| ADD or ADHD:
Signs of inattention, impulsiveness and hyperactivity inappropriate for
the child’s age, often accompanied by poor attention span and poor
concentration. 3-20% of school age
children are thought to suffer from ADD, however better diagnostic
criteria has reduced this estimate to 3-5%.
Over 2 million school-aged boys take
Ritalin or similar types of drugs.
Food Additives and
Food Allergies As a Cause
5,000 food additives are used in the
United States and each person in the U.S. is estimated to consume 8-10
pounds of food additives each year.
Dr. Benjamin Feingold, M.D. developed the
hypothesis that food additives induce hyperactivity and that 40-50% of
children are over sensitive to artificial food colors, flavorings,
preservatives, salicylates and phenolic compounds. Studies have shown that
up to 50% of those who tried the Feingold Diet displayed a decrease of
symptoms of hyperactivity.
Food Allergies (Sensitivities): In a
double-blind study, 185 hyperactive children were put on a low allergen
diet for 4 weeks. Significantly, 116 children (62.7%) improved.
Sucrose (Refined Sugar): In one study,
74% of hyperactive children displayed an abnormal glucose tolerance
response to sucrose, indicating hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia can promote
hyperactivity via increased adrenalin secretion.
Treatment and
Summary:
- Feingold Diet: avoid food additives
and other chemical that seem to cause hyperactive behaviors.
- Food Allergies: use a low allergen
diet then reintroduce foods and identify which specific foods cause the
hyperactive behaviors to return.
- Eliminate refined sugars.
- Use a high quality
multivitamin-mineral supplement.
- For ADD without hyperactivity, it was
found that ear infections (otitis media), that were chronic in nature,
were a factor. Also detecting and eliminating any heavy metal toxicity
is a key factor.
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