ADD and ADHD

Source:  University of Maryland Medical Center, Alternative and Complementary Medicine

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADD and ADHD) is the most commonly diagnosed behavioral disorder of childhood, estimated to affect between 3% and 5% of school-aged children. The core symptoms of ADHD include inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Although many people occasionally have difficulty sitting still, paying attention, or controlling impulsive behavior, these behaviors are so persistent in people with ADHD that they interfere with daily life. Generally, these symptoms appear before the age of 7 years and cause significant functional problems at home, in school, and in various social settings. One- to two-thirds of all children with ADHD (somewhere between 1% and 6% of the general population) continue to exhibit ADHD symptoms into adult life. By providing early intervention, it can substantially alter the course of a child's educational and social development.

Using Supplements

Using Herbs

Hyperactive Impulsive Types and Inattentive Types

Source: Remedyfind.com

So far researchers have identified three categories of ADD/ADHD: Hyperactive-Impulsive Type; Inattentive Type; and Combined Type. Individuals are diagnosed with ADHD: Combined Type if they have both the Hyperactive-Impulsive and Inattentive Type symptoms.
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Hyperactive-Impulsive Type

Zinc

Zinc is a trace mineral that plays a central role in immunity and thymic function.

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Arabinogalactan Formulas

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5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan)

As a supplement, 5-HTP may work by increasing levels of serotonin (also known as 5-HT), one of the neurotransmitter chemicals that carries messages between brain nerve cells. Neurotransmitters are secreted by one cell and picked up by receptor proteins on the surface of another cell. Once the message has been delivered, a neurotransmitter is either destroyed or absorbed into the cell that made it. This process is known as re-uptake. When re-uptake is inhibited, the effect of the neurotransmitter (in this case serotonin) is amplified. Neurotransmitters like serotonin are involved in the regulation of pain, pleasure, anxiety, panic, arousal, and sleep behavior (the sleep-wake cycle).

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Inattentive Type

Vitamin B-Complex Formulas

Supplementation with B-complex vitamins is somewhat controversial. Though it seems to be widely agreed that deficiencies of specific B vitamins are unlikely because of inadequate dietary intake, some alternative practitioners suggest that some individuals may benefit from taking B-complex formulas because they might not be able to absorb and metabolize the B vitamins effectively because of various health issues. As they are water soluble, excess amounts of B vitamins are mostly excreted in urine.

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Nutritional Supplement Formulas: Memory / Cognitive Support

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Cod Liver Oil/Fish Oil/Flax seed oil

Essential fatty acids are considered "essential" because they are the main structural components of the body's cell membranes, but cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained from the diet. Western diets are usually deficient in Omega-3 fatty acid however, and contain too many Omega-6 fatty acids (the other main type of EFA). The ratio of Omega-6's to Omega-3's in the Western diet is believed to be as high as 14:1 (14 grams of Omega 6's for every gram of Omega-3's), whereas a ration of no more than 3:1 is recommended. Excessive amounts of Omega-6 EFA's are believed to promote the development of many diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Saturated fats and vegetable oils like corn, soy, canola, safflower and sunflower oil are high in Omega-6 fatty acids, and interfere which the body's ability to utilize Omega-3 EFA’s.

Omega-3 fatty acid are found in certain plants like flax seed, canola oil and walnuts, and in cold water, fatty fish like mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, cod, albacore tuna and salmon. Relying on diet alone for Omega-3’s is difficult though. For instance, contamination is a potential issue when it comes to increasing the amount of fish in one’s diet because fish can accumulate toxins such as mercury, dioxins, and PCBs.

It is for this reason that many individuals choose to take fish oil supplements (including cod liver oil). fish oil contains the most beneficial and active Omega-3 EFA’s - eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). In contrast, the main Omega-3 EFA in flax seed oil is alpha-linolenic acid (LNA), which is converted to EPA and DHA in the body, though the rate of conversion probably varies by age, gender, and type of body tissue. There are three grades of fish oil: cod liver oil; health-food grade fish oil; and pharmaceutical-grade fish oil. In general, pharmaceutical-grade fish oil tends to be the most neutral in taste and may be more easily digested. Recognizing the unique benefits of EPA and DHA and the serious consequences of a deficiency the US National Institutes of Health recently published Recommended Daily Intakes of fatty acids. They recommend a total daily intake of 650 mg of EPA and DHA.

Cod Liver Oil, Fish Oil, and Flax seed oil is available as a liquid (often flavored with lemon), and as softgels.

