Can the food you eat control the way you behave and think? Yes, it can; because it provides the body with energy and initiates changes in its functioning.

The kind of food you choose to eat makes your body react in different ways. In nutrition the key word is ‘moderation’, and high glycemic foods are no different.

The glycemic value of carbohydrates rates them according to the rate at which they convert to glucose in the body and lead to a surge in blood sugar. High glycemic foods are those with a GI of 70 and above, can affect your body in many ways.

They of course provide you a sudden source of energy and while they may be useful for athletes and weight trainers, for most of us they need to eaten with a bit understanding and planning. The rate at which the blood sugar in the body rises is dependent on several factors and not just the consumption of high glycemic foods.

The body is also affected by the manner in which these foods are prepared and the ratio in which they are consumed with proteins and fats.

Here is the list of top 10 high glycemic foods to be avoided :

1. White bread
2. French fries (Ketchup)
3. Highly refined grains
4. Potato chips
5. Soft drinks
6. Chocolate bars
7. Full fat ice cream
8. Whole milk
9. Breakfast cereals
10. Baked potatoes

While a large percentage of high glycemic foods are also considered as junk food, a lot of foods that have a high glycemic index may surprise you.

For instance watermelon, a fruit which many dieters think will help reduce their weight, is a high glycemic food.

It is important that you understand what high glycemic foods can do to your body and then figure out a way to include high glycemic foods in your diet in small doses. The manner in which high glycemic foods are prepared also affects the blood sugar in the body.

The Blood Sugar Roller Coaster

The blood sugar in your body is a crucial factor in the manner in which it functions and reacts. A sudden rise and fall in blood sugar can make you feel like you are on an emotional roller coaster and out of control. This yo-yo affect leaves the body in a strained condition as you move from an over active state to a more dull state in a very short period of time.

High glycemic foods cause a sudden increase in the level of blood sugar in your body, but this doesn’t last for long, and there is a sudden drop.

This affects the manner in which insulin is regulated in the body. When there is a sudden drop of blood sugar in your body you find it hard to focus and concentrate, you may get fidgety and hyper active as the body tries to balance off the sudden dip in blood sugar.

Now imagine beginning your day with a breakfast rich in high glycemic foods.

You would start your day feeling energetic and on top of the world but after an hour or two when the blood sugar suddenly falls you would feel lethargic, unable to focus and restless. You may find yourself becoming moody or losing your temper for no valid reason; well, you can blame that on the large dose of high glycemic foods you ate.

Interestingly these are also some of the symptoms associated with ADD-ADHD. It is possible to control ADD symptoms by avoiding eating too much of high glycemic foods. Eating a more balanced diet rich in low glycemic foods and proteins is a great way to stay healthy and maintain a steady emotional state.

It is a great idea to keep the glycemic index in mind when planning your meals. Try avoiding eating too much of ‘white’ foods that are highly refined and processed.  Also replace high glycemic snacks such as potato chips and soft drinks with fresh fruits and nuts.

High glycemic foods should be eaten in moderation not only by diabetics and people who want to lose weight, but everyone who wants to feel and live healthy. By making simple changes to your daily meals you can change the way you feel and behave. Once you are off the emotional roller coaster that high glycemic foods put you on, you will feel better and in more control of your emotions and reactions.

Then, perhaps it is time to take a closer look at your diet and analyze what you are eating and how it is affecting your body and mind. The food you consume not only appeases your hunger pangs and taste buds, but also affects the manner in which your body functions.

When high glycemic foods are consumed there is a surge in the level of blood sugar in the body, but after that there is a sudden fall in the blood sugar, and it is this high and low in the glucose levels that hamper one’s ability to pay attention and focus.

Some people call this the “Blood Sugar Roller Coaster”

This is one roller coaster you do NOT want to ride.

Hypoglycemia, or the sudden fall in the blood sugar leads to several physical and psychological affects.

The Glycemic Index

The glycemic index was devised as a way to rate and rank carbohydrates on the manner in which they are converted into blood sugar in the body. The foods that are quickly digested and break down into blood sugar are high glycemic foods, while those that take a longer time to digest and release blood sugar gradually are low glycemic foods.

Low glycemic foods were initially recommended for people with diabetes and later for those who wanted to lose weight without depriving themselves of food and nutrition. It has also been observed that high glycemic foods affect our ability to pay attention and focus.

Affects of High Glycemic Foods

High glycemic foods such as

•    white bread
•    baked potatos
•    instant rice
•    whole milk
•    Watermelon
•    “Junk Foods”
•    Foods High in Sugar
•    Ketchup

… are digested quickly in the human body. To understand the affects of high glycemic foods we need to first comprehend how food is digested and used in the body.

Once carbohydrate digestion takes place in the body, it is converted to glucose and the blood sugar level rises. The rate at which it spikes is dependent on the kind of carbohydrates you consume.

In case of high glycemic foods, the rise in blood sugar is rapid. Once such a sudden rise occurs in the body, it is followed by a sharp fall, the glucose regulation is disturbed and this in turn affects the insulin level in the body.

With constant disturbance in the glucose regulation in the body the ability to pay attention and focus is reduced. In fact some studies also indicate that memory impairment is related to improper glucose regulation in the body.

When high glycemic foods are consumed there is a surge in the level of blood sugar in the body, but after that there is a sudden fall in the blood sugar, and it is this high and low in the glucose levels that hamper one’s ability to pay attention and focus.

Some people call this the “Blood Sugar Roller Coaster”

This is one roller coaster you do NOT want to ride.

Hypoglycemia, or the sudden fall in the blood sugar leads to several physical and psychological affects.

To begin with the person is unable to concentrate properly, losses attention easily, becomes hyperactive and tends to become moody or emotionally unstable.

Does that sound familiar to you?

Imagine eating a breakfast primarily of high glycemic foods such as white bread, sugar cereal, muffins, or donuts. After eating a breakfast that mainly features such high GI foods your blood sugar would peak, making you feel on top of the world, and then shortly it would crash, leaving feeling low, unfocused and unable to keep your concentration for long.

Now imagine a child going to school after such a breakfast, it wouldn’t be surprised if his teacher thinks he is hyperactive, inattentive and moody.

Interestingly, these are also the symptoms of ADD-ADHD and it is not uncommon for children and people who are showing the affects of consuming high glycemic foods to be considered ADD-ADHD affected.

Simply by changing the foods you include in your daily diet you can increase your ability to pay attention and concentrate.

A Low Glycemic Diet

A low glycemic diet can help you get of the rollercoaster ride that high glycemic rides initiate in your body. The sudden rise and fall in blood sugar not only leaves you feeling inattentive and unable to concentrate, but also affects your emotional state and your self confidence.

A low glycemic diet does not restrict you from eating high glycemic foods, but recommends that you eat them in moderation and eat a healthy and balanced diet.

Eating low glycemic foods can help you feel more in control of your feelings, and cognition. Thus starting your day with low glycemic foods such as whole wheat breads, eggs, ham and whole fruits, would give you a regulated level of blood sugar that would be maintained in the body and leave you feeling balanced and ready to take on the world.

It is also advised that you plan out your meals well in advance and not give in to a hankering for French fries or a donut. Healthy snacks such as fresh fruits, nuts and seed and whole grain sandwiches are nutritious, filling and satisfying.

