Natural ADD Supplements – Alternative Treatment for ADD/ADHD
A big concern of parents these days is if and when they are going to receive the "official" diagnosis - that little Johnny or little Susie has ADD/ADHD.
They were aware that their child was a bit overactive. And the report from the teachers was that little Johnny had a hard time focusing, getting along with others, and remaining "on task."
But the "official" diagnosis meant that they were expected to do something about this "problem." And that "something" was probably expected to be a drug like Ritalin.
Many parents are informed by teachers or health care professionals that they will be failing their children if they decide against putting them on Ritalin or other drugs routinely used to treat ADD.
Lots of parents, wanting their children to lead happy and productive lives, give in to the pressure because of a lack of information about alternative treatments.
Natural ADD Supplements are Finally Reaching the Mainstream
Some parents are however, beginning to question the wisdom of stringing their children out on drugs like Ritalin and other amphetamines routinely used to treat ADD/ADHD.
Neurochemically, these drugs share a similarity to cocaine.
Countries such as Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Britain do not routinely prescribe stimulants for ADD/ADHD as we do here in the U.S.
As a matter of fact, stimulants in the U.S. are prescribed for ADD/ADHD at a rate of five times that of all the other world's countries combined.
The UN recently reported that between 3 and 5 percent of the schoolchildren in America are currently taking Ritalin.
But things are beginning to change.
More and more parents are beginning to learn about natural ADD supplements. They are beginning to seek alternatives to stimulants such as Ritalin, Cylert, and Dexedrine, or antidepressants like Prozac or Wellbutrin, or other commonly prescribed medications such as Desipramine and Clonidine.
Alternative Treatments and Natural ADD Supplements
Although the diagnosis of ADD/ADHD may be justified for some kids, it is felt that in a lot of cases the diagnosis is misplaced and undeserved.
Most kids are naturally active and curious -- it is the nature of the child. But in this daycare oriented society, the model child is the one who sits still all day and is "seen, not heard."
The child who seems to be a bit overactive, the one who tries climbing the bookshelf, or the one who has a difficult time turning it off after coming in from the playground, risk the "official" diagnosis.
According to Ward Dean, MD, "A major contributing factor to the ADD epidemic is the little-known fact that public (government) schools all have federally-supported programs for the learning disabled. The more children who are diagnosed with ADD, the more federal money the schools receive, giving public schools a tremendous incentive to maintain as high a number of children with ADD as possible."
So when it comes to natural ADD supplements, what is found to be effective?
A growing school of thought seems to point to your child's diet as a significant contributing factor in her inability to remain "on task." Unfortunately, this subject is beyond the scope of our discussion.
However just briefly, a diet high in protein and fat (polyunsaturated) and low in carbohydrates, has been shown to add focus to hyperactive children.
As for the nutrients and homeopathic remedies that are gaining in popularity for their effectiveness, let's look at a few.
DMAE -- occurs naturally in such foods as sardines and anchovies (you feed them to your kids, right)? DAME has been shown to be a real brain booster.
Magnesium -- this mineral has been called the unappreciated "mineral of life." Magnesium is responsible for activating the over 300 enzymes that are absolutely necessary for the biochemical reactions of our brain cells.
5-HTP -- this is what's called a precursor of (comes before and is required for the production of) serotonin. Serotonin is a brain neurotransmitter responsible for natural feelings of well being. Serotonin deficiencies have been linked to depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances as well as over eating and carbohydrate craving.
To learn more about these and other natural ADD supplements, be sure to check out our page on homeopathic remedies for ADD/ADHD.
You can learn about much more than just natural ADD supplements at our content rich site called Health Supplements Advisor.