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ANNOUNCEMENT!

We are undergoing renovations and major upgrades to the site!

You should still be able to access all of the content…  Its just a bit ugly while we are upgrading.

Sorry for the inconvenience. 

Jon

Last week we had an introductory look at how knowing the GI values of different foods can help us to lose weight, and can also improve our general and emotional health. This week we will focus on how GI values are determined and measured. This information will clearly show that a) The Glycemic Index is not just some kind of faddish concept like so many ‘miracle diets’ out there but that it is built on solid scientific facts and testing, and b) That it is possible to control, to a great degree, the release of sugars into the blood stream by paying careful attention to what you eat.

Interestingly enough GI values cannot be determined by simply looking at the composition of certain foodstuffs. The main reason for this that the human digestive system is very complex and often respond in different ways to seemingly similar foods. This means that GI values can only be accurately determined in trials using live human guinea pigs! The most common way in which this is done is the following:

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The implications of all of this for the management of ADD/ADHD are obvious. The mood swings, inability to concentrate and the impulsive behavior that are often associated with ADD/ADHD can in many cases be traced back directly to what it going on in the ‘fuel tank’! Scientist have struggled for a long time to prove and describe this link but the development of the Glycemic Index as a scientific way to measure the body’s response to carbohydrates means that it has now been proven that such a link undoubtedly exists. This means that paying very close attention to what you eat should be at the core of any ADD/ADHD management strategy.

It is all well and good to know something of the general theory behind the Glycemic Index. To make it practical however, you will need to have a solid grasp of how different foodstuffs score on this index. Please drop by again next week when we will discuss this question as well as some of the implications of what we have learned thus far for an ‘Anti ADD/ADHD’ diet!

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I am particularly convinced of the fact that a Low-GI diet can be a force for good in terms of building higher levels concentration and better emotional health. It is also becoming clear that it can act as a very effective tool in the struggle against the conditions that lead to the irrational impulsiveness and mood swings that are, sadly, often associated with ADD/ADHD.

Over the next few weeks we will ‘unpack’ some of the research that have been done to explore the links between the Glycemic Index (GI) and behavior, concentration and hyperactivity. The things that we will discover will shock, amaze and anger you! This is because drug companies, as well as ‘Big Food’, are trying their best to keep this link secret and to convince us that it should just be ‘business as usual’ in terms of what we put on our plates.

To this attitude we have to say: Enough is enough! Enough of diets devoid of the things that we need the most. Enough of drugging our kids into submission when they respond negatively to the ‘Frankenfoods’ that are such a seemingly normal part of everyday life.

Be prepared to discover some amazing truths about ADD/ADHD over the next few weeks. Before we delve a little deeper however, it would perhaps be good to just briefly discuss some of the theory behind the Clycemic Index (GI). This will make it very clear why it is so important if to come to grips with ‘GI issues’ if we really want to understand optimum human nutrition.

What is the Glycemic Index?

The simplest definition of the Glycemic Index is that it is a ranking system (scaled from 1 -100) that measures the extent to which specific carbohydrates raise the blood sugar level after it is eaten. If a specific food scores high on the GI Index it means that it is normally digested very quickly, leading to strong fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Low GI foods are, by contrast, digested slowly. This leads to gradual absorption of nutrients and gradual rises in insulin and blood sugar levels.

Making Low GI foods a cornerstone of your diet can make a marked difference to your life. Some of the main benefits of a Low GI diet include the following:

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‘You are what you eat!’ or so the old saying goes. People all over the world are increasingly finding that ancient wisdom was spot-on in this instance. Effectively addressing some of the most common modern health epidemics can, in many cases, simply be a matter of paying close attention to what you put into your body. This is especially true in the case of ADD/ADHD. I therefore encourage you to come back next week as we continue to explore the links between a Low GI diet and good emotional and psychological health.

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As I write this, I have to wonder why anyone would turn to medication as a first choice of treatment for ADD/ADHD?  Some drug companies will stress that they must list every side effect possible, but that many hardly ever occur.  That may or may not be true.  Pharmaceutical companies prefer to downplay a drug’s side effects, because of course, they want to sell their drugs!  For example, the makers of Wellbutrin have had numerous lawsuits filed against them by patients and their families who suffered from seizures after taking Wellbutrin.  So just how many of the above side effects are you willing to tolerate?  It ultimately becomes a matter of choosing your ADD/ADHD symptoms or to have other symptoms that can prove to be every bit as disruptive!