High glycemic foods need to be recognized for the affects they have on your body so that you can consume them in moderation and can balance out their affect with other foods.  It is important that you give your body and mind a head start by providing it nutrition with well balance and nutritious meals.

Learn from this and apply “Step # 1” AVOID THE BAD!

Don’t complicate this.

Simply learn to make better choices about what you eat…. And recognize how different foods effect you!

There are over 50 conditions that mimic ADD-ADHD, but non-stable blood sugar levels is one of the most notorious culprits.

Most kids experiencing ADD symptoms like fidgeting, anxiousness, and irritability can be linked to a “bad” glycemic diet.

This article will introduce you to the “GI” and how you can do simple things to eliminate your ADD-ADHD symptoms.

note: No drug should be taken for ADD-ADHD until this approach has been tested.

What is a ‘Low Glycemic’ diet? (for ADD ADHD)

The low glycemic diet was created on the basis of the glycemic index, which is a method of ranking carbohydrates. The glycemic index was first introduced by Dr. David J. Jenkins in 1981. It was primarily formed to assist diabetics control their blood sugar. Glycemic index essentially explains how certain foods, specifically carbohydrates, generate a rise in blood sugar in the body.

The foods that are given a low GI or Glycemic Index rank increase blood sugar gradually, unlike high GI foods that lead to a rapid increase in blood sugar. A sudden increase in blood sugar leads to an increase in the insulin flow in the body.

A low glycemic diet is usually prescribed for diabetics, people with weight issues and high cholesterol. The low glycemic diet is the basis for several popular diet plans such as The Zone, Sugar Busters, Glucose Revolution and SouthBeach. The GI value of a food is measured by calculating the increase in blood sugar after eating a 50 gram portion of carbohydrate.

Most carbohydrates are digested and converted into glucose in the human body. This production of glucose increases the blood sugar in the body. There are several factors that lead to the different levels of blood sugar stimulated in the body after eating carbohydrates and this includes the method of cooking and the amount the carbohydrate is already processed before it is consumed. Therefore white bread would lead to a sudden increase in blood sugar, whilst consuming brown bread would cause a more gradual increase.

Why is the Low Glycemic Diet Effective?

The low glycemic diet is found to be effective for people who want to control their blood sugar because the carbohydrates take longer to be digested and produce blood sugar. And for people, who wish to lose weight, low GI foods make you feel full for a longer period of time and hence you don’t have the urge to snack or overeat. On the other hand, high GI foods lead to a rapid rise in blood sugar, causing sudden hormonal changes. This also means that these foods are quickly digested, making you feel hungry soon.

A low glycemic diet doesn’t advocate consumption of only GI foods but in fact recommends that you mix high and low glycemic foods in your diet to create a balance. This also ensures that you receive balanced nutrition.

A low glycemic diet does not restrict you from eating more than a certain portion, but in fact you can eat as much as you wish to, as these foods are healthy and nutritious. Low glycemic foods that you can splurge on include whole fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes and lean protein. It is recommended that highly processed foods and white flour be avoided on a low glycemic diet.

A low glycemic diet focuses more on nutrition and balanced diet than on hard and fast rules regarding what you can eat on the diet. For instance while corn and fruit juices have a high GI value they are nutritious and can be made part of the low glycemic diet too.

Is a Low Glycemic Diet Useful for ADD-ADHD People?
Research indicates that diet treatment for ADD-ADHD has the same affect as drug treatment. In fact it is has been seen that increasing the nutritional intake of children leads to increase in self-control and attention, as much as that improved by Ritalin treatment.

It is found that most people with ADD-ADHD have glucose metabolism problems. Research suggests that in people with ADD-ADHD the regulatory hormones, that keep glucose level in check, are found to be inadequate. And hence a surge in blood sugar is not controlled effectively. This in turn leads to sudden fall in blood sugar, which is associated with decreased brain activity and inability to focus. In such instances children with ADD-ADHD were found to benefit from diets that were low in refined carbohydrates.

A low glycemic diet can help ADD-ADHD people because:

•    It helps control blood sugar levels.
•    Reduces sudden increase and decrease in blood sugar.
•    Lowers HbA1c.
Thus the low glycemic diet would help regulate the flow of blood sugar in the body of a person and this is an effective way of controlling the symptoms of ADD, instead of resorting to drug intervention.

It is recommended that ADD-ADHD people and children incorporate the low glycemic diet to their diet and include foods like oatmeal, puffed wheat, cream of wheat, bran flakes and corn flakes in their breakfast. Meals that should be a part of one’s daily diet should include vegetables with low GI include broccoli, mushrooms, cabbage, lettuce, pumpkin, beets, carrots and peas. Whole grain breads are also recommended on a low glycemic diet. A low glycemic diet can empower people with ADD-ADD to overcome its symptoms.

We are now allowing people to join the membership site directly without having ordered the book.

If you have ordered the book in the past you will be entitled to LIFETIME UPDATES to this valuable resource.

We will continue to update the digital version of the book and you will be able to download new versions as long as you are a member.

To get the latest version simply contact support.  We will look up your order and send you the latest digital version.

If you are a member and want to get a copy of the book, you may order one here!  http://3stepsadd.com

I now have been taking this supplement daily for 3 years! (3 pills on an empty stomach in the AM)

It helps me focus and give me a calm, peaceful feeling… allowing me to accomplish all the tasks on my list daily.

Listen to this audio and learn more about these “little-known” supplements here

http://neu-be-calm.com

click the play button below.

I put this article in the “Step #1 – Avoid The Bad” because we must avoid ignorance about the reality of ADD-ADHD.

It is a real problem that must be understood.

ADD ADHD affected my relationships and finding love

It sure did, I don’t doubt it one bit. I remember a very beautiful brunette young lady I was dating back in, oh 1989. She was intelligent, funny and absolutely gorgeous. She liked me. I didn’t know it and I blew it.

The worst part of this story, the devastating reality, will be the fact I was oblivious to the fondness this girl had for me. Thinking about it right now, I still feel like an imbecile. I know I shouldn’t, but no matter how much I learn about Attention Deficit Disorder I still feel like I should have recognized the signs. I mean really—it’s just so obvious looking back on those days. It’s no wonder that many people with ADD or ADHD complain of and seem to have post traumatic stress syndrome! We remember and rehash mistakes constantly—it’s painful, it hurts, it is absolutely agonizing, especially those memories which are the most emotional and closest to our hearts.

It was at a café, the first time I noticed her. She was sitting across the room at a table by the window. It was a glorious day and the sun was making her hair shine with tiny sparks of reflection. She was laughing with friends. It was a nice laugh, a real laugh, an honest laugh of someone just being herself. She captured my attention by bedazzling me with her natural charm. She was infectious. Alas, the dilemma started before I met her, the negative belief, the reality I felt that this person would not be interested in someone like me, she could be with anyone.

Sitting there, at the café, so beautiful, she had many friends around her, she was a socializer and I wasn’t. It would be too much effort to get to know her, to be a part of her world, I was only looking at her and I already felt overwhelmed. I left the money for my breakfast on the table and walked for the door. As I went to the door I walked by her table and I could not help but look at her one final time and as I did she looked up at me and stared me directly into my eyes. Before I knew it I walked into the door. Hard. The embarrassment overshadowed the pain in my shoulder. Perfect.

