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ADHD- is drugging our children the answer?
Since the early 1980's, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) has been a diagnosed 'illness' in children. Some doctors argue ADHD should not be classified as a 'disorder' but simply consists of a set of problems that are a normal part of childhood. Many of ADHD's symptoms, nervousness, wandering attention and hyperactivity do exist and can be extremely troubling to parents and teachers alike. Ritalin, ADHD drug treatment of choice, has been found to have highly dangerous side effects. On top of that, Ritalin is not a true solution at all. Many nutritionists have found that many of the problems of ADHD are directly related to the child's diet. Sugar and food additives along with lack of essential nutrients are directly related to the diagnosis of ADHD.
Food Additives and Sugar
In a notable example (known to the author), one child, horrible hyperactive, 'out of control' and diagnosed as having ADHD by a school psychologist, was taken off any foods containing a particular red dye. As if by magic, the child's 'hyperactivity' ceased; she began paying attention and living a normal life. Supporting such a result, a study just completed at Yale University School of Medicine's Prevention Research Centre showed a direct connection between food additives and hyperactivity. In the study, 297 children were given drinks containing common artificial food colourings and additives similar to those found in commercially available food and candy. A control group was given drinks without additives.
The children who drank the additive-enhanced drinks displayed significantly more hyperactive behaviour and also had shorter attention spans. Another very common cause of ADHD symptoms is children 'overdosing' on sugar. With all the snack-food breakfast cereals available, and all manner of high-sugar-content treats, hyperactivity is no wonder. You can observe a child who ingests a large quantity of sugar (just a doughnut and a soda will do the trick) and watch what occurs with the child. They'll hit a high of seemingly out-of-control hyperactivity, and then become grouchy and fidgety and prone to tantrums.
This is sometimes called a 'sugar rush' and is somehow unknown to many parents as a source of problems. Taking a child off sugar will do miracles. In addition to removal of chemical additives and processed sugar from the diet, a number of noteworthy nutritionists have traced ADHD symptoms to a lack of the mineral magnesium, which is essential to-and missing from-most diets today.
'Kids drinking a lot of soda, or even drinking fruit juices, are getting high amounts of sugar but not magnesium,' says Carolyn Dean, MD, author of The Magnesium Miracle'. 'Kids without magnesium suffer irritability, insomnia and constipation. These symptoms, usually diagnosed as ADHD, usually clear up very quickly when a child is put on magnesium. You also can't concentrate in school when you've got magnesium deficiency-your brain is irritated' Daniella Chace, nutritionist and author of the best-selling book Smoothies for Life, agrees: 'It is my belief that many ADHD symptoms stem from a high sugar diet and also, in many cases, from a magnesium deficiency.'
Sirena Stever, a naturopath practicing in Augusta, Georgia, also agrees. 'Sugar and over stimulation, like stress, will actually exhaust a child's nervous system,' she says. 'One of the foundation products we will start them on is Peter Gillham's Natural Calm. They can tell such a difference. The magnesium allows the nervous system to rebuild, and will allow the child to relax.' Dr. Stever has actually assisted many children to come off ADHD medications and helped restore them to normal lives. Children are the future of our society. Assisting them to survive-naturally-is something for, which we must all take more responsibility.
About the author: Ken is the owner of Westwood Chiropractic in Westwood, Kansas. Ken has been practicing chiropractic for 24 years.
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