Someone shared this video with me and I thought it was very insightful.

A non-profit organization has been formed to hep gifted children.

Our society has a way of trying to label and put people into neatly organized boxes.

In doing so [...]]]>

ADHD Gifted

Someone shared this video with me and I thought it was very insightful.

A non-profit organization has been formed to hep gifted children.

Our society has a way of trying to label and put people into neatly organized boxes.

In doing so we often snuff out the God-given talents and abilities of giften children.

Too often ADHD is the label given.

SENG = Supporting the Emotional Need of the Gifted  http://www.sengifted.org/

SENG is dedicated to fostering environments in which gifted adults and children, in all their diversity, understand and accept themselves and are understood, valued, nurtured, and supported by their families, schools, workplaces and communities.

ADHD or Gifted?

Please comment below

Just came across this article.

This eye-opening article by a prominent psychologist raises an important, but often neglected question…

Are ADD ADHD drugs effective?

Read the article here and please comment below.

Ritalin Gone Wrong - NY Times

ADHD protein – why it is so important

In previous articles we have looked at the importance of neurotransmitters in optimum brain function. These important chemical formulations can be accurately described as the ‘brain’s messengers’ as they play such a crucial role in facilitating the movement of impulses between different nerve cells.

The very same [...]]]>

ADHD protein – why it is so important

In previous articles we have looked at the importance of neurotransmitters in optimum brain function. These important chemical formulations can be accurately described as the ‘brain’s messengers’ as they play such a crucial role in facilitating the movement of impulses between different nerve cells.

The very same things that we require from a ‘real life’ messenger service (i.e. an overnight courier) also apply to neurotransmitters namely that they should do their work speedily, efficiently and reliably.

If this is not the case you could very well end up with a situation in which the brain simply does not perform as it should. The symptoms of this kind of sub-optimal performance can range from mild mental fuzziness to serious mental health problems. A strong case can be made that some of the symptoms associated with ADD ADHD can also be traced back to deficient neurotransmitter activity.

It is very important, in light of the above, to strive towards conditions in which high quality neurotransmitters can be created and in which they can do their work as efficiently as possible. It should come as no surprise that nutrition plays an absolutely vital role in doing this with each food type contributing something significant to the mix. Over the next few weeks we will therefore look at the role of proteins, carbohydrates, fats and vitamins and minerals in ensuring proper brain function. This week the spotlight will be on the role of protein.

ADHD Protein

The vital importance of protein in our diets can be summed up in two words: Building Blocks. Neurotransmitters do not enter our bodies ‘whole’, they have to be manufactured by the body. This is done by using basic chemical building blocks of which amino acids are the most important. Where do we get these amino acids?

Answer: From the protein in our diets.

The body needs twenty two different amino acids which it then combines and reconfigures into the things that are necessary to sustain human life and thought. Eight of the twenty two amino acids (phenylalanine, valine, threonine, tryptophan, isoleucine, methionine, leucine, and lysine) are considered essential.

This is not because they are more important to sustain human life than the others but because the body cannot manufacture them and they can therefore only be obtained through the diet. Non-essential amino acids can, on the other hand, be manufactured by the body, mostly by using the essential amino acids.

We all need sufficient amounts of the eight essential amino acids mentioned above in order to survive and thrive. This means that there should be enough protein in our diets. We should also pay careful attention to the kind of proteins that we eat since there are marked differences between what different kinds of proteins can supply. In general proteins can be divided into:

Complete Proteins: These proteins include sufficient amounts of all the essential amino acids. The most important sources are: Meat, fish, poultry, eggs and cheese. There are also some plant based sources of complete proteins, such as quinoa, hempseed and buckwheat.