I cursed myself for a long time! The humiliation would never subside. 18 years later and I can still feel it.

But that’s not the end of this story. I met her. Indeed, although I rarely frequented that café previous to first seeing her, I soon became a regular, having breakfast there almost daily. You guessed right—I hoped to see her again and I did. Her and her friends had breakfast there regularly and over time I guess we got to know each other just because we became familiar sites to each other. As it happened, a friend of mine joined me for breakfast one morning and I pointed her out. He knew her! Against my will – sort of, he introduced me to her. She was so nice and really seemed to be happy to meet me. She laughed and smiled and was very interested in who I was. She asked so many questions and before I knew it we were saying hello each morning and sharing small talk in passing. Then one morning, as fate would have it, she was having breakfast alone, her friends were not there. And then we started having breakfast together regularly—her friends seemed to have somehow disappeared.

We did that for months, just meeting in the mornings at the café and talking about trivial things. We were becoming friends. Then she invited me over to her house and I met her family. They were so nice and treated me as if I was some kind of prince. More time passed and we seemed to share everything together, we met every day and took very long walks together. It seemed as though time had stopped and the world was ours and then our time did stop, the dream was over and we would never spend time together again.

Why?

The reality is I have Attention Deficit Disorder and I attribute ADD and not knowing I had ADD to many of the failures and mistakes I have made in my life. It is not an excuse. It is a reality. One of the reasons ADD and ADHD is a problem is because it can distort actuality by ‘hiding’ the cues people use to communicate. I am not talking about speech – the spoken word. I am talking about recognizing what is going on without being told, without someone spelling it out. Another important thing to understand and realize about either ADD or ADHD, over time, the criticism, the mistakes, the failures, take their toll which can, and most often does, produce low self-esteem.

~Bryan

It seems that big drug companies will go to any length to score big profits.

Creating “ADD Support Groups” like CHADD to shamelessly promote their deadly drugs in the form of “education”.

Interesting… huh?

Ritalin is old news now… now the drug of choice is Adderall, and it is even worse than ritalin!

Check out the article below  – Jon Bennett

Nestor Sosa spent three years and $40,000 fighting to get his son off Ritalin.

Ritalin, an amphetamine-like drug used to treat ADD, or attention deficit disorder, is prescribed to an estimated 4 million American schoolchildren each year.

But Sosa thought his son shouldnt be among them. The boys mother and school both felt Ritalin, which helps some kids to concentrate, would assist the youngster in overcoming some of his learning difficulties.

Sosa, of Chatsworth, Calif., believes his son, now 14, never had ADD. He thinks the boy was a victim of a trend in this country to diagnose normal juvenile behavior as a disease.

ADD is like a catchall, says Sosa, who took his ex-wife to court over their sons Ritalin use.

Nobody could give me a straight answer and nobody could define ADD. Sosas conflict with well-meaning doctors and educators reflects a growing controversy about whether ADD and its variant, attention deficit (hyperactivity) disorder, are being over-diagnosed causing children to be drugged for no reason.

Conspiracy to Over-Diagnose?

In fact, a class-action lawsuit against Ritalin manufacturer Novartis, the American Psychiatric Association and the parents group Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder alleges the company fraudulently overpromoted the diagnosis of ADD/ADHD in collusion with the two organizations to boost drug sales.

The action, filed in a state court in Brownsville, Texas, in May, seeks unspecified damages against Novartis, charging, among other things, that the Basel, Switzerland-based company failed to adequately warn the public of Ritalins impact on childrens cardio-vascular and nervous systems.

Several hundred Texas parents have signed on as plaintiffs, but are not discussing the case with the press.

Sosa is not involved in the lawsuit.

The suit alleges that the American Psychiatric Association has expanded the definition of ADD/ADHD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV, the handbook of psychiatric diseases, over time so that more and more children would fall into this category.

Additionally, it claims the drug company encourages the diagnosis of ADD/ADHD and its treatment with Ritalin by economically supporting both CHADD and the psychiatric association…..

ABC News: Did Company Overpromote ADD/ADHD, Ritalin?

If he did, he probably dismissed it saying that he has never had any problems!?

In this quick tip I will explain the 3 most common mistakes parents make with their children on a daily basis…. that leads to failure in school.

When I say failure in school, I mean….

• bad grades
• poor behavior
• can’t sit still
• too many parent/teacher conferences

… you know what I mean, right?

OK!  Here is the top 3 mistakes.

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1. Breakfast – High glycemic breakfast.  Many parents allow their kids to eat cereal that is high in sugar and low in nutritional value.  NO protein in their breakfast. (protein is a must for preventing ADD symptoms).  WORST- No breakfast at all
2. TV – watching TV before school is a really BAD idea.  Its like driving on the highway at 70 mph and then being stuck in stop and roll traffic… You get agitated and cannot sit still. (sound familiar?)
3. NO vitamin supplementation – Even if you get a decent breakfast high in protein… you will still need vitamin supplementation.  1.  A High quality Multi-Vitamin AND 2. A High Quality ADD-ADHD Specific Vitamin (read more about this under “Step #2″)

Hi guys,

Jon Bennett here here bringing you an advance copy of Steven Stephens new book called the 17 secret ADD Vitamins.

I’m going to go ahead and warn you that this is a rough draft and there are lot of formatting errors.

But I wanted to go ahead and get a copy into my member’s hands.

As soon as the final version comes out you will have access to that as well.

I am also negotiating a special discounted price on the new Attentionall supplement that will be only available to members.

Here is the “Advanced Copy Rough Draft” .pdf Download. (right click and “save target as”)

One of the comments I get a lot… “I don’t care how it works, I just want something that will work for my family.”

Well, here’s the bottom line…

What Does Jon Do?

Attention Deficit Disorder or ADD is a condition that often goes undiagnosed and untreated. It is also a condition that affects your academic and professional life and place obstacles in your path to success. The good news is that ADD can be controlled with diet change and with proper medication and vitamins. I too have ADD and am able to control its affect by the changes I have made to my diet and by using certain ADD vitamins. I have greatly benefited and would like other people affected by ADD to take advantage of my research and knowledge.

Few people know that ADD drugs can cause cardiovascular conditions and essentially suppress the symptoms of ADD rather than provide a solution. I have found a great way to handle by understanding how food and nutrition affects ADD and can help control its symptoms.

I Eat Protein for Breakfast

The building blocks of protein are amino acids that are essential for proper brain functioning.  Amino acids facilitate the production of neurotransmitters that ensure proper communication between brain cells leading to smooth change from thought to action. ADD is basically caused by a lack of neurotransmitters, this leaves you feeling uneasy, restless, and unable to pay attention and feel well.

I prefer to begin my day with proteins and my breakfast consists of protein rich foods. A high protein and lower carbohydrate breakfast is recommended. I get my dose of protein early in the day, and this helps my body get ready for it. Some of the foods you could include in your breakfast are eggs, dairy products and soy. Yogurt in particular is recommended by dieticians. Protein shakes are also useful in adding this vital nutrient in your breakfast.

It is also found that ADD children and adults are prone to food allergies and hence it is important that such foods are identified and avoided.