…Interesting

Even thought the site is outdated, there are some really good points. You can see the entire site here….

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/misunderstoodminds/attention.html

…Interesting

Even thought the site is outdated, there are some really good points.  You can see the entire site here….

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/misunderstoodminds/attention.html

Strattera is known as a selective norepinephrenine reuptake inhibitor.  This means that it strengthens the chemical signal between the nerves that use norepinephrine to send messages.  It does not seem to affect the dopamine systems as directly as stimulants drugs do, but it does cause a secondary increase in dopamine levels in the brain area located behind your eyes.   This is the area that is associated with the ability to mentally rehearse responses and inhibit impulsivity.  It’s also associated with your working memory.  It is not thought to be at such a high risk for abuse because it is not a Schedule II drug (known for significant potential for addiction) like the stimulants.

While professionals still prefer to try stimulants first, this drug has a gradual and subtle onset.  It takes a few days to reach a maximum effect, and some report they’ve had to take it for as long as 3 weeks before seeing any effects.  It is taken once or twice a day, and that makes it preferable for children as they don’t have to remember a dose at school.

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So there you have it - the good, the bad, and the ugly - about taking the non-stimulant Strattera.  I am still of the opinion that if you want to try a “pill” for your ADD/ADHD symptoms, wouldn’t you prefer a more natural route?

I hope to keep fighting for you to get the best possible discounts!

We will continually add more and more tips and techniques as they develop!

In order to eliminate your ADD-ADHD symptoms you MUST give your body the building blocks it needs.

It has been proven that ADD people lack certain vitamins and nutrients.

ADD people also use certain vitamins and nutrients at a must faster rate.

Explore the following areas to learn how to “Fuel Up”

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Jill W. recounted to me her experience with taking Adderall.  She had enough problematic symptoms of ADD that she went to her physician where, predictably, he suggested medication as the first line of treatment.   Like many of us, she said that she’d trusted her doctor and his recommendations.  “After all,” she said, “he’s the doctor.”  He even gave her some samples of Adderall so she could keep her costs down (Hmmm - wonder where he got those???).  She was not told about side effects nor was she asked about any existing medical conditions.

The first thing she noticed was that she had no appetite.  However, Jill said she wasn’t about to report that because she wanted to lose some weight anyway and this seemed like a great “extra.”  She wasn’t sleeping very well, but chalked it up to stress, not the medicine.  She did find herself, in her words, “ready to kick anyone’s a*$ that crossed me,” but still didn’t find these problems to be enough to report to her doctor.

What finally scared her were the chest pains and fast heart beat she began to have for several days in a row.  Convinced she was having a heart attack, she went to the ER where she was sent home with a diagnosis of “panic attack.”  The symptoms persisted until one day, she looked on the insert that came with her Adderall.  There it was in black and white.  Her symptoms matched some of those listed as side effects.

Even though she reported this to her physician, his first recommendation was that he would adjust her dose.  But Jill wasn’t convinced.  She stopped the medication altogether.

Next week, we will explore the class of drugs known as Atomoxetine and Buproprion.

So what are the side effects we are talking about here?  I am going to discuss them below.  But I want to be perfectly clear - I am NOT trying to scare the dickens out of you about side effects.  You must determine for yourself if this is a path you want to try.  But if you do, please be fully aware of the side effects so that you be be on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary.  Let’s start today with the group of Methylphenidates (Ritalin, Metadate, Methyln, Focalin, or Concerta).

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Due to its dangerous nature, the government requires that you get a new prescription for these drugs every time you need a refill.  And here’s an interesting caveat:  “These medicines may affect your concentration.”  You mean the very medication you want to take to improve your concentration might actually inhibit it?  Hmmmm.

My point here remains the same.  You cannot afford to be too careful if you decide that medication is your choice of treatment.  But given what you’ve just learned about this first group of stimulants, don’t you think you owe it to yourself or to your child to try other avenues for treatment first?

I created this video to answer the question…

How are you supposed to mix these liquid vitamins.