Incomplete (or ‘Complementary’) Proteins: Incomplete proteins are mostly plant based (gelatin is the only animal based protein considered to be incomplete). They are considered to be ‘incomplete’ because they lack, or do not have sufficient quantities of, one or more of the essential amino acids. Examples of sources of incomplete proteins include grains (e.g. barley, cornmeal, rice, pasta and rye); legumes (e.g. beans, lentils, peanuts, chickpeas and soy) and nuts and seeds (e.g. sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, walnuts, cashew nuts and pumpkin seeds). Proteins from these categories will have to be combined with each other in order to create complete proteins. This means that a plate of rice will supply only part of the amino acids that you need, but that a dish of rice and beans can act as a complete protein. Information on the best ways of combining incomplete proteins is obviously very important if you follow a vegetarian diet. It is recommended that all vegetarians reading this research the topic thoroughly in order to make sure that you do not end up with a protein deficiency.

The importance of getting the right amount, and the right kinds, of amino acids from our diet have two very important implications. They are:

• Make sure that your diet contains enough protein: This may seem like a no-brainer, but it is often the case that people skimp on protein, either through neglect or through following the latest diet fad. The fact is however, that your body and brain cannot function properly without the basic building blocks provided by sufficient amounts of protein in your diet.
• Protein intake needs to be balanced and ‘in sync’ with that of other nutrients:Our protein intake should not be seen in isolation. The way in which we combine it with other foodstuffs (especially carbohydrates) can play a crucial role in helping us to achieve peak brain function. This topic (and especially how it related to the concept of Low GI) will be further highlighted and explained in subsequent articles.

A healthy brain needs a healthy messaging system. Part of making sure that this is in place is the supply of the right building blocks through sufficient protein intake. This is, if anything, even more important in the case of the ‘ADD-ADHD brain’ where everything possible should be done to ensure the smooth running of every part of the central nervous system.

ADHD Protein is vital for people with ADHD symptoms because it keeps blood sugar balanced and helps you avoid loss of focus due to sugar crashes.

When we hear the term ADHD our attention almost immediately turns to children. This is simply because the problem of childhood ADD ADHD is very relevant and visible due to the massive rise in diagnoses over the past few decades. We are also in the midst of a fierce debate on the destructive effects of [...]]]>

When we hear the term ADHD our attention almost immediately turns to children. This is simply because the problem of childhood ADD ADHD is very relevant and visible due to the massive rise in diagnoses over the past few decades. We are also in the midst of a fierce debate on the destructive effects of ADD ADHD medication on young minds.

Childhood ADD ADHD is, however, certainly not the full story.

Many adults have the condition and face significant struggles to get through life because of it. I often call adult ADHD ‘Invisible ADD ADHD’ since it is certainly not a problem that is in the public eye.

It is also very often undetected by those who are faced with it. This is because adults don’t live their lives in the highly controlled environment (read ‘classroom) of most kids where attention problems are bound to show themselves through behavior and interaction.

When these problems surface in children there would normally be a well-defined route towards diagnosis and treatment. This is not altogether a positive thing because this route mostly ends with medication, but we should at least acknowledge that early detection of childhood ADD ADHD is fairly common.

This is obviously not the case with the adult form of the condition.

By calling adult ADHD an ‘invisible’ condition I am certainly not implying that it is not serious. Anyone who battles with adult ADD ADHD will tell you that this is simply not the case.

Undetected and unaddressed adult ADD ADHD can wreak havoc on the personal and social lives of individuals.

I will be creating articles that focus the spotlight on ADD ADHD in adults. We will begin by clearing up some misconceptions before focusing on detection methods and ways to address the condition.

I trust that you will find this series of articles beneficial and I especially want to urge those adults who think they might have the condition to pay close attention.

Let’s dive straight in by looking at some of the misconceptions about…

Adult ADHD

Misconception #1: “I was not diagnosed as a child so I cannot have ADD ADHD.”

The basic misunderstanding underlying this misconception is that ADD ADHD will always be accurately diagnosed during childhood. This is obviously not the case! Many people went through childhood thinking that their inability to pay attention, their fidgeting or other symptoms were simply down to ‘the way I am’.

In such cases giving a name to what they experienced can actually be quite a relief since it implies that something can be done about it. It can also be the case that symptoms that were very much in the background during childhood can ‘flare up’ later in life.