ADD Vitamin I Take

I take Neu BeCALM’d (www.neu-be-calm.com) and find it to be extremely effective. Neu BeCALM’d is safe to take and consists of natural ingredients. It can also be used by children with ADD. Neu BeCALM’d essentially consists of phenylalanine, which is an essential amino acid. It is vital that you receive it in your diet or as an added vitamin.

Phenylalanine is crucial for people like me and you, who have ADD, as it reduces adrenalin levels in the body and calms it down. In Neu BeCALM’d two forms of phenylalanine are combined to slow down the absorption and provide the best affect. I take my ADD vitamin before breakfast and again at mid afternoon.

Absorbable Vitamins

Research indicates that children with ADD lack in essential vitamins and nutrients. Therefore, people with ADD need to ensure that they provide their bodies with adequate vitamin and minerals in the recommended dosage. Unfortunately most vitamins we take in are not absorbed well and are thrown out of the body.

I take Biometics absorbable vitamins (http://absorbable-vitamins.com/) to ensure that my body receives the much needed nutrition. Biometics vitamins are water soluble and so once your body has absorbed the amount it requires the rest is thrown out naturally; thus, ensuring that a vitamin overdose is avoided in the body. I take my vitamin drink first thing in the morning and before I go to bed at night. Balanced nutrient intake help my body stay healthy and keep me focused.

Controlling My Blood Sugar

When sugar is ingested, insulin is released by the pancreas. Insulin stops the blood sugar from rising beyond a certain range. In adults and children with ADD and ADHD, these hormones were secreted in lesser amounts. Thus a drop in blood sugar reduces brain activity in people and children with ADD. Research indicates that ADD children place themselves in situations that make them hyperactive in order to make heir adrenal glands secrete more hormones. Dr. David Williams recommends that people with ADD avoid foods rich in sugar and carbohydrate.

Interestingly the ADD symptoms are quite similar to that of hypoglycemia, a condition where blood sugar is low due to rise and fall in insulin level in the body; this usually occurs due to excess intake of refined sugar.  It is thus important to reduce the amount of sugar and processed food that I eat. I also prefer to eat more fruits and vegetables that are high in nutrients and fiber.

Researchers such as Hertha Hafer have found that some foods can make the symptoms of ADD worse. These include foods rich in phosphate. Phosphate is frequently used in food preparation and is used in preservative, emulsifiers, stabilizers and thickeners. Processed food and junk food thus can increase the symptoms of ADD. It is also found in soda and colas as phosphoric acid. And hence I prefer to avoid these.

In this special report we will explore the origins of ADD-ADHD and discuss some of the facts that you are NOT being told by your Doctor…. but if you do not understand, could cost you and your family a lot of harm and heartache.  You will also learn…

• Why Everyone is ADD-ADHD
• How ADD-ADHD was voted into existence
• ADD-ADHD is nothing but a group of characteristics

WHAT IS ADD-ADHD AND WHY EVERYONE IS A LITTLE BIT ADD-ADHD

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is said to be one of the most alarming and misconstrued of all medical conditions. Although there have been more than 200 scientific papers published on this condition each year, it still remains controversial and stigmatized.

Let’s take a look at what exactly is ADHD and what is it not and why nearly everyone is ‘fit’ to be called as suffering from ADHD

ADHD- What is it and what is it not

The earliest mention of ADHD goes back to 1902 when a certain Dr. Still came across considerable behavioral difficulties in various children. He soon recognized the fact that these behaviors were not related to poor parenting or any kind of brain damage. However, when a flu pandemic broke out there were many instances of people having neurological difficulties. In the 1930s this was termed as ‘minimal brain damage’ but was later known as ADHD.

As years rolled by, people were still under the notion that people suffering from ADHD, basically have a minimal brain damage which was due to neurological or parenting reasons. During late 50s-early 60s, studies conducted by various scientists concluded that there wasn’t any actual brain damage but rather a ‘minimal brain dysfunction’.

There were signs of hope when the original reasons for ADHD started surfacing. It was after Canadian researcher named Virginia Douglas conceptualized this condition as ‘attention deficit’. It was only in 1980 that 3rd edition, of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) published Diagnostic and Statistical Manual DSM-III coined the term ‘Attention Deficit Disorder with or without Hyperactivity’. Finally, in 1987 the term ‘Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder’ came into being.

In 1994, APA published the 4^th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV). According to the manual, three basic patterns of behavior were noticed in people with ADHD. They might show any one or all three symptoms of

• Inattentiveness
• Hyperactivity
• Impulsivity

Some signs of Inattention include

• Becoming easily disturbed by extraneous sounds or sights
• Inability to be attentive to important details and making senseless mistakes
• Not following given instructions completely and carefully
• Forgetting or losing things like pencils, books, toys, or any other tools needed for a task
• Reluctance to engage in tasks requiring sustained mental effort.
• Strong likes and dislikes

DSM has mentioned specific guidelines for determining when they signify ADHD. Based on the DSM-IV three types of ADHD have been identified

• Combined Type: if the individual demonstrates inattentiveness and hyperactivity and impulsivity for the past 6 months
• Predominantly Inattentive Type: if the individual demonstrates inattentiveness but not hyperactivity and impulsivity for the past 6 months
• Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type: if the individual demonstrates hyperactivity and impulsivity but not inattentiveness for the past 6 months

Today, in America alone there are almost 750,000 children diagnosed with ADHD. These people are often termed as lazy, stupid, wild, disorganized, and woozy on drugs or out of control. However, the reality is on the whole very complex, and deeply moving. Many times adults tend to live much of their lives without understanding what is wrong with them. In recent times, ADHD is growing to be one of the most diagnosed behavioral disorders in not only little children but adults as well.

Since there is no definite medical test for diagnosing ADHD, the diagnosis of ADHD has turned very subjective. The point to be considered is that ADHD is not all about attention deficiency; it is actually the inability to control attention, hyperactive and impulsivity tendencies. People suffering from ADHD could have a problem when it comes to being attentive towards an activity or a conversation they find boring. On the other hand when they are engrossed in an activity of interest or in which they demonstrate their skills and strengths, they actually hyperfocus, which means possessing the ability of focusing on an activity to the extent of excluding everything else. In other words, ADHD is also situational.

If after reading the DSM-IV symptoms and the various traits of an ADHD individual, you are of the notion that almost everyone is a little bit ADHD, you are not wrong. Many people experience these symptoms to a certain degree in their day to day life.

With the improved screening tools, there is a growing awareness about ADHD everywhere. For instance Dr. Lenard Adler, a psychiatrist at the New York University rightly is of the view that with the growing awareness as more and more children are being diagnosed; more parents are realizing the characteristics in themselves and getting screened. Most people show signs of ADD-like traits in day to day situations. This becomes an attention deficit disorder only when it starts negatively affecting his/her life.

However, by applying the “3 Steps To Conquering ADD-ADHD”, both, adults and children with ADHD can no only control their symptoms, but use their ADD-ADHD their advantage and lead fulfilled and happy lives.

Click To Play

Action Steps: How to Apply This Information Given the fact that ADD-ADHD is nothing but a set of characteristics… literally voted into existence… 1.  Don’t fall into labeling yourself ADD-ADHD.  You are really not inferior to everyone else.  In other words, don’t damage your self image or your child’s by constantly referring to your “ADD”. (Suggested Reading: Psycho Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz) 2.  Just because you have ADD-ADHD characteristics does NOT mean that you need to medicate!