- Jon

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Aside from whatever your feelings and opinions are about taking drugs to treat Attention Deficit Disorder symptoms, you simply cannot ignore the many side effects that can occur.  Next week, I am going to delve into those effects of stimulants much more thoroughly.  With that information, you can make an informed decision as to whether you want these substances in your body of that of your child.

There are plenty of testimonials from individuals who have said that drugs helped tremendously.  BUT - there are just as many testimonials from others who will tell you that one of these drugs caused havoc in their lives.  For stimulants, the major complaints are about severe anxiety and agitation.  For those of you whose normal temperament might be described as “high strung,” you may find that adding a stimulant to your body’s chemistry will cause your agitation over the edge.  Along with agitation and anxiety, many have reported a lot of sleep disturbance that in turn can significantly affect your personality and moods.  For many, the resulting side effects far outweigh any of the benefits that are promised.

So again, before you chose pharmacology as your first line of treatment, do your homework.  And when you are done, do some more and make sure you are 100% comfortable with what you are considering taking or giving your child.  If you have had experiences with these drugs and would like to share them here, I welcome all of your comments!

You do not want to miss this information!

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You do not want to miss this information!

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Stimulants are drugs that work in the central nervous system to help the brain increase the circulation levels of those chemicals thought to be at a low level in persons with ADHD.  Stimulants are thoguth to help children and adults concentrate more easily and to help control other symptoms of ADHD.  While most people can take these drugs without difficulty, others have pretty serious side effects.  These can range from minor problems such as decreased appetite and delayed sleep onset, to more troubling symptoms such as tics and even hallucinations.

One major concern parents have about stimulants is that since these drugs can be habit-forming in adults, they might have the same effects on children, or that children might become drug addicts in later years.  The research is sketchy on this, but most agree that addiction in the pediatric population is not a major concern.

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Many doctors and drug companies want you to use medicine as a quick fix for many ailments including ADD/ADHD.  As you begin to research the issue of whether medicine is right for you or your child, make sure you are getting your information form unbiased sources.  If a drug company has financed a study or has written the review of a medication, just keep in mind that they may be motivated by more than just providing education.  Pharmaceuticals are a big business - so buyer beware!

ADD/ADHD is believed to be a malfunction of the dopamine transmitter system in the brain. These transmitters are responsible for the reuptake of dopamine from the synaptic gap into the nerve cells. If the number of transmitters is too high, then the available dopamine is in short supply, and voila, ADD/ADHD symptoms appear! The drugs used by physicians are thought to target the dopamine system of the brain to alleviate symptoms.

Over the next few weeks, I am going to attempt to explain the different types of ADD/ADHD medications and how they are thought to work. In addition, you will begin to see that much of the hype surrounding these drugs has been produced by the drug companies that manufacture them. More hype equals better sales!

You need to understand and be aware that the pharmacology business is huge and the profits are staggering. While the argument can certainly be made that the drugs are beneficial for those suffering form ADD/ADHD, it is up to you to be a smart consumer. Educate yourself about these drugs before you buy into the drug company’s testimonials.

Let’s first review the 3 types of ADHD.

§ Inattentive Only: This sufferer cannot pay attention, but is completely capable of sitting still and not causing disruption. This used to be known as ADD.

§ Hyperactive/Impulsive: This is the person who can pay attention and focus, but cannot sit still no matter what! He might be impulsive, blurting out answers before called on, for example. Impulsivity is usually manifested by acting without thinking first about the consequences.

§ Combined Inattentive/Hyperactive/Impulsive: This is the most commonly diagnosed of the three kinds, and as you can see, it includes all of the symptoms.

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No two people experience the effects of these medications the same. That is because the symptoms vary from person to person and in their severity. It is ultimately up to you, as a parent, or you as the adult ADHDer, to determine whether you want these substances in your body. What I want to do here is to educate you thoroughly about the drugs used to treat ADD/ADHD so that you can make an informed choice about your decision to either medicate or not. If there are alternatives to medication, though, don’t you thin k you owe it to yourself to find out all you can about prescription drugs versus other alternative treatments?

Just when you were getting comfortable with the thought that you or a loved one might have ADD, here’s something that’s likely to catch you off guard: there is such a thing known as pseudo-ADD, or an Add type illness born out of the society in which we live!

