[tinaanders]

Hi,
I have ADD but Ritalin hasn't been working for me..
does anyone know of any natural ways that treat this problem that actually work?

any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

Tina

[ouch]

diet - I heard that there are certain foods you should avoid -msg, less sugar, not sure what else - look on Dr. phil website under adhd.

[psisci]

Not really, just eat a good diet. All the other stuff is pseudoscience.

[Zen888]

Megavitamin therapy

Using high-dose vitamin treatment (up to 10 times the recommended daily allowance) has been advocated as a treatment for many chronic conditions, including ADHD. However, there is no consistent evidence that megavitamin therapy is of benefit in hyperactive children, and, in some cases such therapy may actually have toxic effects.

Magnesium

Symptoms of magnesium deficiency include irritability, decreased attention span, and mental confusion. Mild magnesium deficiency is not uncommon in normally nourished children, and some experts believe that children with ADHD may be exhibiting the effects of mild magnesium deficiency. In one study of 116 children with ADHD, 95% were magnesium deficient. In a separate study, 75 magnesium-deficient children with ADHD were randomly assigned to receive magnesium supplements in addition to standard treatment or standard treatment alone for 6 months. Those who received magnesium demonstrated a significant improvement in behavior, whereas the control group exhibited worsening behavior.

Vitamin B6

Adequate levels of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) are required for normal brain development and are essential for the synthesis of essential brain chemicals including serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. A preliminary study found that pyridoxine was slightly more effective than methylphenidate (the most commonly used stimulant) in improving behavior among hyperactive children. The results, however, were not significant and no other studies have been able to confirm these findings. Therefore, supplementation with vitamin B6 is not considered a standard treatment for ADHD.

Iron

Iron deficiency is common among children and adolescents, particularly in lower socioeconomic groups where it affects half of all infants. Normal levels of iron in the blood are necessary for optimal brain function. Symptoms of iron deficiency include decreased attention, arousal, and social responsiveness. There is little scientific evidence, however, that iron supplementation in those who are deficient improves behavior in children with ADHD. Since iron can be toxic in children who are not deficient, there is little justification for its supplementation as treatment for ADHD in those with normal levels of this mineral. If iron levels are low, a healthcare provider can determine whether replacement is needed.

Zinc

Zinc regulates the activity of neurotransmitters, fatty acids, and melatonin, all of which are related to the biology of behavior. Two separate studies found that children with ADHD have significantly lower blood zinc levels than children without ADHD. Another study indicated that ADHD children with mild zinc deficiency may be less likely to improve from a commonly prescribed stimulant than children with adequate zinc levels. To date, however, no studies have been conducted to evaluate whether zinc supplementation improves behavior in children with ADHD who are deficient in this mineral.

Melatonin

Although melatonin supplementation probably has no direct effect on the primary symptoms of ADHD, it may be effective in managing sleep cycle disturbances in children with a variety of developmental disorders, including ADHD.

Essential Fatty Acids

Fatty acids play a key role in normal brain function. Since the body cannot synthesize essential fatty acids (EFA), they must be provided in the diet. There are two major types of EFAs: omega-3 fatty acids (found in cold-water fish such as salmon, mackerel, halibut, and herring) and omega-6 fatty acids (found in commonly used cooking oils, such as sunflower oil, safflower oil, corn oil, and soybean oil). Omega-3 fatty acids are highly concentrated in the brain and appear to play a particularly important role in cognitive and behavioral function. Specific enzymes convert EFAs (such as alpha linolenic acid [ALA]) into other substances known as long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). PUFAs, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic (DHA), are also essential for normal brain function. Some researchers believe that individuals with ADHD may have difficulty converting EFAs to PUFAs and may be deficient in both of these substances. In a recent study, researchers reported the following findings in hyperactive boys compared to boys of the same age who were not hyperactive:

Lower blood levels of PUFAs and omega-3 fatty acids
More allergies and other health problems associated with EFA deficiencies
Less likelihood of having been breastfed (breast milk contains PUFAs)
Another study found that boys with lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids had more learning and behavioral problems (such as temper tantrums and sleep disturbances) than boys with normal omega-3 fatty acid levels. Despite the accumulation of evidence suggesting a link between PUFA deficiency and ADHD, however, further studies are necessary before EFA supplementation can be recommended for children with ADHD.