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University of Maryland Medical Center

Using Supplements to address ADHD

Dietary supplements

A well-balanced diet rich in micronutrients is essential for normal brain development, particular in young children. In fact, many children with nutrient deficiencies have significant cognitive and behavioral problems. These conditions, however, are extremely rare in children living in industrialized countries like the United States. Nevertheless, children with ADHD tend to have irregular eating habits and are therefore at slightly increased risk for becoming mildly deficient in certain nutrients.

Megavitamin therapy

Using high-dose vitamin treatment (up to 10 times the recommended daily allowance) has been advocated as a treatment for many chronic conditions, including ADHD. However, there is no consistent evidence that megavitamin therapy is of benefit in hyperactive children, and, in some cases such therapy may actually have toxic effects.

Magnesium

Symptoms of magnesium deficiency include irritability, decreased attention span, and mental confusion. Mild magnesium deficiency is not uncommon in normally nourished children, and some experts believe that children with ADHD may be exhibiting the effects of mild magnesium deficiency. In one study of 116 children with ADHD, 95% were magnesium deficient. In a separate study, 75 magnesium-deficient children with ADHD were randomly assigned to receive magnesium supplements in addition to standard treatment or standard treatment alone for 6 months. Those who received magnesium demonstrated a significant improvement in behavior, whereas the control group exhibited worsening behavior.

Vitamin B6

Adequate levels of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) are required for normal brain development and are essential for the synthesis of essential brain chemicals including serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. A preliminary study found that pyridoxine was slightly more effective than methylphenidate (the most commonly used stimulant) in improving behavior among hyperactive children. The results, however, were not significant and no other studies have been able to confirm these findings. Therefore, supplementation with vitamin B6 is not considered a standard treatment for ADHD.

Iron

Iron deficiency is common among children and adolescents, particularly in lower socioeconomic groups where it affects half of all infants. Normal levels of iron in the blood are necessary for optimal brain function. Symptoms of iron deficiency include decreased attention, arousal, and social responsiveness. There is little scientific evidence, however, that iron supplementation in those who are deficient improves behavior in children with ADHD. Since iron can be toxic in children who are not deficient, there is little justification for its supplementation as treatment for ADHD in those with normal levels of this mineral. If iron levels are low, a healthcare provider can determine whether replacement is needed.

Zinc

Zinc regulates the activity of neurotransmitters, fatty acids, and melatonin, all of which are related to the biology of behavior. Two separate studies found that children with ADHD have significantly lower blood zinc levels than children without ADHD. Another study indicated that ADHD children with mild zinc deficiency may be less likely to improve from a commonly prescribed stimulant than children with adequate zinc levels. To date, however, no studies have been conducted to evaluate whether zinc supplementation improves behavior in children with ADHD who are deficient in this mineral.

Melatonin

Although melatonin supplementation probably has no direct effect on the primary symptoms of ADHD, it may be effective in managing sleep cycle disturbances in children with a variety of developmental disorders, including ADHD.

Essential Fatty Acids

Fatty acids play a key role in normal brain function. Since the body cannot synthesize essential fatty acids (EFA), they must be provided in the diet. There are two major types of EFAs: omega-3 fatty acids (found in cold-water fish such as salmon, mackerel, halibut, and herring) and omega-6 fatty acids (found in commonly used cooking oils, such as sunflower oil, safflower oil, corn oil, and soybean oil). Omega-3 fatty acids are highly concentrated in the brain and appear to play a particularly important role in cognitive and behavioral function. Specific enzymes convert EFAs (such as alpha linolenic acid [ALA]) into other substances known as long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). PUFAs, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic (DHA), are also essential for normal brain function. Some researchers believe that individuals with ADHD may have difficulty converting EFAs to PUFAs and may be deficient in both of these substances. In a recent study, researchers reported the following findings in hyperactive boys compared to boys of the same age who were not hyperactive:

• Lower blood levels of PUFAs and omega-3 fatty acids 
• More allergies and other health problems associated with EFA deficiencies 
• Less likelihood of having been breastfed (breast milk contains PUFAs) 

Another study found that boys with lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids had more learning and behavioral problems (such as temper tantrums and sleep disturbances) than boys with normal omega-3 fatty acid levels. Despite the accumulation of evidence suggesting a link between PUFA deficiency and ADHD, however, further studies are necessary before EFA supplementation can be recommended for children with ADHD.

Using Herbs to address ADHD