Do you know of any natural ways (no forms of medication) to help stint the effects of ADD?

Question

My mother thinks that medication is not the right route for me, but I disagree. However, I would like to know if anything has helped you overcome the inability to focus. I drink coffee when I feel that I'm going to spaz out, and I think it helps. My question is that do you know of anything else that I could benefit from?

Answer 1

The root causes of ADD are: a diet high in sugar and additives, food allergies/sensitivities/ hypoglycemia, nutritional deficiencies, poor digestion and absorption, heavy metal poisoning, and emotinoal stresses.

Nutritional therapy should be an important component of the treatment of ADD. The stretegies described here will improve behaviour and promote age-appropriate concentration and stability, and they will also help keep you free of many other diet-related disorders. The same general recommendations hold true for adults with this condition.

Recommended Foods:
The best way to ensure that you eat an additive-free diet is to buy only fresh foods and prepare them yourself (or your mum, depending on how old you are). You dont' need to prepare special meals just for you; feed the entire family a whole-foods diet. Younger children will usually eat what everyone else is eating, especially if you can reserve a small portion for them before you season the meal to the taste of adult palates.
B vitamins are healing to stressed-out nerves. Good sources include brown rice, brewer's yeast (which you can add to smoothies and yoghurt), and leafy green vegetables.
Man children with ADD suffer from an excess of copper or lead. Food that's high in vitamin C will encourage the release of these toxins from the body, so eat lots of citrus fruits for dessert.
Iron deficiency is linked to short attention spans and memory problems. If a blood test finds an iron deficiency, a daily tablespoon of unsulfured blackstrap molasses is a naturally sweet way to give you an adequate amount of this mineral.
Tryptophan encourages the production of serotonin, a chemical that produces a sense of calm. Incorporate soy products, live unsweetened yogurt, whole grains, and organic turkey and chicken into meals and snacks. If you have trouble sleeping, be sure to include some of these foods at dinner, and try a snack of turnkey or chicken on whole-grain crackers before bed time.
Anyone with food sensitivities should drink lots of clean water. Children over ten years of age should have a glass every two waking hours; children ten and under should drink half this amount.
Make sure to keep blood-sugar levels balanced by avoiding simple sugars and refined carbs and providing adequate protein with meals (nuts, legumes, lean poultry, and fish). Also, as much as possible include vegetables with meals, as they slow down blood sugar release. Eating smaller, more frequent meals and snacks (every two to three hours) works well. Make sure that breakfast is not skipped, as it sets the biochemical balance for the rest of the day.
Regularly serve brain-healthy foods that are rich in essential fatty acids. Examples include fish (trout, salmon, mackerel, etc), nuts (walnuts, almonds), and ground flaxseeds or flaxseed oil.

Foods to Avoid:
If you suffer from ADD it's likely you are allergic to at least one food product, if not several. If you suspect a certain food is a trigger, eliminate it immediately. You should closely examine your consumption of the following, all of which are common allergens - wheat, dairy, corn, chocolate, peanuts, citrus, soy, food colouring, and preservatives.
Do not eat anything with artificial colours - this means you'll have to eliminate fast food, as well as all junk and processed food. Read labels of frozen or canned products carefully.
Candy, sodas, and sweets are out of the question, but so are most store-bought fruit juices, which usually contain added sugar (sucrose). Anything with white flour is as bad as sugar.

Supplements that Help:
Essential fatty acids - from fish oil or flaxseed oil (DHA), 500-1000mg daily. Also GLA, 100mg daily, which is found in evening primrose oil, black currant, or borage oil. Products are available which combine these fatty acids.
Phosphatidylserine - 300-500mg daily. It's a naturally occurring substance found in high concentrations in brain cells; it helps them function properly.
Calcium and Magnesium complex - 500mg calcium & 250mg magnesium twice daily. They relax the nervous system.
Probiotic - take a probiotic to maintain good bacteria in the digestive tract. Take as directed on the container.
Vitamin B6 - 100mg daily for children five years or older. B6 is involved in the formation of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that has a calming effect. High doses of this vitamin are best used under the guidance of a nutrition-related doctor, along with a B-complex for balance.
High-potency Multi-vitamin - provides a base of nutrients required for brain function.
Gingko Biloba - brings oxygen and nutrients to the brain. Look for a product standarised to 24% flavone glycosides. People who are 16 and older should take 60 to 120mg twice a day. 30-60mg twice a day to children ages 10 through 15. Under 10 should be given 15-30mg twice a day.
GABA - an amino acid that has a calming effect on the mind (I take this one). Give 250mg two to three times daily between meals.
Zinc deficiency can contribute to ADD symptoms. Children ages 2 and older should get a daily total of 10-15mg, along with 2mg of copper.
Passionflower can be effective in calming children with ADD. Those 16 or older should take 100-200mg twice a day. Ages 10-15 should take 50-100mg twice daily. Under 10 should be given 25-50mg twice daily.

