The Ritalin Craze.... Make an Informed Choice!

Drug therapy with Ritalin (Methylphenidate) or similar drugs is the conventional approach for dealing with ADHD, and Ritalin’s popularity is growing. Prescriptions for the drug have doubled in the last 10 years! Ritalin is a central nervous system stimulant used in ADHD to improve concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. While Ritalin therapy may be appropriate for some cases of ADHD, I believe it’s all too often used as a “band-aid approach” to deal with a problem that often responds to less invasive therapies. In some parts of the U.S., 6 out of 100 children take Ritalin every day. Still, there are media reports that the drug is underused! Today school officials and medical professionals alike often push Ritalin on kids in an effort to curb school disturbances and accelerate learning.

Ritalin does not cure ADHD, and it can have side effects. Ritalin can cause sleeplessness, facial tics, headache, stomachache, depression, decreased appetite, high blood pressure, seizures and heart palpitations. Although a causal relationship has not been proved, Ritalin may affect a child’s growth. It definitely should not be used in cases of severe depression, general fatigue, hypertension or epilepsy. And, Ritalin must be used very cautiously with other drugs. There are 21 reported drug-drug interactions with Ritalin, including reactions with over-the-counter cold medicines. Like other amphetamines, Ritalin could cause small vessel damage in the heart.

The good news is your child might not need a Ritalin prescription to improve hyper behavior. Food sensitivities and hypoglycemia play a huge role in the severity of symptoms, so making simple changes in diet may make a great difference in well being. Supplementing with essential fatty acids like DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) can go a long way towards improving focus. Herbal nervines like gotu kola and scullcap are a specific for calming nervous system stress.

ADHD Diet Tips: Diet improvement is the key to changing ADD behavior. Results are almost immediately evident, generally within 1 to 3 weeks.

* Food sensitivities play a major part in attention disorders. Reduce sugar intake (almost always involved in ADHD reactions). Make sure any sugary foods are part of a well-balanced meal. Use stevia instead of refined sugar to sweeten drinks or baked foods. Reduce carbonated drinks (Excess phosphorus). Eliminate red meats (nitrates).
* Did you know that Americans consume 8-10 lbs of additives a year? Read food labels carefully. 70% of kids with ADD react to chemical additives. Avoid all food products with preservatives, BHT, MSG, BHA, additives and colors. The yellow food dye tartrazine has been implicated in hyperactivity problems.
* The ongoing diet should be high in vegetable proteins (beans, soy foods, nuts and seeds), and whole grains, with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and no junk or fast foods. Use organically grown foods when possible. Have a green salad every day.
* Include calming tryptophan-rich foods like turkey, tuna, wheat germ, yogurt and eggs. Add lecithin granules to whole grain cereal or yogurt for brain boosting phosphatides.
* Add EFA-rich foods: seaweeds, spinach, canteloupe, soy foods, fish and seafoods. Stay away from trans fats in fried food, baked goods and snack foods which disrupt brain function.

Calming herbs for symptom relief

Note: Whole herbs and supplements are not a substitute for ADHD medications. Instead, they work gently to support brain and nervous system health, improving daily focus and well being.

•Improve focus, reduce hyper behavior: ADD-Vantage, 1-2 caps daily mixed in juice.

•Enhance sleep: Calcium-Magnesium source extract in warm water 1 hour before bedtime, a rapid calmative; lemon balm or catnip tea, extra calming

• For older kids and adults: Ginkgo biloba drops daily helps inner ear balance. Reishi capsules as directed to promote inner calm

Add EFA’s (essential fatty acids) to help correct prostanglandin imbalance:

• DHA 100mg (Omega-3’s with DHA fatty acids); or Black currant or borage oil; or Evening Primrose oil, 500mg; or Omega-3 flax oil.

Bodywork options to reduce hyper behavior

•Massage therapy, acupressure, hypnosis and biofeedback have shown some success.

•Try warm baking soda and sea salt baths before bedtime.