| In order to improve the overall performance of a | | | | distressing. The child can be short tempered, |
| child with ADHD, natural remedies should be | | | | tense, and irritable simply by having a lower than |
| implemented. Wholesome cooking is essential to | | | | normal level of Magnesium. |
| improving the function of the brain in any child but | | | | Iron is an essential nutrient to assist in the body's |
| it is especially important in the ADHD child. Food | | | | ability to process blood to form energy. A |
| provides the necessary fuel for increased | | | | chemical reaction takes place at the cellular level |
| circulation of nutrients to the brain. Certain | | | | that transports food and oxygen to every part |
| portions of the brain in the ADHD child are under | | | | of the body. Recent studies have shown that |
| active and utilizing simple natural remedies will | | | | 75% of ADD children have some form of iron |
| increase blood flow to these crucial areas. | | | | deficiency. A good multi vitamin with iron should |
| Improvement in behaviors and concentration will | | | | be administered daily. There are many commercial |
| be obvious in a very short amount of time. | | | | vitamin supplements on the market today. Check |
| The best dietary change for the ADHD child is a | | | | with your child's physician for the best brand to |
| high protein, low carbohydrate diet. Some good | | | | use. |
| protein sources are meats, fish, eggs, soy, and | | | | When considering the best form of vitamin in |
| beans. Carbohydrates should be kept to a | | | | hyperactive treatment of your ADD child, it is |
| minimum. These foods consist of starches and | | | | always helpful to look at the absorbability of the |
| sugars. Some carbohydrates are better utilized by | | | | supplement. Supplements in pill form are only |
| the body than others and can be included in the | | | | absorbed approximately 10-20%. Most vitamins |
| diet. These good carbohydrate foods are broccoli, | | | | are water soluble meaning they are readily |
| spinach, nuts, sweet potatoes, strawberries, | | | | absorbed by the body. However, some vitamins |
| blueberries, apricots, dried fruits, and oranges. | | | | such as A and E are fat soluble meaning they can |
| Recent studies reveal that dietary supplements | | | | "build up" in the body over time and can actually |
| are a necessary component in battling the | | | | cause toxicity. Typically, liquids and chewable |
| symptoms of ADHD. In order to sustain | | | | tablets are absorbed better because they don't |
| attentiveness in the ADHD child, a good source of | | | | rely on the stomach to break them down. Once |
| essential fatty acids is strongly encouraged by | | | | you find a good quality multi vitamin, you should |
| many clinicians. DHA has been proven to be | | | | see a dramatic effect on your ADD child's |
| beneficial in these children. DHA makes up 80% of | | | | performance. |
| the body's nerve endings and testing has revealed | | | | A holistic approach should be considered when |
| that the ADD child has a below average amount | | | | treating the ADD child. The goal is to reduce the |
| of this substance. Supplemental DHA should be an | | | | amount of pharmaceutical products such as |
| important consideration in the treatment of this | | | | medications as much as possible, even to the |
| disorder. | | | | extent of no longer needed them. The |
| Another significant supplement that should be | | | | combination of proper diet and natural |
| considered in the natural treatment of ADHD is | | | | supplementation may replace the need for |
| Magnesium. This element has been proven to be | | | | medications altogether. It is important to |
| very valuable in controlling the child's hyperactive | | | | remember that any natural remedies will take |
| behavior. The cells of the body require Magnesium | | | | longer to achieve full benefit but it will be well |
| to allow a state of muscle relaxation. When the | | | | worth it in the end. |
| body is deficient, the results can be very | | | | |