ADHD

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperkinetic Disorder (ADHD) are ever-increasing problems and seem to be symptomatic of so-called sophisticated societies. However, the terms are frequently used loosely without any clear-cut diagnosis. The difference is primarily one of terminology but the most common "catch-all" clinical diagnosis nowadays is ADHD. So, I will try to differentiate the two conditions.

ADD is the term used for an adult or a bright child who has a low attention span and who fails to achieve his/her potential. All children tend to daydream on occasions but with these children the attention loss is very obvious and consistent. It significantly impairs their learning, literacy and numeracy and often results in them being labelled "thick" by their fellow pupils when in fact they may be very bright but struggling to overcome their handicap. Not surprisingly, their reaction is frustration-based and often gets them into scrapes. From then on, the child is often labelled by teachers as a troublemaker in spite of the growing awareness of the problem within the profession.

ADHD is the term used for children and adults who suffer from ADD symptoms but who are, additionally, very hyperactive (not just boisterous like most children).

The core features are:

·	Distractibility

·	Impulsivity

·	Hyperactivity

The diagnosis is only relevant if these behaviours are excessive, long-term and are pervasive. The problems must appear before the age of seven and last for longer than six months. Furthermore, the behaviour must be seen to handicap at least two areas of the person's life e.g. school, home, work or social.

So, rather than the usual stress-related behaviour, the hyperactivity frequently manifests as irrational behaviour of an almost psychotic nature. For instance, sufferers may lose all sense of danger to themselves or others and frequently they will undertake a course of action that they know will get them into trouble yet, compulsively, they will proceed irrespective of the consequences. For example, one of my patient’s children who suffered from ADHD set his younger sister's bedroom on fire after she accidentally stood on one of his toys and broke it! Fortunately, the fire was spotted quickly or the consequences could have been tragic.

It appears that ADD/ADHD affects approximately 4% to 6% of children to a greater or lesser degree. These children's lives are blighted, fraught with frustration and, as a result, the lives of their siblings and parents can be nightmarish. Onlookers are often judgmental, as they perceive the child to be ill-mannered and the parents to be lacking in control. Whereas, in reality, the child is virtually uncontrollable and this is not the result of poor parenting. Obviously, the problem involves the family, friends and school.

Research using scanners has shown that the brains of those with ADHD have areas of low glucose uptake, suggesting that these areas are less active. Also, there is a familial link that may ultimately point to a genetic basis for the condition.

The orthodox medical approach is to prescribe stimulants that paradoxically help the hyperactivity. This would appear to be due to the stimulating of the under-active part of the brain but long-term use of stimulants is controversial with children and, whilst in some cases it may be the only solution, in my opinion it should be a last resort or temporary holding approach whilst other courses of action are identified.

Behavioural therapy is often of great value and as many ADHD sufferers are cross lateral (e.g. right-eyed, left-handed, right-footed) or failed to crawl and, therefore, have undeveloped and uninhibited reflexes, specialist neural re-programming can be very effective. This is achieved, after extensive consultation to isolate the areas of the brain that are involved and the formulation of specific home exercises to rectify the neurological deficits.

Many sufferers also have eye function abnormalities and some ophthalmologists dispense special glasses that can greatly help. This, like the cross laterality correction, may be due to reduced overload on the brain. Whatever the reason, the results are beneficial in many cases.

My use of NEWAYS products for ADHD include:

Maximol
Scientific studies have shown that an amino acid (a protein) called Tyrosine may be helpful in treating ADHD. Tyrosine is used by the body to synthesise dopamine and norepinephrine, the two neurotransmitters believed to be deficient in ADHD. Maximol contains tyrosine, so in addition to providing good supplementary nutrition, it may also increase the amount of dopamine and norepinephrine available to the brain. These neurotransmitters affect the front lobes of the brain that control feelings and task focusing. However Maximol has an even greater role to play because iron, vitamin C, vitamin B3 and Folic acid are necessary for the synthesis of these chemical messengers (often referred to as "feel-good" chemicals) and these are all present.

Ingenious
Research in Italy showed that patients with chronic senile dementia showed improvement representing backtracking of six years when put on phosphatidylserine. Where do we find the substance? - Ingenious.

However, Ingenious has other ingredients that are helpful with ADHD e.g.centella Asiatica, a plant that improves peripheral circulation (remember the areas of poor circulation in the brain?) and also has the ability to promote mental calm; calcium pantothenate (vitamin B5), which is necessary to produce acetylcholine and to convert fat and sugar into energy; and gingko biloba to increase peripheral circulation and bacopa monniera, an Indian Ayurvedic herb thought to have a direct effect in improving brain functions and increasing concentration and memory. In other words, it is packed with ingredients aimed at helping the brain to function to its potential.

Omega 3 EPA
A group of fatty acids derived from fish oils that support the body's maintenance of blood lipids. They are essential for healthy cell membrane formation and optimum circulation. In addition, vitamin E has been added because of its antioxidant properties.

EFA Recovery Plus
EFA Recovery Plus combines a group of essential fatty acids. They are essential because the body needs them but cannot produce them on its own. The modern tendency to include children in low-fat diets may be one of the reasons for the increase in ADHD. There is no doubt that saturated fats can create health problems but, likewise, absence of unsaturated fats also puts us at risk. The unsaturated fats are present in salmon, tuna, herring, avocados, some nuts and beans. These fats are needed to carry fat-soluble vitamins e.g. vitamins A, D, E and K through the bloodstream and are crucial for foetal brain development. Today's typical diet frequently does not include sufficient of this group of fats and EFA Recovery Plus is formulated to deal with this deficiency. Recent research into dyslexia has shown that EFA supplementation can dramatically reduce problems.

The key ingredients are:

Alpha-lipoic acid, essential for muscle energy

Linoleic acid, important for circulation, healthy vision, brain and nerve cells.

Alpha linolenic acid is converted into EPA and DHA. DHA is a major component of human brain tissue.

Gamma linolenic acid is necessary for the synthesis of prostaglandins essential for circulatory health.

EPA and DHA are two polyunsaturated fatty acids that support healthy circulation and nerve transmission.

There are two ways of dealing with a medical problem: a) treat the symptoms; b) treat the cause. The approach using NEWAYS products would be to look at the underlying possible nutritional causes and, using the highest quality supplements, give the body what it needs to function properly. In other words, even if there is a genetic defect discovered, the problem can be addressed by reducing brain overload to a level whereby functioning is restored. Common sense dictates that junk foods, lurid colourings and potentially toxic personal care products should be eliminated as these can only add to the body’s toxic overload.

If the overload is shed, the brain will function nearer to optimum. The child will behave normally and the family and school will benefit. This is because the condition does not affect the child only, but can have a wide reaching impact on the community. Perhaps the most beneficial aspect of this approach is that the child's health overall will be improved.