| In recent years fewer disorders affecting children have | | | | brain, DMAE helps to regenerate and strengthen |
| received more publicity than ADD and ADHD. ADD | | | | acetylcholine in the brain. Acetylcholine is involved in |
| (Attention Deficit Disorder) and ADHD (Attention Deficit | | | | carrying messages between brain cells and plays a |
| Hyperactivity Disorder) are essentially the same; a | | | | large roll in learning and memory. Taking supplements |
| biological condition based in the brain. New findings | | | | of DMAE has been shown to raise levels of this |
| show that managing this condition may be as simple | | | | crucial neurotransmitter in the brain and leads to |
| as a natural supplement and nutritional balance. | | | | increased memory, concentration and focus. In studies, |
| Parents and teachers alike have been at a loss over | | | | 70% of patients who took DMAE experienced |
| the behavior of children and their inability to focus. The | | | | improvement in attention span and learning ability. |
| incapacity to complete schoolwork and behavioral | | | | Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids are vital |
| problems disrupt the learning process of the individual | | | | for brain function. One such omega-3 that has proven |
| as well as other students in the classroom | | | | effective for ADD/ADHD is DHA. DHA is found in cold |
| environment. Estimates are up to 5% of school | | | | water fish and can be found in seaweed as well, |
| children, more than two million, are affected by ADD | | | | which is used for vegetarian supplements of DHA. |
| ADHD. | | | | DHA is necessary for proper brain function, and the |
| Since their recognition and initial research, ADD and | | | | Western diet generally does not provide the |
| ADHD has been treated by using pharmaceuticals with | | | | necessary levels. Fish oil supplements contain DHA |
| varying results. Complaints of sleeplessness, paranoia, | | | | and are recommended for the treatment of ADHD. |
| anxiety, weight loss and many others comprise the | | | | Diets high in copper and low in zinc create excessive |
| side effects of these medications. These medications | | | | aggression and behavioral challenges. Zinc |
| are not designed to treat or cure ADD/ADHD, only to | | | | supplements were given to children diagnosed with |
| lessen symptoms. There is a growing body of | | | | ADHD in Tehran and after six weeks all showed |
| evidence that these drugs may lead to long term | | | | improvement. A number of studies point to a definite |
| dependence, causing issues in school and the | | | | link between zinc deficiency and ADD/ADHD. |
| workplace. Preliminary studies suggest stimulant | | | | Children with ADD or ADHD are found to nearly |
| medications such as Ritalin could be carcinogenic. | | | | always have a magnesium deficiency as well. This |
| Doctors and researchers are looking into natural | | | | mineral is needed to metabolize sugar and in turn for |
| treatments and gentler options for the relief of ADD | | | | proper brain energy and to fight mental stress. A lack |
| ADHD symptoms and potential causes. What has | | | | of magnesium almost always leads to hyperactivity |
| emerged is the importance of nutritional support for | | | | and aggression. Researchers find that magnesium |
| brain function and how essential nutrients can alleviate | | | | taken internally can lead to a nearly immediate |
| symptoms. In turn, helping children focus with the | | | | decrease in ADD or hyperactive behavior. |
| benefit of supplements may be the breakthrough | | | | Phosphotidylserine has performed well in clinical trials to |
| needed to give parents and school systems a much | | | | treat ADD and ADHD. It promotes cell integrity and |
| needed reprieve. | | | | balance in the brain, leading to active and increased cell |
| The importance of nutrition and the balance of our | | | | to cell communication and improved receptor function. |
| bodies has increasingly become the focus of medical | | | | Study participants were more lucid, possessed better |
| study. Researchers look at deficiencies to find what | | | | memory and were better able to cope while taking |
| plagues us. Everything we ingest, and equally as | | | | phosphotidylserine. |
| important, what we don't, has an impact on how our | | | | As more studies are done, the findings reveal that |
| minds and bodies behave. | | | | many of the potential triggers of ADD and ADHD lie |
| Giving the mind and body a fighting chance is | | | | within the brain chemistry. A diet containing too many |
| imperative to thinking well, which is just one of the | | | | simple carbohydrates and not enough protein or |
| reasons Grape Seed Extract is gaining steam as a | | | | nutrient intake can often induce symptoms mirroring |
| promising treatment for ADD. Grape seed extract is | | | | that of ADHD. Additionally, additives and preservatives |
| an antioxidant with twenty times the working power of | | | | in quick-fix foods often served at schools and by busy |
| vitamin C and more than double that for vitamin E. | | | | parents can aggravate the symptoms of ADD and |
| Investigation into supplements such as DMAE, DHA, | | | | ADHD. It is important to remember that supplements |
| grape seed extract, magnesium, phosphatidylserine, | | | | are not like drugs; they won't deliver an immediate |
| and zinc has also proven to be promising. | | | | result and other health factors must be considered |
| Acting as an anti-oxidant against free radicals in the | | | | along with their intake. |