Alternatives to Medications
It seems that there are many “non- holistic” treatments such as Ritalin to aid in most of the childhood disorders that many children are suffering from these days. Autism, ADHD, ADD all seem to have increased in the past decade. Why do you think this is happening?
I know that if one of my children were diagnosed, I would want something holistic for treatment. There are some studies and recommendations on how to help with childhood disorder. I have found 4 suggestions:
1.Changing the diet to a nutritious one that eliminates processed foods, sugar and dyes.
2. Adding nutriceuticals such as evening primrose and zinc.
3. Adding B Vitamins, especially B6
4. Medication
There is a website: www.healthrecovery.com that I just looked at, and they provide information on maintaining health for adults and children with hyperactivity.
Why Evening Primrose Oil?
Evening Primrose oil: contains Omega-6: (GLA) Gamma Linolenic Acid which can help with mood and behavior.
It has been shown to help not only with anxiety, controlling mood and behaviors, but also in depression. Many studies showed improvement within 7-10 days.
Other suggestions are the B Vitamins, especially B6 which has been shown to help with children and adults for hyperactivity and general ability to focus on task.
Food As Medicine:
Rather than mask symptoms with drugs, take a look at the thousand of food additives in use, and clean up your diet along with your kids.
Common sense: Avoid chlorinated water, refined sugars, dyes, food additives, salicylates.
Salicylates are natural chemicals found in many fruits, especially abundant in almonds, apples, apricots, berries, cherries, grapes, nectarines, oranges, peaches, plums, prunes and raisins.
Follow a low protein diet
Research: There needs to be more research on the topic of hyperactivity in children. A study from preliminary research suggests that taking zinc along with evening primose oil may be beneficial in the treatment of indviduals diagnosed with attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder.
Taken in part from:
Stargrove, Treasure and Mckee. (2008) Herb, Nutrient and Drug Interactions: Clinical Inplications and Therapeutic Strategies. St. Louis, Mo. Mosby Elsevier
Hyperactive Behavior Remedies. http://www.healthrecovery.com/emotional-disorders/hyperactive-behaviors