Scientists now know that many
factors can play a role in the development of AD/HD in children. From food dyes
and second-hand smoke to toxic chemicals and genetics, both internal and
external influences may affect the severity of symptoms. Regardless of the
cause, there are a variety of treatments to help decrease the effects of
ADD/ADHD in your child’s life.
Food dyes
In 2008, the Center for Science in
the Public Interest (CSPI) petitioned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration,
urging it to ban eight artificial food dyes. According to CSPI, the following
eight dyes are believed to increase hyperactivity and other behavior problems
in children:
• Yellow 5 and 6
• Red 3 and 40
• Blue 1, 2 and 3
• Orange B
It’s not a new theory. Since the
1970s, numerous studies from around the world proved that some children’s
behavior ‘worsened” with the consumption of the dyes. In fact, the British
government is already pressuring food companies to use safer colorings.
Test: Omit food
products with artificial food dyes from your child’s diet. Look for organic products
or those that list only naturally colored ingredients.
Solution: If your
child seems more focused, less hyperactive or generally less anxious, talk to a
Registered Dietician about better food options. When in doubt, look for foods
that are labeled as organic or made with no preservatives.
Heavy metal
toxicity
High levels of toxic chemicals –
like lead, copper and aluminum – can be found in many ADHD children. Though the
cause can’t always be traced, some theorize that possible avenues could include
tainted water, drinking from aluminum cans, and food prepared in aluminum
cookware. Increased cadmium intake – as found in children who are regularly
exposed to second-hand smoke, may increase ADHD symptoms.
Test: A hair
analysis can screen for toxic metals.
Solution: Consult
with a holistic doctor or nutritionist who specializes in nutritional balancing
and hair mineral analysis. They should be able to provide you with products to
help detoxify your child’s body and supplement with important vitamins and
minerals that may be too low.
Genetics
If you or a close relative have ADD
or ADHD, chances are your child has it too. In fact, children whose father’s
had the disorder have a 30 percent chance of having it.
Test: While PET
brain scans can measure the size of the brain (People with ADD/ADHD have 3 – 4
percent smaller brains than the rest of the general population.) and for low
activity in the front-subcortical system (People with ADD/ADHD have less
activity in this region because it controls impulses and attention), they can
be costly and generally aren’t covered by insurance. A less expensive
(sometimes free) and more accurate test can be done with a professional
cognitive skills assessment. The tests measure the strength and weaknesses of
underlying cognitive skills, including things like auditory and visual
processing, memory, processing speed, comprehension, attention, and logic and
reasoning.
Solution: If a
professional cognitive skills assessment reveals weak brain skills in one or
more areas, you may want to consider cognitive skills training. While some
parents choose to put their children on Ritalin, medication should only be used
as a last resort. “ Over 50 percent of our ADHD students will discontinue
medication while in training,” explains Tanya Mitchell, Director of Training
for LearningRx (LearningRx.com), a national brain training franchise. “A child with ADD/ADHD
will almost always have weak attention skills, but it often goes hand in hand
with other weak skills. In most cases, cognitive skills training can strengthen
weak cognitive skills drastically – as much as three to five age levels.”
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