| Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder | | | | Institute for Medical Research,(Fisher |
| (ADHD) is characterized by inattention, | | | | Proceedings, Vol 4, No.2) studied the effects |
| impulsivity and, in many cases, | | | | of glyconutritionals in children diagnosed |
| hyperactivity. ADHD affects up to 7% school | | | | with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity |
| age children. Problems with focus, | | | | Disorder. 20 children between ages 5-18 were |
| concentration and impulsivity affect all | | | | studied, with most children prescribed |
| levels of both academic and interpersonal | | | | stimulants at the onset of the study. The |
| function. Secondary problems include low | | | | children were administered glyconutritionals |
| self-esteem, anxiety and problems related to | | | | for 40 weeks from the onset of the study. |
| impulsive, hyperactive behavior. | | | | |
| | | | 11 children completed the 40 week study. 2 of |
| Psychostimulants have been well documented to | | | | 11 children experienced improvement by week |
| improve attention span, but not without risk | | | | 4. This improvement was sustained for the |
| of adverse effects, including loss of | | | | duration of the study. Considerable |
| appetite, headache, stomachache, and mood | | | | improvement was noted in 5 children by week 8 |
| changes. There is a growing concern about | | | | and in 2 children by week 12. One child |
| what appears to be an increasing prescriptive | | | | experienced transient progress by week 16, |
| use of controlled substances in children. | | | | one other child did not appear to exhibit any |
| | | | changes for the duration of the study. |
| Since 1990, prescriptions for methylphenidate | | | | |
| have increased by 500%, while prescriptions | | | | Side effects diminished considerably. A mean |
| for amphetamines have increased 400%. | | | | side effect score dropped from 18.75 to 0 by |
| According to Gene R. Haislip, Deputy | | | | week 40. |
| Assistant Administrator, Drug Enforcement | | | | |
| Administration, ?There is a legitimate place | | | | A second control group was studied; 13 |
| for these drugs, but we have become the only | | | | children were monitored without supplements |
| country in the world where children are | | | | for 12 weeks and then started |
| prescribed a vast quantity of stimulants that | | | | glyconutritional supplements. |
| share virtually the same properties as | | | | |
| cocaine. We must find a better balance?. | | | | Of the 13 children in the control group, 7 |
| | | | exhibited considerable improvement shortly |
| In 1998, a small pilot study was conducted by | | | | after administration of glyconutritional |
| Dykman and Dykman to document the effects of | | | | supplementation. The progress was sustained |
| glyconutritional supplements in children with | | | | for the duration of the study 16 weeks later. |
| ADHD. During the first two weeks of the | | | | |
| study, in children taking glyconutritionals, | | | | These results suggest glyonutritional |
| a decrease was noted in severity of symptoms | | | | supplements may help children by reduction of |
| associated with ADHD. (Integrative | | | | symptoms of ADHD. Glyconutritionals may also |
| Physiological & Behavioral Science; Jan-Mar | | | | play a role in reducing side effects and |
| 1998:33(1): 49-61.) | | | | improving tolerability to medications. |
| | | | Clearly, more formal, and larger studies are |
| Last year, this writer and a team of | | | | needed. |
| professionals, with the support of Fisher | | | | |