Misconception #2: “I am not hyperactive so I cannot have ADD/ADHD.”

The classical image of ADD/ADHD in the minds of many adults is of a hyperactive child ‘bouncing off the walls’. Since this image does not correspond with their own experience they think that they cannot have the condition. The fact is, however, that with adult ADD/ADHD the emphasis should be placed much more on attention deficit than on hyperactive. When the spotlight shifts to the lack of focus associated with the condition many more adults will be able to recognize themselves in what is being described.

Misconception #3: “It is not ADD/ADHD, I just lack willpower.”

Many people (especially employers) look at adults trying to cope with ADD/ADHD and come to the conclusion that the real problem is simply a lack of willpower. They point to the fact that such people can pay very close attention to things that interest them and conclude that they simply lack the basic motivation to focus on more mundane matters. According to this, erroneous, assessment all that is required is that adults with ADD/ADHD should ‘up their game’. This analysis completely misses the point. ADD/ADHD is a complex condition linked to the functioning of the human brain and cannot simply be addressed through calls to ‘pull up your socks’!

Misconception #4: “Everybody has ADD ADHD symptoms and intelligent people are able to master them through various techniques.”

According to this way of looking at the condition full-blown adult ADD/ADHD is simply indicative of the fact that some people cannot manage to respond to certain common aspects of the human condition in intelligent ways.

This is obviously a very insulting and prejudiced position to take since ADD/ADHD has absolutely nothing to do with intellectual abilities.

It can, in fact, be shown that some of the greatest geniuses of our time had to deal with the condition.

Next week will continue this discussion of adult ADD/ADHD by looking at some of the most common signs and symptoms of the condition in adults.

Wait.

I thought the only way to treat ADHD was with medication?

Actually, the opposite is true.

Has anyone stopped and asked “What is the ’cause’ of ADHD?”

Where does it come from?

Most people assume that they [...]]]>

ADHD Vitamin

Wait.

I thought the only way to treat ADHD was with medication?

Actually, the opposite is true.

Has anyone stopped and asked “What is the ’cause’ of ADHD?”

Where does it come from?

Most people assume that they are having trouble focussing and staying on task because they have a “condition” that somehow has afflicted them.

What if…

It is not “ADHD” at all?

What if it is simply a nutritional deficiency or allergy?

If what I am suggesting is true, then the big drug companies have a LOT to lose.

ADHD Vitamin

Why?

Because our society is suffering from a lack of nutrition.

Our food sources are laden with chemicals.

Our food choices are poor.

We consume an increasing amount of “synthetic” foods.

ADHD symptoms occur for 2 reasons

1. Lack – lack of proper nutrition that the brain and body needs.

2.  Toxins – we are putting “crap” into our bodies daily.  Can you really expect there to be no side effects to this fast-food lifestyle?

Below are the 17 ADHD Vitamins that I have researched and compiled into my best-selling book on Amazon called..

The 17 Secret ADD Vitamins

I hope you will consider the idea that your ADHD symptoms could at least be caused by poor nutrition.

Please grab a copy.

I have set the price as cheap as possible to get this information into the most hands possible.

Introduction ………………………………………………………………………7

ADHD Vitamin – Building Block 1 – Vitamin C……………………………………………….8
Recommended Source for Vitamin C ……………………………………………………….10

ADHD Vitamin – Building Block 2 – Thiamin………………………………………………..11
Recommended Source for Thiamin ………………………………………………………….14

Building Block 3 – Riboflavin …………………………………………….15
Recommended Source for Riboflavin………………………………………………………..18

Building Block 4 – Niacin ………………………………………………….19
Recommended Source for Niacin……………………………………………………………..22

Building Block 5 – Vitamin B6……………………………………………23
Recommended Source for Vitamin B6………………………………………………………26

Building Block 6 – Folate……………………………………………………27
Recommended Source for Folate………………………………………………………………30

Building Block 7 – Vitamin B12………………………………………….31
Recommended Source for Vitamin B12…………………………………………………….34