This is what I call the “Finish It Rule’’

It’s a common thing with Adult ADHD. For me, it’s about 75%. I get the thing launched…it’s going well enough to exist, but it’s not really polished. So, what I did is, I recently hired someone, and their only job is to finish all the stuff that I don’t finish.

They’re happy, because they’re learning about all the really cool, creative things that I’m doing, and how to pull things like this together. This person is very, very organized, very meticulous, doesn’t have Adult ADHD like me, and is very good at just sitting down and focusing on something until it’s done, regardless. I’ll tell you, he’s one of the most valuable people in my company. I can’t believe how well it’s working. He’s finishing all the stuff that I’ve left unfinished.

I’d like to bring up another point here, which is something people with Adult ADHD need to ask themselves: “Does everything actually have to get done?” “Does everything you start have to end up finished?”…

Answer: The direct answer to that is, “No. It absolutely does not.” It’s okay to leave some things unfinished if it’s not going to impact you financially, spiritually, emotionally or mentally in a way that’s very negative. How many times have you heard, “You’ve got to finish what you start”? We hear it from parents, teachers, everybody. They are usually really focused people without Adult ADHD, who only start one project at a time.

If you are a highly creative person with Adult ADHD you automatically start multiple projects at a time, and you should set an expectation for yourself that not all of your projects are going to be finished… or be amazingly successful. But some will — and in the end that’s all anyone can say — Adult ADHD or no Adult ADHD.

When to Drop a Project

Here’s the other side of that question. If you’re at 85% done and you just can’t finish a project, you’ve got to ask yourself:

“Is this project worth finishing?”

Answer: If you say, “No,” drop it. Immediately.

Answer: Yes. If you say, “Yes. It is worth finishing. I’m just having trouble with this last 15%,” you know what you do? Of course, you use all the Adult ADHD focus principles that we’ve talked about before…

Find out if there is someone without Adult ADHD, who can help you finish it. Or, if you’re the only one who can do it, you use all of the other tricks and techniques:

• Involve all your senses.
• Set a deadline for yourself with rewards.
• Set timers.
• Do mini-deadlines.
• Chunk It – (break everything “bite-size” chunks)

In fact, all those things we just mentioned–using senses, mini-deadlines, and timers, are great techniques for focusing with Adult ADHD.

L-Tyrosine deficiency…

Tyrosine deficiency might bring about a variety of conditions like weakness, muscle loss, mood disorders, liver damage, and low protein levels. These low levels have been linked to low body temperature, hypothyroidism (low thyroid function), depression, and low blood pressure. Some symptoms of tyrosine deficiency can also include restless leg syndrome and low body temperature (like cold hands and feet).

Benefits

After certain studies conducted in the mid 1980s there were many speculations about the beneficial aspects of tyrosine in treating Parkinson’s disease, as it increases the levels of dopamine in the brain. Low levels of dopamine are known to bring about various symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Then again, this has never been substantiated and it is still uncertain as to how well would oral administration of tyrosine enter the brain. Today, some medications for Parkinson’s disease incorporate tyrosine together with other chemicals.

Tyrosine is usually helpful in resisting stress, building up adrenaline stores, alleviating depression, and increasing mental concentration. Hypothetically, excessive intake of L-Tyrosine supplements could also contribute to hyperactivity so doctors are always advised to be cautious while prescribing is required.

In the 1980 issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry, Dr. Alan Gelenberg of Harvard Medical School published a study discussing the role of tyrosine in the control of depression and anxiety. He claimed that inadequate tyrosine causes norepinephrine deficiency at a specific place in the brain that is associated with mood problems like depression. Children who were administered with tyrosine supplementation showed a noticeable improvement in their mood stability and mental performance.

Tyrosine has the ability to assist the body in building the natural stock of adrenaline in the body and cope with stress. If you are ever in need of an amino acid to cope with your stress, you need tyrosine. It not only helps little kids and teens but also helps adults with mood disorders and depression. The dosage for a child could range from 200 mg to 500 mg.

L-Tyrosine – Beneficial in treating ADHD

Various studies have been conducted on the efficiency of amino acids on the treatment of ADHD. Since L-Tyrosine is an amino acid that is used for synthesizing norepinephrine and dopamine (neurotransmitters involved in ADHD), it plays a major role in the treatment. Some studies show that children suffering from ADHD usually have low levels of this amino acid.

L-Tyrosine is known to increase the amount of norepinephrine and dopamine available in our brain. As mentioned earlier, supplementing it with other nutrients can easily alleviate many symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, if the root cause is a combination complicated of factors, other companion treatments could be required.

Dr Slagle, an inactive Honorary Assistant Clinical Professor at the Neuropsychiatric Institute (University of California Los Angeles) considers tyrosine as an essential amino acid for converting the mood elevating neurotransmitters dopamine & norepinephrine in our brain. According to her, low moods are due to action of the prescribed antidepressant drugs and depletion some neurotransmitters. However, there could be possibilities of side effects of the drugs.

Additionally, tyrosine is converted to thyroid hormone and adrenaline. Chronic stress diverts tyrosine to excessive adrenaline production, which results in decreased norepinephrine, & thyroid levels. It is only in some cases that the body has plenty of tyrosine for all the essential body functions.

Supplements

The standard dose of tyrosine is 1000 milligrams every time a mental or physical boost is required. L-Tyrosine supplements are to be taken no less than 30 minutes before meals, in 3 doses everyday. Always remember to take the supplements with a multivitamin-mineral complex as vitamins copper, B6, and B9 (folate) helps in converting L-tyrosine into essential brain chemicals.

Total amount of tyrosine taken in one day should never exceed 12,000 mg. Tyrosine should not be taken during the time an individual is taking levodopa medication (used for treating Parkinson’s disease) as it may intervene with the absorption of tyrosine. Tyrosine could elevate blood pressure. Avoid using it with over-the-counter dietary medications.

In addition, even though tyrosine has been linked with an under active thyroid, low blood pressure, and low body temperature ingesting tyrosine supplements would not necessarily keep these ailments at bay.

This article is excerpted from the highly acclaimed Book by Steven Stephens, Director of Research at the ADD Research Institute.  This book is available Free to
“3 Steps” Members in the “Download Area

Nick is elated. He has just landed an internship with a prestigious national daily. In addition, he is already daydreaming about the time when he will be interviewing top officials, writing stinging reports and seeing his by-line appear every morning.

However, Janet, Nick’s mother, is a worried woman. She feels that Nick might not be able to execute his tasks efficiently. This is because right from his childhood, Nick has suffered from low levels of concentration. He is also very forgetful. During his school days, Nick was labelled as ‘Irritable brat’. This is because Nick used to get irritated at the slightest of things. However, what his teachers and co-students failed to realize was that Nick was suffering from ADD-ADHD [Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity]

ADD-ADHD is a neurological ailment wherein the sufferer finds it difficult to concentrate on his work. He is restless and finds it very difficult to concentrate on a single task. ADD-ADHD sufferers also become irritated very often and this can cause tensions in one’s workplace as well as on the personal front.

