In this series of articles, we take a look at what you can do or take to prevent, alleviate or cure common ailments naturally. As many complementary and alternative medicine therapies haven't undergone rigorous testing, we base the recommendations here on the amount of evidence that is currently available (indicated with asterisks):
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Natural steps for ADHD (check the evidence rating)
*** Good evidence of a health benefit.
** Some evidence of a health benefit.
* Traditionally used with only anecdotal evidence.
Lifestyle
Cognitive behaviour changes to increase relaxation and focused attention.***
Nutrition
Healthy eating habits with unrefined foods, excluding most food additives, preservatives and colorants***
Vitamins/minerals
These nutrients have been shown to help people with ADHD:
Magnesium**
B vitamins*
Vitamin B6*
Herbal
The following herbs are sometimes used in the treatment of ADHD:
Evening primrose oil*
Echinacea*
Alternative/complementary therapy
The most commonly used complementary approaches to ADHD are:
Meditation**
Exercise**
Discussion
Healthy eating habits with regular, small, wholesome meals and food supplements, where necessary, can go a long way to improve concentration levels.
About 5-10% of schoolgoing children suffer from various degrees of poor concentration. It is four to six times more common in boys than girls. The main theory is that ADHD is caused by a chemical imbalance in the concentration centre of the brain.
Diagnosis made far too easily
ADHD has become a fashionable diagnosis and it is made far too easily and quickly.
The child's whole physical and psychological profile must be evaluated by a team of experts, including a medical doctor, a child psychologist, an eye specialist and a speech therapist before the diagnosis can be made.
Several disorders may seem like attention deficit disorder. First eliminate hearing, speech and visual problems. Disturbed sleep is common in young children and can lead to symptoms of ADHD.
Then eliminate petit mal (absency attacks) epileptic seizures.
In older children you have to consider drug abuse, which can cause slowness and memory disorders. Depression, anxiety, tension and adapting to a new school or a new environment are often incorrectly diagnosed as attention deficit.
Strong psychological component of ADHD
ADHD has a strong psychological component: food intolerance, allergy, micronutrient deficiency, infections, genetic factors, lead and other toxic metals, and psychological factors all play a role in the syndrome.
Why antibiotics might not work
In children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the immune system is often not functioning optimally. These children get a lot of infections and allergies, which aggravate the symptoms of hyperactivity.Taking antibiotics or other pharmaceutical medication aggravates the problem.
Many young children suffer from middle-ear infection, hyperactivity or both. The usual treatment includes antibiotics and grommets. The broad spectrum antibiotic destroys both the beneficial and the harmful bacteria. Research has shown that more than 75% of middle-ear infections are caused by a virus and that antibiotics are ineffectual as treatment.
Taking antibiotics only leads to fungal infections (thrush or candida). Studies at the University of Colorado's Health Science Centre and the Yeshiva Medical School in New York have shown that children with recurring ear infections are three and a half times more prone to hyperactivity.
Overproduction of Candida albicans may very well be the common denominator. The fungus secretes toxins which weaken the immune system and induce more infections. Candida can also cause irritation of the nervous system.
Natural remedies
What to do
1. Diet
Try an elimination diet, preferably with the help of a registered dietician, to determine whether you (or your child) responds negatively to certain foods, colorants or preservatives.
The condition can improve considerably through healthy eating habits with regular, small, low-glycaemic index meals to keep blood-glucose levels constant (low blood sugar increases hyperactivity and leads to poor concentration).
Eating a high-fibre, low-fat breakfast is extremely important.
2. Exercise
Regular exercise is also important to channel built-up energy.
Meditation and other relaxation techniques bring about a marked improvement in the ability to concentrate as well as in quality of life.
What to take
1. Supplements
In addition to healthy eating habits, the following supplements may help (note, however, that this should first be discussed with a healthcare practitioner):
- Foodstate chromium (200microgram), vanadium (50microgram) and molybdenum (200microgram) to keep blood-sugar levels constant
- Calcium, magnesium
- The amino acid taurine
2. Herbal remedies
Consult your doctor or a professional herbal practitioner before using any of the herbs mentioned in the following section, especially if you suffer from a chronic disease or are on other medications. Also read the section on herb safety.
For children, it could help to take a natural alternative to antibiotics (such as Echinacea) for a few weeks, Lactobacillus acidophilus or Bifidobacterium bifidus, a supplement for the respiratory system and wholesome food, including live yoghurt cultures.
In addition, essential fatty acids and a calcium and magnesium supplement could help children with recurring infections.
Children with hyperactivity often have allergies as well. The culprits are usually milk, wheat, chocolate, eggs and cereals. Sugar can also aggravate the condition. Children who have sugar-sensitive symptoms of hyperactivity may have an underlying candida infection.
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