foods are the ones that will help keep a person’s mind in focus. High protein foods are among the food that should always be included on the diet. Foods like eggs, beans, and meat are considered as good foods that will help keep the mind focused because they’re considered to be brain foods. In addition, foods that have complex carbohydrates are also advisable to be a daily part of ADHD diet. These carbohydrates can be found in different fruits together with vegetable. Conversely, foods that have the most simple carbohydrate contents should be controlled.Usually, this type of diet can be found in other diet types. As much as they try to avoid simple carbohydrates, ADHD Diet also recommends to avoid candies, white flour and rice, and others that should not be taken in for a healthy diet. Just focus on the basics of having a healthy diet like enormous amount of fruits and vegetables. Additional supplements with zinc, magnesium and iron will be a good help in providing the things they would need to be in control of their mind and body.

Want to know more about ADHD Diet? Visit Michael Harrah’s site at http://www.adhd-diet.net/.

The Natural Thyroid Diet
The #1 Natural Thyroid Diet. Check % Affiliate Sales! Real Info By Certified Australian Naturopath. Thyroid Health Is Hot Niche Topic. Bonus E-book: ‘adrenal Fatigue & Your Thyroid’. Banners: www.the-natural-thyroid-diet.com/affiliates.html
The Natural Thyroid Diet

Sonic Vitamins

Brain Enhancing Technology a Sonic Vitamins Review

Tag Archives: ADHD

The Attention Deficit Epidemic : Brain Vitamin

Quality Food for Mental Performance : Brain Foods

Brain Training for Improving Attention in ADHD : Brain Training

ADHD Diet – Know The Right Foods : Brain Foods