| Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD) is | | | | with the support of Fisher Institute for Medical |
| characterized by inattention, impulsivity and, in | | | | Research,(Fisher Proceedings, Vol 4, No.2) studied |
| many cases, hyperactivity. ADHD affects up to | | | | the effects of glyconutritionals in children |
| 7% school age children. Problems with focus, | | | | diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity |
| concentration and impulsivity affect all levels of | | | | Disorder. 20 children between ages 5-18 were |
| both academic and interpersonal function. | | | | studied, with most children prescribed stimulants |
| Secondary problems include low self-esteem, | | | | at the onset of the study. The children were |
| anxiety and problems related to impulsive, | | | | administered glyconutritionals for 40 weeks from |
| hyperactive behavior. | | | | the onset of the study. |
| Psychostimulants have been well documented to | | | | 11 children completed the 40 week study. 2 of 11 |
| improve attention span, but not without risk of | | | | children experienced improvement by week 4. |
| adverse effects, including loss of appetite, | | | | This improvement was sustained for the duration |
| headache, stomachache, and mood changes. | | | | of the study. Considerable improvement was |
| There is a growing concern about what appears | | | | noted in 5 children by week 8 and in 2 children by |
| to be an increasing prescriptive use of controlled | | | | week 12. One child experienced transient progress |
| substances in children. | | | | by week 16, one other child did not appear to |
| Since 1990, prescriptions for methylphenidate | | | | exhibit any changes for the duration of the study. |
| have increased by 500%, while prescriptions for | | | | Side effects diminished considerably. A mean side |
| amphetamines have increased 400%. According | | | | effect score dropped from 18.75 to 0 by week |
| to Gene R. Haislip, Deputy Assistant Administrator, | | | | 40. |
| Drug Enforcement Administration, "There is a | | | | A second control group was studied; 13 children |
| legitimate place for these drugs, but we have | | | | were monitored without supplements for 12 |
| become the only country in the world where | | | | weeks and then started glyconutritional |
| children are prescribed a vast quantity of | | | | supplements. |
| stimulants that share virtually the same properties | | | | Of the 13 children in the control group, 7 exhibited |
| as cocaine. We must find a better balance". | | | | considerable improvement shortly after |
| In 1998, a small pilot study was conducted by | | | | administration of glyconutritional supplementation. |
| Dykman and Dykman to document the effects | | | | The progress was sustained for the duration of |
| of glyconutritional supplements in children with | | | | the study 16 weeks later. |
| ADHD. During the first two weeks of the study, | | | | These results suggest glyonutritional supplements |
| in children taking glyconutritionals, a decrease was | | | | may help children by reduction of symptoms of |
| noted in severity of symptoms associated with | | | | ADHD. Glyconutritionals may also play a role in |
| ADHD. (Integrative Physiological & Behavioral | | | | reducing side effects and improving tolerability to |
| Science; Jan-Mar 1998:33(1): 49-61.) | | | | medications. Clearly, more formal, and larger |
| Last year, this writer and a team of professionals, | | | | studies are needed. |