| In previous articles we covered what ADD
is and how to diagnose it. In
this third instalment we're going
to begin a series on how to treat
ADD. ADD can actually be battled
from many directions. There are
drugs, behavior modification,
nutrition, exercise, and a number
of other things that can be done
to combat ADD in both children
and adults. In this article we
are going to choose the natural
route first and discuss proper
nutrition which can have a huge
effect on the behavior of someone
suffering from ADD. One of the
main contributing factors to children
who suffer from ADD is when their
blood sugar level, or glucose
level becomes too low. This causes
them to become sleepy in class
and then ultimately restless because
they are bored. Glucose is extremely
important in determining a child's
attention span. This may sound
clichéd but the most important
meal of the day is breakfast and
glucose should be a part of every
child's breakfast. This will ensure
that the child's blood sugar level
is maintained throughout the day.
Kids who skip breakfast tend to
have a shorter attention span
and a harder time remembering
things. Next is vitamin B. Vitamin
B is needed because it helps to
release the energy in glucose.
Without the proper amount of vitamin
B in the diet a child can become
aggressive and depressed. There
are 12 essential parts to vitamin
B so it may be difficult for a
child to get all the vitamin B
he or she needs just from eating,
even though cereal is a good source
of vitamin B. To supplement the
rest a good multi vitamin capsule
will do the trick. Also very important
is iron. Iron aids in transporting
oxygen to the blood system and
the individual cells, most importantly,
brain cells. Not enough iron in
the diet results in anaemia, which
is very common in children who
don't have a balanced diet. Anaemic
children, as well as adults, are
very tired and don't have the
energy to do the things that want
to or need to do. Good sources
of iron are red meat, tuna, chicken
and vegetables like broccoli.
Folic acid is also essential as
this helps in the formation of
red and white blood cells. Not
enough folic acid will also make
a child feel tired, irritable
and forgetful. Fruits and vegetables
are good sources of folic acid.
Zinc is needed to maintain communication
between the brain cells and the
nerve cells. Zinc deficiencies
can cause your child to have difficulty
in solving academic problems,
which can lead to frustration
for the child, therefore bringing
on ADD symptoms. Zinc can be found
in cereals and peanuts. Vitamin
A is important for the nervous
system. Vitamin A also helps to
strengthen vision. Many times
a child will have problems in
school because of impaired eye
sight. Vitamin A can help to improve
the eye sight which in turn will
lessen the child's frustration.
Vitamin A can be found in carrots
and many orange or yellow fruits
like bananas. Proper nutrition
is an essential part of a child's
health whether he or she has ADD
or not. But in children with ADD,
proper nutrition is critical.
In the next article we'll cover
other treatments for those suffering
from ADD. -------------------------------------------------------
Michael Russell Your Independent
guide to Attention Deficit Disorder
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