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A syndrome that includes impairment in perception, conceptualization, language, memory, and motor skills; decreased attention span; increased impulsivity and emotionality; and usually, not always, hyperactivity. Often a misdiagnosis can occur due to a diet low in magnesium or a diet overly dependent on simple carbohydrates, which produces similar symptoms. A syndrome that includes impairment in perception, conceptualization, language, memory, and motor skills; decreased attention span; increased impulsivity and emotionality; and usually, not always, hyperactivity. Often a misdiagnosis can occur due to a diet low in magnesium or a diet overly dependent on simple carbohydrates, which produces similar symptoms.
Prevalence research
ADD is more prevalent in males than in females. Estimates of the ratio between males to females range from 3:1 to 5:1.
ADD is the common childhood psychiatric disorder.
It has been estimated that 2% to 20% of school children in the USA are afflicted with ADD. Conservative estimates are that it affects 3% to 5% of school children.
There is some evidence that there is an hereditary basis underlying ADD.
Substances that Alleviate or Prevent Attention Deficit Disorder
Amino Acids
Supplemental 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) may be beneficial for ADD patients (due to its role as a precursor for the production of Serotonin, a Neurotransmitter that is commonly depleted in ADD patients).
Glutamine (250 - 1,000 mg per day) improves the condition of ADD patients.
Phenylalanine (600 mg per day) causes moderate improvement in ADD patients.
Taurine alleviates the Hyperactivity associated with ADD (by sedating the Central Nervous System).
Supplemental Tryptophan may be beneficial for ADD patients (due to its role as a precursor for the production of Serotonin, a Neurotransmitter that is commonly depleted in ADD patients).
Tyrosine (up to 5,000 mg per day) may be useful in the treatment of some cases of ADD (due to its ability to improve Dopamine metabolism).
Electromagnetic Radiation
Exposure to Full Spectrum Fluorescent Light prevents ADD:
- Children who attend schools where shielded Full Spectrum Fluorescent Light is provided are less prone to hyperactivity than those working under other forms of Fluorescent Light.
Optimal (but not excessive) exposure to Sunlight prevents ADD:
- However, over-exposure to Sunlight can exacerbate or cause ADD.
Lipids
ADD patients commonly exhibit low Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) levels (and for this reason supplemental DHA, by raising lowered levels of DHA, may alleviate ADD).
It has been speculated that ADD patients may have an impairment in their ability to convert Linoleic Acid to Gamma-Linolenic Acid (therefore direct supplementation with Gamma-Linolenic Acid-containing dietary Oils may be useful for ADD patients).
Phosphatidylserine is presently under investigation as a possible treatment for ADD.
Minerals
Calcium deficiency may be an underlying cause of some cases of ADD.
ADD can occur as a result of Magnesium deficiency and Magnesium supplementation (200 mg per day) alleviates ADD.
ADD patients have been found to have low (up to 50% lower) serum Zinc levels.
Neurotransmitters
Children afflicted with ADD commonly exhibit depleted levels of Dopamine.
Supplemental Gamma Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) improves the condition of ADD patients.
Children afflicted with ADD commonly exhibit depleted levels of Serotonin.
Polyphenols
Pycnogenol alleviates the symptoms of ADD.
Smart Drugs
Centrophenoxine alleviates ADD.
Diethylaminoethanol (DEAE) has been approved by the FDA in the USA for the treatment of ADD.
Dilantin is very beneficial in the treatment of ADD - Dilantin alleviates the hyperactivity associated with ADD and increases various aspects of Intelligence in ADD patients:
- Anecdotal reports from people given Dilantin for ADD during childhood report vastly improved performance on IQ tests.
Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) alleviates the behavioral problems and hyperactivity associated with ADD - approximately 70% of ADD patients experience increased Attention Span, decreased Aggressiveness, improved Learning ability and (sometimes) increased Intelligence following DMAE treatment.
Piracetam (1,200 - 2,400 mg per day) alleviates the Learning difficulties associated with ADD.