Think about symptoms of ADD and then think about what characteristics seem to be prevalent in our culture?

§ Moving fast as a definition of a “go getter” – a.k.a., the “fast track”

§ The need for high stimulation

§ Speed and creativity

§ Taking chances

§ Ignoring the status quo

§ Bucking authority

§ Doing it your way

If you look at it this way, you could say almost everyone you know has ADD to some extent. Don’t you often juggle several things at once? Do you get overwhelmed at times by all of the stimulation around you? Do you often have trouble paying attention? Can you become “addicted” to a computer game so much so that you can’t tear yourself away? Do you have real ADD or a pseudo-ADD?

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It’s important to refrain from looking at everyone and saying, “You are so _____ - you must have ADD.” While all of us will probably “look” ADD from time to time, it’s not possible that all of us actually have it! When you attempt to diagnose yourself, you are your own worst critic. It’s easy to become overly critical and believe that you must have a problem. This is why a professional opinion is so critical.

If you truly believe that you or your loved one may have ADD, seek help immediately. Be honest and forthcoming about your concerns. If you have ADD, then you can start treating it the minute you get home. And if you are merely a pseudo-ADD, then you can earn how to make the most out of your symptoms so that they help rather than cause you trouble!

Chances are…   if you have been “diagnosed” with ADD-ADHD
you are doomed to failure.

That’s right, you have a serious handicap that is very difficult
or impossible to overcome.

Have fallen for this Lie?

I know that most people who have struggled with ADD-ADHD
fall for this lie…. at least for a little while until they cast off
the “stigma” of ADD-ADHD in their own minds.

Let me explain.

Self image is the single most important factor in determining
your success in life.

Poor  self image = failure in life

Positive self image = success in life

Don’t allow Doctors or teachers to form a negative self-image!

Fact: ADD-ADHD people are often the MOST gifted people on
the planet.

We often have “superman-like” abilities that the average person
will never understand.

——————————————————-
Michael Phelps
——————————————————-

Michael Phelps did not allow his ADD-ADHD to bring him down.

He did not wallow in his own self pitty.

He did not believe the lie…. that he is somehow handicapped by
this so-called “disorder”

——————————————————-
Guard Your Self-Image!
——————————————————-

Parents!  Please hear me on this!

Do not let your child think that they have a disorder!

The act of going to the Doctor and getting a diagnosis
can set your child’s self image into the gutter.

1st of all.  Your Doctor only have one option for your
ADD…

you guessed it.

Drugs.

Taking drugs on a daily basis for ADD….

Is that good or bad for the self-image (or your health)???

Think about it.

When you get a declaration from someone in a position
of authority saying…

“Yep-  you got it!  You got it bad!”  (normally after a 5 minute
conversation)

That will stick with you or your child for a very long time
unless you are very careful to guard the self-image like
it is a fragile egg.

——————————————————-
What can You do?
——————————————————-

1.  Don’t go to the Doctor for this until you have exhausted all the
“natural” remedies out there.

2.  Make a conscious effort to not refer to your so-called ADD as
a handicap

3.  Recognize that you have tendencies to not-be-able to focus in
certain situations (usually boring people talking about boring stuff)

4.  Implement proven techniques and tactics that can turn your
“ADD” into your very own special superpowers.

5.  Read my favorite book on this subject it Psycho Cybernetics by
Maxwell Maltz

I highly recommend that you pick up a copy TODAY!

Jon Bennett

By nature, people with Add are born with a temperament that is often intense and very emotional.  We react strongly to our environment, and often, we overreact.  On the other hand, when the emotions become so overwhelming that we can’t handle them, we may stuff them down.  That doesn’t work either because eventually, that stuff comes out, and it usually isn’t pretty!

Your emotions are your emotions – they make up who you are.  But there are ways to get a hold of them such that you manage them well while enjoying the human experience of feeling.

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ADD and your emotions do not have to ruin your life.  You are merely going to have to do more work to keep things under control than the rest of the world.  On the other hand, having ADD can be a good thing.  Instead of punishing yourself for the ways your ADD hurts you, try focusing on the good things ADD has brought into your life.  We are way cooler than we give ourselves credit for!

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