Building Block 8 – Pantothenic Acid ……………………………………35
Recommended Source for Panothenic Acid……………………………………………….38

Building Block 9 – Magnesium …………………………………………..39
Recommended Source for Magnesium ……………………………………………………..41

Building Block 10 – Calcium ……………………………………………..42
Recommended Source for Calcium…………………………………………………………..45

Building Block 11 – Copper ……………………………………………….46
Recommended Source for Copper ……………………………………………………………49

Building Block 12 – Zinc……………………………………………………50
Recommended Source for Zinc ………………………………………………………………..53

Building Block 13 – 5 Hydroxytryptophan (also known as 5- HTP) ………………………………………………………………………………54
Recommended Source for 5-HTP …………………………………………………………….57

Building Block 14 – DHA ………………………………………………….57
Recommended Source for DHA……………………………………………………………….61

Building Block 15 – Ginkgo Biloba……………………………………..62
Building Block 16 – L-Glutamine & L Tyrosine ……………………66

Recommended Source for L-Glutamine ……………………………………………………68 L-Tyrosine :Replacing the missing pieces …………………………………………………..68 Recommended Source for L-Tyrosine……………………………………………………….70

Building Block 17 – DL-Phenylalanine…………………………………71
Recommended Source for L-Glutamine ……………………………………………………74

ADD ADHD Vitamin Resources…………………………………………………………………………..74

My other books…. …………………………………………………………………………………..75

Since the late 1970’s the suspected connection between ADD ADHD and nutrition has been explored by researchers. To date, there are so many reputable studies that indicate that there is a connection, that the influence of nutrition on ADD/ADHD can no longer be ignored. Yet, even with all of the information that is available, the [...]]]>

Since the late 1970’s the suspected connection between ADD ADHD and nutrition has been explored by researchers. To date, there are so many reputable studies that indicate that there is a connection, that the influence of nutrition on ADD/ADHD can no longer be ignored. Yet, even with all of the information that is available, the connection continues to be misunderstood by nutritionists, medical professionals, and individuals who have been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD.

The Studies

There have been literally thousands of studies that have investigated the ADHD nutrition connection. A majority of these studies have been conducted by reputable learning institutions and medical facilities. Many of these experts have found a definitive connection between nutrition and ADHD and this connection has been documented in numerous published studies. Information on only a few of these studies follows.

The remarkable role of nutrition in learning and behavior. This study, authored by Jennifer Dani, Courtney Burrill, and Barbara Demmig-Adams found that:

“The result of this analysis is that nutrition has potent effects on brain function. It is concluded that protein, iron, iodine, and the consumption of breakfast all impact on a child’s learning capability and behaviour. Moreover, recent research has identified additional, potent roles of micronutrients, such as essential fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins, in the prevention of learning and behavioural disorders. Among the latter, this review focuses particularly on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.”

Mental Health: Not All in the Mind—Really a Matter of Cellular Biochemistry, by Chris D. Meletis and Jason Barker.

Artificial Food Coloring Promotes Hyperactivity, by D.W. Schab. Schab and his colleagues found that “children’s behaviour did improve significantly when AFCs (artificial food colorings) were eliminated from their diet. This study was published in The Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics.

Effects of a few food diet in attention deficit disorder, by C M Carter, M Urbanowicz, R Hemsley, L Mantilla, S Strobel, P J Graham, and E Taylor. Carter’s research discovered that “diet can contribute to behavior disorders in children” and that 76% of the children who participated in the study showed improvement after implementing an elimination diet.

Foods and additives are common causes of the attention deficit hyperactive disorder in children. During the course of this study, M. Boris and F.S. Mandel found that there was “a beneficial effect of eliminating reactive foods and artificial colors in children with ADHD. Dietary factors may play a significant role in the etiology of the majority of children with ADHD.”