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Herbs

Several herbal remedies for ADHD are sold in the United States and Europe but few scientific studies have investigated whether these herbs improve symptoms of ADHD. Herbs, like other medications, may have side effects or interact with other medications. They should therefore be used with caution and under the guidance of a professionally trained and qualified herbalist. One or more of the following calming herbs may be recommended for people with ADHD:

Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
Kava kava (Piper methysticum)
Valerian (Valerian officinalis)
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)
Other herbs commonly contained in botanical remedies for ADHD include:

Pycnogenol: a bioflavonoid antioxidant extracted from pine bark (Pinus)
Gingko (Gingko biloba): this herb has been used clinically in Europe for circulatory and memory disorders.
American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) and gingko: One recent study suggests that gingko in combination with ginseng may improve symptoms of ADHD.

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Massage and Physical Therapy

Relaxation and massage techniques have been shown to reduce anxiety and activity levels in children and adolescents with a variety of psychiatric illnesses. In one study of 28 teenage boys with ADHD, those who received 15 minutes of massage for 10 consecutive school days demonstrated significant improvement in measures of behavior and concentration compared to those who were guided in progressive muscle relaxation for the same duration of time.

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Homeopathy

In a study of 43 children with ADHD, those who received an individualized homeopathic remedy demonstrated a significant improvement in behavior compared to children who received placebo. The homeopathic remedies found to be most effective included:

Stramonium
Cina
Hyoscyamus niger

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Mind/Body Medicine

Mind/body techniques such as hypnotherapy, progressive relaxation, and biofeedback are particularly well suited to children and adolescents. Children tend to readily accept hypnotic suggestion and the visual process of biofeedback works well for children of this generation because many are accustomed to computerized graphics. Through these techniques, children are often able to learn coping skills that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. These treatments allow children to gain a sense of control and mastery, increase self-esteem, and decrease stress.

Many researchers believe that hyperactive behavior in children results from excessive slow-wave (or theta) activity in certain regions of the brain. In EEG biofeedback, or neurofeedback, an individual is provided with information regarding his or her brain activity. The subject is then trained to suppress slow wave activities while enhancing faster brain waves, over a period of usually 40 or more sessions. The belief is that these children can be trained to consciously modify and permanently change this underlying abnormal electrical brain activity associated with ADHD.

In one study of 23 hyperactive children and teenagers, those who successfully decreased their theta activity after 2 to 3 months of intensive neurofeedback training showed significant improvements in behavior and attention. In a similar study of 18 children and adolescents with ADHD, those who attended 40 neurofeedback sessions over a 6-month period demonstrated a significant improvement in IQ scores and a substantial reduction in inattentive behavior compared to those who did not attend the neurofeedback sessions.

A larger, more recent study found that a combination of 40 behavioral treatments (neurofeedback and metacognitive strategies, a technique designed to help individuals consciously monitor how they learn and remember things), significantly improved ADHD symptoms, academic performance, and IQ scores among children and adults with ADHD. The combined treatment also dramatically reduced the need for medications; 30% of the participants were taking stimulant medication at the beginning of the study compared to only 6% at the end of the study. To be most effective for ADHD, however, these mind/body techniques should be incorporated into an overall comprehensive treatment plan that is tailored to the particular individual.

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Traditional Chinese Medicine

Qi Gong

Although no published studies have evaluated qi gong as a treatment for ADHD, preliminary evidence from unpublished research suggests that weekly qi gong breathing techniques may improve attention and reduce disruptive behaviors in school-age children.
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Web site:http://planetorganic.ca/goodforyou/healthtools