Pyritinol is useful in the treatment of ADD. research
Vitamins
Choline alleviates ADD in children.
Vitamin B1 deficiency has been implicated in ADD (by some researchers). research
Vitamin B6 facilitates the production of Serotonin in ADD patients (Serotonin is often depleted in ADD patients) and some ADD patients are found to be deficient in Vitamin B6. research
Foods/Herbs that Alleviate Attention Deficit Disorder
Herbs
American Ginseng alleviates the symptoms of ADD.
Brahmi alleviates ADD.
Ginkgo biloba alleviates the symptoms of ADD.
Valerian alleviates the symptoms of ADD:
- Valerian eliminates the Anxiety, Fear, restlessness and Aggressiveness associated with ADD and improves motor Coordination in ADD patients.
Legumes
Black Bean (juice) alleviates ADD (according to anecdotal reports from chemists in Japan).
Oils (Dietary Oils)
It has been speculated that ADD patients may have an impairment in their ability to convert Linoleic Acid to Gamma-Linolenic Acid (therefore direct supplementation with Gamma-Linolenic Acid-containing dietary Oils such as Evening Primrose Oil (2,000 - 3,000 mg per day) may be useful for ADD patients).
Orthodox Medical Treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder
Pharmaceutical Drugs - Amphetamine Derivatives
Buproprion has been used successfully to treat some cases ADD.
Pemoline is often prescribed in the treatment of ADD - Pemoline increases Attention Span in ADD patients:
- Pemoline is believed to be a safer therapy for ADD than Ritalin.
Ritalin is often prescribed by physicians in the treatment of ADD:
- Caution: Ritalin can cause depletion of the Neurotransmitter - Norepinephrine.
Symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder
Cardiovascular System
ADD patients have been found to have impaired Blood Circulation to their Putamen (a region of the Cerebrum of the Brain).
Nervous System
Periods of inappropriate Aggressiveness are a symptom of ADD.
Reduced Attention Span is a symptom of ADD.
Inability to Concentrate for extended periods is a symptom of ADD.
Periods of inactivity followed by periods of hyperactivity are a symptom of ADD.
These Substances may Cause/Exacerbate Attention Deficit Disorder
Amino Acids
Excessive consumption of Aspartic Acid can cause ADD (by causing over-stimulation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA). Receptors in the Brain.
Excessive consumption of Glutamic Acid can cause ADD (by causing over-stimulation of the N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) Receptors in the Brain.
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) can cause ADD (by causing over-stimulation of the N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) Receptors in the Brain.
Electromagnetic Radiation
Excessive exposure to Cool White Fluorescent Light may cause Attention Deficit Disorder.
Excessive exposure to Sunlight can cause ADD:
- However, optimal levels of Sunlight exposure prevent ADD.
Food Additives
Tartrazine has been implicated in some cases of ADD - consumption of Tartrazine provokes the symptoms of ADD in some children.
Hormones
Excessive production of Testosterone is implicated in ADD (it is believed that excessive Testosterone impairs the Corpus Callosum of the Brain) - this may account for the increased prevalence of ADD in males.
Minerals
ADD has been correlated with excessive Copper consumption.
Chronic Lead toxicity can cause the hyperactivity that is associated with ADD.
Recreational Drugs
Alcohol (ethanol) consumption during Pregnancy can cause ADD in offspring.
Tobacco smoking during Pregnancy may cause ADD in offspring.
Ailments that Increase the Risk of ADD
Immune System
ADD patients are commonly found to have (Food) Allergies - many researchers have therefore speculated that (Food) Allergies may be an underlying cause of ADD.
Children who are prone to recurrent Otitis Media (middle ear infections) or Otitis Interna (inner ear infections) are at greater risk of ADD.
Metabolism
Hyperthyroidism is the underlying cause of some cases of ADD.
Dietary Strategy:
A high protein, moderate fat, low carbohydrate, sugar-free diet may be beneficial. Include vegetables, especially dark green leafy ones. Eliminate caffeine.
For best results, all suggested products should be taken
Suggested Products
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