A D H D

Written By Nutriwonders

ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER CONTINUED

We promised that We would continue Dr. Whitaker's discussion of ADHD (attention deficit/hyperactivity disease). We will quote him. "Folks, diseases are not invented; they are discovered, and their characteristic symptoms and underlying pathology are clearly delineated. With ADHD, there is no underlying pathology ("pathology" refers to clearly defined disease process, e.g. a tumor or gene abnormality. ed.). Kids with ADHD have completely normal brains and nervous systems.

"Nor do the symptoms of ADHD suggest that it is a disease. According to current diagnostic standards, a child is labeled with ADHD if he or she exhibits six of l8 symptoms in one of two classes. Get a load of this. (Dr. Whitaker is from Georgia. ed.) INATTENTION: fails to pay close attention or makes careless mistakes in school-work, has difficulty paying attention, doesn't listen when talked directly to, doesn't follow through on instruction or complete tasks, has difficulty organizing tasks and activities, avoids homework, and school work. HYPERACTIVITY-IMPULSIVITY: fidgets, leave (sic) seat in classroom, runs about or climbs excessively, has difficulty awaiting turn and often interrupts."

Dr. Whitaker's point seems rather obvious. The behavior described is so common amongst children that it is to be expected and is considered ordinary and normal. The child of course must be trained and corrected through encouragement and proper disciplinary procedures. Dr. Whitaker is appalled, and so are we, that this rather ordinary behavior, which our parents would have thought described a normal child, must now be considered a disease and require the medicating of "six to seven million kids" with "the addictive, amphetamine-like drug Ritalin."

ANOTHER REMEDY FOR ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER

A recent article published in "Pharmacology Research" states: "During the last 50 years, many infants have been fed formula diets lacking DHA and other omega-3 fatty acids. DHA deficiencies are associated with foetal alcohol syndrome, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, cystic fibrosis, phenylketonuria, unipolar depression, aggressive hostility, ... Decreases in DHA in the brain are associated with cognitive decline during aging and with onset of sporadic Alzheimer disease. The leading cause of death in western nations is cardiovascular disease. Epidemiological studies (studies of diseases affecting large populations, ed.) have shown a strong correlation between fish consumption and reduction in sudden death from myocardial infarction. The reduction is approximately 50% with 200 mg/day of DHA from fish, or fish oil capsules....DHA is present in fatty fish (tuna, salmon, mackerel) and mother's milk."

The fact that DHA is found in mother's milk and is responsible for the higher intelligence of breast fed children, has prompted the AMA (American Medical Association) and the FDA (Federal Drug Administration) to adopt guidelines for putting DHA in formula. Wouldn't it be more simple to encourage women to breast feed? Only 3 to 4 percent of American women breast feed. Is this why school scores are so poor in the United States? To date (2003) neither Enfamil nor Similac contain DHA; although the promise to include DHA was made in 2000 based upon knowledge that Japan and Europe include DHA in childrens' formulae.

Good Health!

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