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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.
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I was diagnosed with ADD about six months ago and was given Ritalin. It turned me into a maniac – angry, irritable, and very edgy. No one could stand to be aorund me. I tried Vitamin B12 as you suggest, and the change has been astounding. Although my doctor does not agree with it, I have discontinued the Ritalin and will be pursuing other vitamin therapy in addition to my B12. I have my personality back!
Rhonda P.
How much B12 should I be taking and is there a specific formula that is better?
F. Jones
I just went to my sons pediatrician yesterday and she gave us Concerta. After getting home and reading for hours I never gave him the pills and will not at all. He is 7 and ADHD. Some days are better than others so I am not convinced it is ADHD. I requested a blood test and the doctor gave me a bunch of reasons why there was no link etc… I want to know how much of the fish oil, vitamins, supplements I can give safely. There is some positive and negative feedback about these vitamins, remedies, and diets so I just want to be sure I make the right choice. Thoughts??? Today we started with a high protein diet eggs, turkey bacon, whole wheat toast and chocolate soymilk and the day is going well.
Hi Rachel,
I feel the same way as you and I also have a son who is now 7. I have been watching what he eats for the last few weeks and have noticed an incredible change (most days) by avoiding food with salisylates and got an allergy test done. Do a search on websites for Food Intolerance, Sue Dengate’s Fed up book was a great help too. Anything to avoid drugs is worth a try.
Rachel i listened to my doctor for a few years and had my son on Ritalin and concerta and all he could do for me was keep increasing his meds. I took him off all the meds and have been on fish oil tabs since. new boy, great person who doesnt always get into trouble at school.
Good luck
Hi Rachel, There is a liquid multivitamin that you may be interested in it is called Kids calm multi by peter Gillham and has alot of the vitamin, minerals, and amino acids that they suggest for ADD all in one and it;s for kids. I hope you check it out online. If you would like to talk please email me carols2ndbaby@hotmail.com. I have been helping my son naturally for almost 3 years now and I am still learning as much as I can to help my son. Hope to hear from you, Carol
I get my b12 in micellized form with the “liquid vitamins”
My 11 year old was on ritalin a year old for about 4 years. It was terrible trying to get him to take medation. It made him sick to his stomach and often complained of stomach pain. The teachers are telling me now, he has trouble pay attention in class. He often day dreams. He even says he does. I don’t want to do the meds again or does he. Are there any side affects to the vitatims?
Need to know what dose to start a 103 lb., 12 year old boy on of the vitamins.
I take several of them myself for fibromyalgia, but am just know starting to do it faithfully.
A therapeutic dose for adults is between 1,000 and 2,000 micrograms, so a 103 pound child could start at 500 I would think. Make sure he also gets the other B’s as well.
I take seanol which has done wonders for me read about it here http://primev.com/seanol.aspx Best wishes.
My son is 6, his assistant principal recommended me to take him to his pediatrician due to his behavior (over hyper) a person informed me they had the same problem when they were little, the doc. suggested ritalin, but her mom said NO, she took her to a homeopathic doctor and they told her about b12. She said it worked wonders and she has been taking it ever since. I give my son a little chewable one every morning (taste like cherries) and the marks in his folder have decreased dramatically!
i too was informed of b12 for my 3 yr old son, we started it today. with all the wonderful stories here, i feel it is the right choice. does anyone know about how long it takes before u see the changes?
Most people tell me they see a difference within a couple of weeks. If you go over a month and don’t see any improvement, try a slightly different approach. You will find the right combination after some basic trial and error, best of luck to you!
I’ve been on therapeutic doses of B12 for a slight anemia, but began to realize after a short while that my mind wasn’t getting so easily distracted during the day, and I was staying on task much better than before. Frankly, I had no idea that B12 deficiency was associated with hyperactivity in the brain, but Googled to see if there was a link, and here I am. I’m convinced now. Adding this supplement to my diet has certainly settled my hyperactive brain!
My granddaughter is almost seven years old and has been on Concerta for about three years. She has a hard time stayibg on task and sharing with classmates. After reading the article and comments I am going to start her on b12. She weighs 34 lbs. What dosage should I sart her on?
For specific vitamin help, you can contact a distributor directly by e-mailing – debbie@absorbable-vitamins.com
Reading your thoughts i had my son on concerta and he was horribly underweight but still having issues at school and all my paediatrician wanted to do was increase his meds…..so i took him off altogther and use fish oil tabs. Beware that these tabs are very dangerous and i am much more careful about what i give my children…
i have learnt to listen to my instincts and not just what a professional tells me.
Hope your grandchild is doing well.
It is almost the end of the school year- my son just had his medication changed from Vyvanse to Aderall. While I completely hate medication in any form, I do not feel I can take my son off of meds to experiment the last three weeks of school. I need to know if I can go ahead and start this process with B12 and diet while he is on his meds. I plan to removed the medication day one of summer and go full bore. I just need to know if it is okay to do the vitamins now.
You donot want your son on adderall. Adderall is methamphtemine with an enantiomeric excess of the anxiety promoting enantiomer. it is a neurotoxic stimulant and enhances production of dopamine and noepinephrine. Tolerance develops quickly and the dose needs to be upped as teh body lowers its natural production of these two neurotransmitters. Without it, there will be extreme withdrawal and crashes at teh end of the day when the dose wears off. it is chemically identical to speed.
stick with the vitamins