Modern science has come up with many curative medicines for treading ADD-ADHD. However, most of these medicines damage the brain and might also lead to death….

So, if you are interested in adopting a natural cure, you should aim to increase your vitamin intake. And Thiamin [Vitamin B1] should be accorded a place of prime importance.

Now, you will wonder, “ How can vitamins help in curing ADD-ADHD?” Research has proved that vitamins have a vital say in our behavior. So, you can safely assume that a deficiency of vitamins can be blamed for Nick’s low levels of concentration.

When one talks about vitamins, Thiamin [Vitamin B1] assumes a place of great importance. The brain derives its energy by the metabolism of glucose. The metabolism takes place inside the tiny cells of the brain and the entire process is divided into three stages. Various enzymes are responsible for carrying out the metabolism of sugar. However, these enzymes require a partner or an ‘activating enzyme’. Thiamin happens to be one of the main partners that aid the production of energy required by the brain.[1]

Thiamin also aids in the production of chemicals that help in synthesizing chemicals such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine.[2] While the deficiency of dopamine can lead to ADD-ADHD related symptoms; the lack of norepinephrine can lead to the occurrence of depression. [3]

Medical practitioners believe that the deficiency of Thiamin can aggravate ADD-ADHD conditions. For instance, lack of thiamin inhibits the production of Myelin, which is nothing but a protective cover around the nerves. Lack of Thiamin can make the nerves hypersensitive and in case of human beings, this hypersensitiveness gets displayed in the form of increased frequency of irritation. A person becomes more listless and finds it difficult to remember things. [4]

Research conducted by L. Langseth in his study titled ‘Glucose tolerance and hyperkinesis. Food and Cosm Toxicology’ establishes the fact that insufficient quantities of Thiamin can increase irritability and a person might become hypersensitive to noise.[5]

The effects of lack of sufficient quantities of Thiamin can be gauged by a report published by the WHO [World Health Organization]. The report titled ‘Thiamine Deficiency And Its Prevention And Control In Major Emergencies’ states that, “Williams (1961) reported that thiamine deficiency usually presented a symptom complex with three main features: (1) those of peripheral neuritis; (2) those of cardiac insufficiency; and (3) a generalized tendency to oedema. Among a large number of cases of thiamine deficiency every possible blend of these three sets of symptoms were encountered. Important additional signs accompanying the peripheral neuropathy are fatigue, decreased attention span and impaired capacity to work.[6]

Sufficient quantities of Thiamin will ensure an adequate production of Myelin that can reduce the hypersensitivity of the nerves. In a research conducted by Lonsdale and Shamberger, lack of thiamin deficiency was the main cause for the presence of ‘symptoms similar to ADHD’ in patients who consumed junk food. However, a dosage of 150-300 mg/day did improve the behavior of the patients. [7]

The use of Thiamin to treat ADD-ADHD has also been endorsed by Dr. Derrick Lonsdale. In his book titled, ‘Clinical Practice of Alternative Medicine’, he states that doses of thiamin did bring a change in the ADD-ADHD symptoms displayed by young children and the situation did improve.[8]

However, according to Dr. Leo Galland, “Children with ADHD reacted variably to different B vitamins. Some children became more hyperactive with pyridoxine [vitamin B6] but became calmer when thiamine [vitamin B1] was administered. Some children whose behavior improved with pyridoxine supplementation, deteriorated when thiamine was administered. These differences appeared to be stable over time.” [9]

Thus, if you or anyone from your family suffers from ADD-ADHD, just ensure that you eat a healthy diet that supplies your body with the much-needed vitamins.

This article is excerpted from the highly acclaimed Book by Steven Stephens, Director of Research at the ADD Research Institute.  This book is available Free to

"3 Steps" Members in the "Download Area"

The past month has been very difficult on Kathy. James, her husband, died due to the complications arising out of use of drugs that were prescribed to him for treating ADD-ADHD [Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity]. James had been a long-time sufferer of ADD-ADHD and was on constant medication.

And now, just a fortnight after the death of her husband; doctors have diagnosed James Jr., her son with ADD-ADHD. Kathy does not want her son to meet with the same fate as that of her husband and hence refuses to put her son on medication.

Now, though one can understand Kathy’s stand on ADD-ADHD medication, still, there will be many of you who might ask, " Is there an alternative and safer method to treat  ADD-ADHD?" Well, the answer is ‘Yes’. It is possible to treat in a natural way….

We all are aware that ADD-ADHD is a neurological ailment, wherein the sufferer undergoes a tremendous change in his personality. He becomes restless and finds it difficult to maintain focus on a particular task. His concentration wavers and he often shows signs of restlessness. They also complaint of fatigue and appear apathetic. In some cases, their behavior can turn violent and the person may indulge in self-destructive activities.

Most of the time, patients suffering from ADD-ADHD are administered with drugs. A lot of side effects are associated with these drugs and in some cases, they might also prove fatal, just as they proved in the case of James. However, research has proved that ADD-ADHD is a direct consequence of the deficiency of vitamins in the patient’s body and hence a diet rich in vitamins can alleviate the symptoms and help the patients to regain  control over their behavior.

Though, there are many vitamins that are vital for the proper functioning of the brain, Riboflavin, or Vitamin B-2 as it is popularly known as, is perhaps one of the most important vitamins. Many medical practitioners see it as a potent weapon in combating ADD-ADHD.

Riboflavin dons an important role when it comes to the production of energy for the brain. The brain derives its energy by the metabolism of blood glucose. However, to carry out this process, the brain engages enzymes like Flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), which ultimately carry out the metabolism process. The presence of Riboflavin acts a progenitor for Flavin mononucleotide and flavin adenine dinucleotide. According to Dr. Elson M. Haas, "Riboflavin functions as the precursor or building block for two coenzymes that are important in energy production."

The presence of Riboflavin is also necessary for the optimum functioning of carnitine. Now, carnitine is needed for effective metabolism. According to Arturo M. Volpe, "The beneficial effect of carnitine supplementation depends on the presence of B complex vitamins, particularly vitamin B2 (riboflavin). Without enough of these vitamins carnitine is ineffective, so it makes sense that these nutrients should always be supplemented together to improve outcomes."   He also states that, " Carnitine supplementation has been shown to help in a variety of conditions, including ADHD, but also cardiovascular health, fatigue, and hypoglycemia."

Deficiency of Riboflavin can act as an impediment in the proper functioning of the brain. Similarly, insufficient quantities of Riboflavin can cause symptoms such as headaches, fatigue and irritability to flare up.  Similarly, the production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine is dependent upon Riboflavin.   Research has revealed that while insufficient quantities of dopamine can result in ADD-ADHD kind of symptoms, the deficiency of norepinephrine can lead to the occurrence of depression in human beings. 

The importance of Riboflavin has also been highlighted in the studies conducted in the Netherlands. 24 boys were administered with doses of carnitine. And though, 13 of the 24 boys showed improvement, researchers believed that the combination of Riboflavin would have produced a better result.

Even the British Journal of Psychiatry has stated that the deficiency of Riboflavin has a major role to play behind the occurrence of emotional disorders.

A diet rich in Riboflavin will ensure that your brain is not deprived of the energy it needs and is able to function normally. Similarly, it will also ensure an optimum production of the various neurotransmitters, the deficiency of which can lead to a disruptive behavior.