The Results

Although the above studies are a mere fraction of the available documented research into nutrition and ADD/ADHD, each has found a connection between such nutritional factors as food additives, fatty acids, vitamin and mineral deficiencies and ADD/ADHD. Each study has studied subjects as they participate in elimination diets, nutritional supplementation, and behavioral observations and self-reporting. The studies were conducted using a variety of subjects. Although, because of funding requirements, the majority studies were conducted using young children (young children are the most sought-after focus of ADD/ADHD studies since the majority of new ADD/ADHD diagnoses are children), many studies were conducted using adolescents and adults.

These studies took place at a variety of reputable institutions such as Harvard University, Cornell University, Cornell Medical Center, Oxford University, etc., and are therefore backed by the reputations of these facilities.

Each study found significant improvement in the behavior of the participants once the nutritional deficiency or removal of the food or food additive causing the sensitivity, allergy, or toxic reaction had taken place. In addition to improved behavior and a reduction in what had been previously witnessed as poor attention ability and concentration, many participants were found to have increased in reading ability, motor coordination, and IQ. These improvements were probably due to the ability of the individuals to focus and stay on task.

So, what does all this mean?

It’s impossible to ignore the extensive studies, clinical trials, and personal stories that attest to the fact that, once dietary deficiencies were corrected, the symptoms of ADD/ADHD either improved or disappeared altogether. Even if more research is needed to convince the medical community that, without a doubt, it’s worthwhile to insist that non-medicinal ADHD nutrition interventions be used to treat ADD/ADHD, the evidence is overwhelming enough to indicate that individuals themselves should take the steps necessary to educate themselves and explore the possibilities of a life without medication.

In past articles I have touched on the subject of how our perceptions of food changed over the past few decades. I did this by pointing out how food was viewed in the past.

When asked to describe food [...]]]>

ADHD Chemicals

Understanding the Shifts in Human Nutrition – The Role of Chemicals (Part 1)

In past articles I have touched on the subject of how our perceptions of food changed over the past few decades. I did this by pointing out how food was viewed in the past.

When asked to describe food as a category past generations would very likely have used the following words:

Scarce

Seasonal

Natural

Fresh

Hard work

It does not take a genius to work out that the words used above are a world away from how most of us would describe food today.

Our relationship with what we put in our mouths has been so radically altered that our forebears would probably have shaken their heads in amazement at our strange beliefs and habits.

The problem is that the changes in our perception had some pretty spectacular negative fallouts, the magnitude of which we are only now beginning to understand.

Yet understand them we must, because I firmly believe that many of our modern ailments, including many ADD/ADHD cases, can be traced back to poor food choices.

Over the next few weeks we will examine the impact of some of these choices by focussing on our modern ‘answers’ to perceptions about food listed above. This week we take a look at the wholesale abandoning of the belief that food should be natural.

ADHD Chemicals

It is very difficult to put something in your mouth these days without also taking in quite a few chemicals that were certainly not part of the original composition of your food source. There are several drivers behind this phenomenon. They include:

*‘Protection’ of food sources: Humankind has always tried to protect our food sources, this is evidenced in the fact that scarecrows date back millennia!

Modern man has taken this quest for protection much further by developing a vast array of powerful pesticides to protect food sources. Good crops resulted but at what price?

*The quest for ‘perfection’: Our forebears knew that the shape of a tomato makes no difference to its taste or nutritional value. Apparently we are not that smart! The quest towards ‘perfect’ products not only lead to massive wastage as tons of ‘less than perfect’ food are thrown away every year, it also lead to the application of many chemically based methods to produce uniform food products.

• The hunt for profit: One of the easiest ways that a farmer can increaseprofits is through increased yield i.e. the more grain that you can harvestfrom a field, or the more meat you can cut from an animal, the moremoney you make. It is only a short step from this basic principle ofeconomics to the use of tools like chemicals and/or growth hormones tomake increased yield possible.

The result of all of this is that most of the food that we eat could hardly be described as ‘natural’ by any stretch of the imagination. Most people are not too fazed by this fact since they realize that they are only taking in a tiny amount of a given chemical or pesticide.

