Attention Deficit Disorder

“Boys will be boys” or “they’re just excited” are the most commonly heard retorts of exasperated mothers of kids who behave badly.  Many of these children are not acting out of malicious intent, they are just biochemically out of balance.  This common syndrome has generated the name of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) by the medical community.

ADD is a term used to depict children who display characteristics of hyperactivity along with impulsive and/or inattentive behavior(1).  These symptoms may ultimately cause long term problems in learning, socialization, and behavior which will put them at risk for serious psychopathology in adulthood(2).   ADD or ADHD is the most common behavior problem in America, affecting more than 3.5 million children.  The direct cause is still unknown.  However, various factors have been linked to A.D.D. including neurochemical imbalances(3), nutritional deficiencies(4), food allergies(5), hypoglycemia(6), poor eating habits(7), artificial food additives and preservatives(8,9), and environmental chemicals(10).  Unfortunately, the only medical treatments available today are central nervous system stimulants such as Ritalin®.

According to the Physicians Desk Reference®, these medications can produce addictive tendencies and harmful side effects such as nervousness, insomnia, tachycardia and loss of appetite. These drugs function by increasing the level of catecholamines (dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine) available at the synapses in the brain.  Catecholamines are required for adaption to acute and chronic stress and involved in numerous neuro-psychiatric disorders.

ADD is not a new disorder; the symptoms have always been present, only the name has changed. Overactive children were first thought to have minimal brain dysfunction, then they were called hyperkinetic and hyperactive and finally labeled ADD and ADHD.

A.D.D. has become a very controversial issue mainly because of its subjective diagnosis and frequent use of drugs. With this in mind many parents are looking for natural remedies to replace the potentially dangerous drugs.

Deficiencies of essential fatty acids, phospholipids, vitamins, minerals and amino acids have all been identified in children with ADD. Nutritional supplementation is showing great promise for enhancing neurologic function and improving behavior.