So, if your opinions on treating ADD-ADHD with medicines echo with that of Kathy, then you should give Riboflavin a try.

This article is excerpted from the highly acclaimed Book by Steven Stephens, Director of Research at the ADD Research Institute.  This book is available Free to
“3 Steps” Members in the “Download Area”

Foreword by Jonathan Bennett – “I never heard of the connection between Vitamin C and ADD ADHD.  The Harvard study in particular is fascinating.”

While growing up, your mom probably told you to eat your vegetables – she knew from experience that fresh food is the best way to keep kids healthy, focused, and well-behaved. In the past eating healthy food was the norm, but these days, even with all the talk about the importance of nutrition and a good diet, people continue to make junk food the priority.

The result? Our kids are gaining weight and getting sick. Problems like ADD and ADHD are on the rise, and classrooms have become nothing more than holding pins for drugged up children, surviving each day in a stupor when they should be learning, having fun, and enjoying life as a regular kid!

There’s got to be a better way – and there is. Nutritional supplementation has been proven to work wonders transforming children who experience the symptoms of ADD-ADHD into vibrant, focused, intelligent kids that are a joy to be around.

Vitamin C – a Miracle of Nature?

Vitamin C has been linked in many studies to improvements in children with ADD-ADHD. But what exactly does vitamin C do for your body?

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that keeps your body healthy and prevents cell damage. It neutralizes toxins in your body (called free radicals) that accumulate naturally and from the environment around you.

Vitamin C can actually help speed up the healing process, keeps gums, teeth, and bones healthy, contributes to strong blood vessels, and absorbs iron from the food we eat. It aids in the synthesis of collagen, which is the basis of all the connective tissue in your body.

Generally, it keeps your body and brain in good working order and has been shown to contribute to the proper functioning of many facets of the human body. Our bodies cannot produce Vitamin C like most creatures on the planet, so we have to eat food rich in this vitamin every day to stay in good health.

Vitamin C Deficiency

A deficiency in Vitamin C causes a condition called scurvy. Because vitamin C works to produce collagen in the body (literally the stuff that keeps your body in one piece), a deficiency leads to the deterioration of blood vessels causing hemorrhage, bleeding gums, bruising, loose teeth, and weak bones. Problems involving the tendons, ligaments, skin, bone, teeth, cartilage, heart valves, intervertebral discs, cornea, and eye lens may also occur.

A vitamin C deficiency causes your body to stop functioning the way it should, and can also cause behavioral problems in people who are malnourished and lacking this essential nutrient.

The Startling Link Between Vitamin C and ADD-ADHD

So how does all this relate to the treatment of ADD-ADHD? Because so many children lack adequate amounts of vitamin C in their bodies, it has been suggested that vitamin C may be an effective natural treatment for the symptoms of ADD-ADHD.

At the very least, proper nutrition has a lot to do with finding a solution to the problem.

A study published in the journal Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids in January 2006 looked at 30 children with ADHD and 30 healthy children. Each group had to consume 200 mg of ALA and 25 mg of vitamin C two times a day for 3 months. It was found that all ADHD measures improved significantly after the study period.

In addition, there were no side effects!

According to a study done by Karen L. Harding, PhD and Harvard Medical School fellow, Richard D. Judah, PhD, and Charles E. Gant, MD, PhD published in the Alternative Medicine Review (Volume 8, Number 3, 2003), nutritional supplements proved just as effective in treating the symptoms of ADD-ADHD as Ritalin.

This is amazing work that supports the idea that natural remedies for ADD-ADHD do exist – even if no one is telling you about them.

Clearly, daily supplementation of vitamin C along with other vital nutrients and fatty acids has proven to be beneficial to children suffering from ADD-ADHD. There are natural ways to combat the problem so your kids can be focused and calm, leading to better concentration in school and improved behavior at home.

References

Supplementation with flax oil and vitamin C improves the outcome of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Joshi K, Lad S, Kale M, Patwardhan B, Mahadik SP, Patni B, Chaudhary A, Bhave S, Pandit A. Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids. 2006 Jan; 74(1):17-21. Epub 2005 Nov 28.

Outcome-Based Comparison of Ritalin® versus Food-Supplement Treated Children with AD/HD. Karen L. Harding, PhD, Richard D. Judah, PhD, and Charles E. Gant, MD, PhD. Alternative Medicine Review (Volume 8, Number 3, 2003).

This article is excerpted from the highly acclaimed Book by Steven Stephens, Director of Research at the ADD Research Institute.  This book is available Free to
“3 Steps” Members in the “Download Area”

Foreword by Jonathan Bennett – “We have seen countless families use calcium in a very specific way to eliminate hyperactivity and restore balance and calm. I encourage you to read this article at least twice… it is packed with useful information.”

Calcium comprises of almost 1.6% of the human body weight. It acts as the human glue that binds the whole body together. Compared to other ions, the calcium ion has the ability to hold on to a single water molecule along with 7 other molecules. Calcium ion has the right size thus giving them the ability to easily move through human body cells. In the process, the calcium ions take a series of nutrients inside the cells and leave to get more nutrients.

However, according to many scientists, the human body starts exhausting its calcium reserves. Only compounds of mono-ortho-calcium phosphate act as a chemical buffer for the blood and maintain the alkaline level in the blood. Devoid of these compounds there could be high possibilities of the human body giving in to the depletion, thus resulting in instant death. Therefore, to make sure the body is supplied with sufficient calcium from time to time everyone is expected to consume a specific proportion of calcium. If not, the body would start drawing calcium from the bones and teeth which have 98% and 1% deposits of calcium respectively.

Calcium Deficiency and You

Calcium is an essential nutrient. Over 80 studies demonstrate that the more calcium we consume the more stable and low our blood pressure would be. However, in certain cases, if there is a deficiency of calcium in children, it could induce ADD/ADHD behavior. First signs of calcium deficiency include cramps, irregular stomach movements, painful joints and tingling in the legs and arms. Children suffering from calcium deficiency exhibit, inattentiveness, anger, sleep disturbances and irritability.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD as it’s commonly known as is a common behavioral disorder noticed among children in their preschool years (2 yr old kids). The child doesn’t eat particular type or any type of food and is cranky about his/her eating habits. Moreover, these behavioral disorders might harm the child and give arise to more complexities in the long run.

Furthermore, this self-restricted diet also means the child is deprived of the essential nutrients necessary for growth. Over time, reduction of essential minerals like calcium, zinc, magnesium etc gives rise to lower bone density and smaller stature. A persistent condition of calcium deficiency could lead to a larger negative impact on the health of the child.

Add Calcium to your diet to combat ADD-ADHD…

Children who are sensitive to dairy food products should daily ingest calcium supplementations in liquid, chewable, or capsule form. Calcium supplementation is a must for children and adults involved in sports activities.

Magnesium and calcium deficiencies are common reason for cases of ADHD/ADD among children of all ages. Natural heath-care practitioners very often advise magnesium and calcium supplementation for repressing hyperactivity, as both minerals have a soothing effect on the human body. Reinforcing this practice, a Polish study states that depleted rates calcium, zinc, magnesium, iron and copper levels were the main cause of hyperactivity among children in the 4-13 yr age group in comparison to a health control group. Many other studies have also backed up this study. After administering calcium or magnesium supplements, children had a sound sleep and did not show any signs of sleepiness during the day.