The problem is, however, that they are not taking into account the cumulative effect of such products. Most of the chemicals in our diet are completely unnatural and our bodies are therefore very ill equipped to deal with them. This could result in a build up of those chemicals in our system. Bottom line: A few bites of food with minute amounts of harmful chemicals will probably not do too much harm. Thousands of bites over an extended period is another matter however!

The damage that the chemicals in our food wreak does not stop at the plate. We might be getting infinitesimal amounts but the environment isn’t. Many scientists believe that the true extent of the pollution to soil and water sources caused by pesticides will affect human health for generations to come.

It is a sad irony that our society’s blind rush to an endless supply of perfect looking foods have yielded such, if you will pardon the pun, bitter fruits!

Our obsessions with wholesome looking food may have created visually appealing shop aisles but at what price?

Our grandparents used to say: “You are what you eat!” If this is the case then most modern people need to take a long hard look at the chemical composition of what is on their plates. This is especially relevant in the case of people dealing with the effects of ADD ADHD.

When you consider that many cases of ADD/ADHD can be traced back to defective neurotransmitter activity and that neurotransmitters are extraordinarily sensitive to the influence of ‘foreign’ chemicals it just makes sense to carefully monitor the possible sources of such chemicals. With next week article I will try to help you to step up that monitoring as we take a look at some specific examples of harmful chemicals that enter our systems through mass produced food.

I will also make some suggestions on taking back control over the ADHD chemicals content of your meals.

You can be quite sure that previous generations would have used the word ‘natural’ somewhere in the conversation if they were asked to describe the characteristics of food. This is, as we have seen over the past few weeks, far from self evident in modern times. In fact, so many unnatural substances have entered our [...]]]>

You can be quite sure that previous generations would have used the word ‘natural’ somewhere in the conversation if they were asked to describe the characteristics of food. This is, as we have seen over the past few weeks, far from self evident in modern times. In fact, so many unnatural substances have entered our food supply that it takes a real effort to find food for which natural will be the best possible description. This fact should alarm anyone who believes that there is a causal link between nutrition and ADD/ADHD (as research is increasingly confirming). It is also the reason why we are devoting so much attention to the ways in which our perceptions of food are changing and how this is harming us. This week we will continue to look at the ways in which many foods have become unnatural. We will do so by discussing a class of chemicals that are perhaps not as obviously harmful as pesticides (discussed last week) but that can still have a significant negative impact on human health. I am, of course, referring to additives.

Additives are, as the name suggests, chemicals that are added to food to fulfill certain functions. The vast majority of additives in use today are non-natural in the sense that they are artificially created in laboratories and then sold in industrial quantities to food companies. Additives come in three general categories. They are:

• Preservatives: Used to stall or halt natural degenerative processes in food.
• Colorants: Used to make food appear more visually appealing
• Flavorants: Used to enhance the taste of food

The use of all three classes of additives has skyrocketed over the past few decades. If you don’t believe me you are welcome to turn over just about any piece of food packaging in your house to take a look at the ingredients. You are almost certain to find a bunch of complex sounding chemical descriptions or combinations of letters and numbers between the more innocuous ingredients. This industrial scale ‘chemicalization’ of our food supply represents one of the most profound nutritional changes in human history yet it occurred almost by stealth, driven by food companies whose soothing ad campaigns ensured us that they have our best interests at heart. It is easy to see why these companies are so excited about additives. Better tasting, longer lasting and visually appealing foods are sure to increase the ‘bottom line’. We should, however, be very wary of simply accepting the safety claims of these global conglomerates at face value.

It would be rather naïve to think that you can alter the chemical composition of our food supply in dramatic ways and that there would be no negative effect whatsoever. Yet this is what we are constantly being asked to do. Fortunately the consensus that have been so carefully built up by ‘Big Food’ is starting to break down, with more and more scientists pointing out the ways in which additives are influencing everything from digestion, through sleeping patterns, to even human behavior. One of the most disturbing claims that are being made, and one that is of particular relevance to those dealing with the effects of ADD/ADHD, is that some additives (especially some colorants) significantly contribute to the incidence of hyperactivity in children.