There are other natural therapies that can help you greatly, including kinesiology, homeopathy, acupressure, massage, reflexology, biofeedback (especially EEG), yoga.
There are also things called Bach Flower Remedies (I use them a lot), and they can be very beneficial, as long as the right one is used for the right reason.
Eg: for a child in an emotional crisis, use Rescue Remedy. Impatiens is for a child who moves, talks, and thinks quickly and who is angered by people who don't keep up with them.
Children plagued by recurring destructive impulses should take Cherry Plum.
Crab Apple will help children who are ashamed of their ADD.

Aside from everything I've just written, going to see a naturopath would be a fantastic idea. They can tell you exactly what is right for you specifically.
Good luck, hon :)

Answer 2

There is alot of work being done now with food allergies and food intolerances and how it ties into attention. If you have never had food allergy testing you may want to talk with your doctor. Also lead, mercury, tin and other heavy metals can build up in your body and affect attention giving ADD like symptoms. This can be detected with blood tests.

Try researching the specific carbohydrate diet ("Breaking the Viscious Cycle" by Elaine Gottschall) food intolerances "The Impossible Child" (cant remember who by). Another resource would be the DAN protocol.... even though it is mostly for individuals with autism it may behelpful as ADD and Autism are neurologically very closely related (www.autismwebsite/ari/dan.com)

Another neurological condition that is related to ADD is Sensory Integration Disorder.... an occupational therapist who is knowledgable with SI can help design some exercises and activities that help your body manage arousal and attention levels.... things like chewing gum, certain stretches, Willibarger Protocol, exercise balls, swinging etc all put input into the brain to help maintain appropriate focus and attention when needed.

You may also find chiropractic care to be helpful... look for a Doctor of Chiropractic who has done additional education in chiropractic neorology.

Another oldie but goodie is a program called Brain Gym which is used to increase pathways between the sides of the brain which increases alertness and attention.

There are lots of non medicine ways to help the symptoms.... but remember true ADD is caused by the body and the brain not making enough of the right neuro chemicals at the right times.... which affects arousal and alertness states. Proper medication just helps the body maintain these necessary bio chemicals. If you ahve had side effects in the past, it may have been the wrong medication or the wrong amount... not all medicine is bad.

You should be appladed for taking an active role in your healthcare. Keep researching and talking with your doctor so you can make the best choices.

Answer 3

Avoid the bad carbs (sugars, potatoe chips, soda).
But to add concentration, you should chew gum, bounce your knee, any repetative motions help with concentration. Go to the library/bookstore and research. There are plenty of non-drug solutions. You will be able to find some that work for you.

Answer 4

Try switching to an all natural diet. Stop eating processed foods. You and your mom will have to start reading labels. Don't eat anything that isn't readily identifiable as food. Pretty much if you can't pronounce it you probably shouldn't eat it. More exercise should help too. Also, I'm not sure that caffeine is a good thing if you have ADD. Good luck.

Answer 5

i know peppermint is said to have focused you better...
honestly i'm add and it doesn't really do anything for me...
I have been add my whole life, and my mom has tried to keep me off meds, and up until now (i'm 16) i just started taking them...
school wasnt really that hard for me but in order for me to realllyyy sit down and work hard i would have to want it, the effects of it, and i would have to be really committed, like i'm not stopping this until i'm done, and like depending on what your doing like for school work, like putting yourself inside of it, and making it fun (i know it sounds impossible) but its what i did when i tried to finish something quick... like if you have math problems, then be like ok, i'm going to get 2 more done and then once you finish it be like ok 2 more, and just break it down in increments... you can do that with anything in your life.... set goals for yourself! be excited to acheive something, and work towards another goal...

Answer 6

what helps even more than coffee--and gives you a bigger buzz--is Mountain Dew. Specifically, Diet Mountatin Dew (there is more caffeine in diet) has a more pronounced effect than coffee

Answer 7

train the monkey mind via meditation. This wil keep the mind from running in 15 directions at the same time.

Answer 8

I used behavioral therapy to control my ADHD, I use routines and schedules to break up my day into blocks of time that I can focus for and break large tasks into smaller tasks that easier to accomplish

Answer 9

accupuncture