A study by Thiel, Ph.D. (ANMA Monitor 1997:1(9): 5-8) of children and adults suffering from A.D.D. showed that 52% needed calcium, while the rest needed GABA, flax oil and/or B6.

Calcium helps in keeping the nerves active and normal coagulation of blood. Everyone is expected to consume considerable amount of calcium to thwart negative effects of overreactions to stress and prolonged periods of trauma.

According Dr. Robert Barefoots, renowned calcium expert and inventor of Coral Calcium endorses the use of calcium supplements for combating ADHD. According to certain studies healthy people have alkaline body fluids while sick individuals have acidic fluids that are (below normal pH). Although many people have alkaline, healthy body fluids while they are young, it starts degenerating as they reach their thirties. Low minerals like calcium and magnesium causes our bodies to turn increasingly acidic.

Calcium Consumption

Calcium is absorbed in the body through food items than through calcium supplements. Both young and old are expected to consume no less than 3 calcium rich food products everyday. This can include non-fat or low-fat yogurt, low-fat ice cream, low-fat cottage cheese, low-fat cheese calcium-fortified grapefruit or orange juice, and skim milk.

However, even though many people are consuming calcium, they aren’t getting the amount of calcium needed for keeping the body going. Hence, people who are not able to consume at least 3 calcium-rich food items should consider ingesting calcium supplements.

People should ingest 500 mg calcium supplements every day and the left over 500mg to 700mg should be consumed through food items.

Calcium supplements come in different forms, like calcium citrate and calcium carbonate. According to recent studies, calcium citrate is much more superior compared to calcium carbonate, as the body can absorb it more easily. As per common belief to benefit from the calcium supplements, both kids and elders are suggested to ingest calcium supplements along with a glass of orange juice.

This article is excerpted from the highly acclaimed Book by Steven Stephens, Director of Research at the ADD Research Institute.  This book is available Free to
“3 Steps” Members in the “Download Area”

In this report you will learn about the scientifically proven benefits of Vitamin B12 and how it can help eliminate many of you ADD-ADHD symptoms.

Just the other night, Karen was conferred with the  ‘Best Employee of the Year’ award. Her colleagues were surprised. Karen does not share a good equation with her colleagues. She gets irritated at the slightest pretext and often throws tantrums in the office. Her colleagues remark that the word ‘calmness’ is missing from Karen’s lexicon.  They also say that she is never able to concentrate on a single task and keeps fleeting from one task to the other.

Karen suffers from ADD-ADHD [[Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity], a fact that is not known to her colleagues. ADD-ADHD is a neurological ailment. Patients afflicted with ADD-ADHD often display a sense of apathy towards their immediate surroundings. They suffer from low levels of concentration and find it difficult to remain associated with a particular task from start to finish. ADD-ADHD sufferers also get distracted quite often and tend to have a poor memory. They are prone to sudden bouts of anger and hence find it difficult to have a normal relationship at work or in personal life. At times, they can get engaged in a self-destructive behavior.

Medical practitioners have for a long time been using Ritalin and Adderall to treat patients suffering from ADD-ADHD. An estimate shows that in the year 1996, more than 1.5 million school going kids in the US were being administered with Ritalin.  However, recent medical research has revealed that Ritalin can cause a lot of undesirable effects in human beings. It is known to cause nervousness, drug addiction, hair loss and convulsions.  In certain cases Ritalin can also lead to the death of the patient.

The ill effects associated with Ritalin have forced researchers to look for alternative cure. Many researchers believe that vitamins hold the key to providing a safer cure for ADD-ADHD sufferers. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry advocates the use of liberal doses of vitamins to reduce the symptoms associated with ADD-ADHD.   The same story is repeated with Adderall, which contains amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. Amphetamine has been associated with many side effects such as drug dependence, heart palpitations, diarrhea, constipation, impotence, insomnia etc.

Now, you will be wondering as to how vitamins can help in the alleviation of ADD-ADHD symptoms….

Vitamins play a vital role in the production of energy packets in the brain cell. The lack of sufficient quantities of vitamins can hamper the production of energy. Lack of energy can prevent the brain from dispensing its responsibilities properly and that might trigger the onset of ADD-ADHD.

Among the many vitamins required for the proper functioning of the brain, Vitamin B12 perhaps is counted amongst one of the most important vitamins of all.  In the opinion Dr. Elson M. Haas, the deficiency of Vitamin B12 can cause an irreversible damage to the brain and the neurological system.

B12 or rather methyl-B12 a form of Vitamin B12 plays a pivotal role in the production of myelin, a protective sheath round the neurons. We all are aware of the fact that the entire neurological system is exposed to wide range of chemicals such as lead and mercury, which enter our body via food or the polluted air that is available for breathing in the 21st century. These chemicals can cause an irreparable damage to the brain and prevent its proper functioning. Methyl-B12 helps in the regeneration of the neurons as well as the production of myelin.

According to Dr. Arturo M. Volpe, “I have been recommending a form of vitamin B12 called methyl-B12 for children with autism and ADHD. Methyl B12 has been shown to protect neurons from glutamate toxicity. Glutamate is a natural neurotransmitter found in food that is also made in the brain and is essential for normal brain function. A healthy brain closely regulates how much glutamate can be present at any time because too much of it causes hyper-excitability and eventually leads to brain cell death. Researchers have shown that exposure to mercury or other toxins cause the brain to lose its ability to regulate glutamate levels. What happens next is that as glutamate is absorbed from food and made in the brain its levels skyrocket and cause widespread damage, ultimately leading to a broad range of brain disorders.”

Deficiency of Vitamin B12 can also cause depression and tiredness, two common symptoms associated with ADD-ADHD sufferers.

A proper intake of Vitamin B12 can regulate the production of adenosyl-methionine, a type of amino acid. In the opinion of Dr. Richard A. Kunin, adenosyl-methionine can prove a vital factor that can alleviate the patient’s mood and mental sharpness. Dr. Kunin states that Vitamin B12 joins hands with Folic acid to ensure the optimum production of adenosyl-methionine.

Research carried out by John Lindenbaum, M.D., of New York’s Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, does prove that deficiency of Vitamin B12 can cause neurological problems as well as the feeling of tiredness.  Studies have also revealed that a proper intake of Vitamin B12 is essential to gain control over symptoms such as delusions, memory loss, depression, difficulty in thinking etc.

Sufficient quantities of Vitamin B 12 also ensures a proper synthesis of S-adenosyl-methionine [SAMe] a amino acid that is known to promote concentration, a feeling of well-being, and alertness. Talking about Vitamin B12, Ray Sahelian states that, “the synthesis of SAMe is intimately linked with folate and Vitamin B12 metabolism, and deficiencies of both these vitamins have been found to reduce central nervous system SAMe concentrations. Both folate and Vitamin B12 deficiency may cause similar neurological and psychiatric disturbances including depression, dementia, and peripheral neuropathy.”

Vitamin B12 has thus proved to be a vital ally in the fight against ADD-ADHD. Doctors feel that Vitamin B12 can provide a safer alternative treatment to Karen and scores of people like her.