It does not matter how long you watch children playing, they never seem to get tired.
So when you get a call from your child’s teacher saying that she thinks your child is hyperactive, what does that mean? Surely, the fact that a child cannot sit still for long is normal?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the term used to describe an ever-increasing number of children with behavioural and learning problems, ranging from hyperactivity and poor attention span, to disruptiveness, speech problems, and temper tantrums.
These children normally have a tough time at school and, as you might expect, at home too. The belief used to be that the child would grow out of it, but as evidence shows, left untreated, these children often grow up to become delinquent teenagers who end up abusing alcohol and drugs.
So what is the answer? Well, standard medical treatment usually involves the drug Ritalin, a habit-forming amphetamine with many properties similar to cocaine. As parents, you are right to be worried about its long-term effects. Instead, I would advocate some simple nutritional changes.
More often than not, children with ADHD have one or more nutritional imbalances that, once identified and corrected, can lead to dramatic improvements in their energy, focus, concentration, and behaviour.
The first and easiest culprit in the ADHD story is sugar. According to one expert, giving a hyperactive child sugar is like “putting rocket fuel in a Mini.”
And I would have to agree. Ensuring that they get their fill of healthy food will also go some way to correct any nutrient deficiencies which are commonly seen in hyperactive kids.
For example, a deficiency in magnesium (found in sukuma wiki, lentils, and nuts) can lead to excessive fidgeting, anxious restlessness, coordination problems, and learning difficulties.
While you are substituting the “bad” foods, make sure that you avoid foods rich in salicylates, chemicals that may trigger an inherited predisposition to hyperactivity. These foods include apples, berries, cucumbers, grapes, nectarines, oranges, peaches, plums, prunes, raisins, tangerines, and tomatoes.
It is also important to keep an eye out for any potential allergies. Did you know that children with ADHD are seven times more likely to have food allergies than other children?
Removing MSG (monosodium glutamate), artificial colourings and flavourings from their diets and minimising processed food, all the while emphasising homemade meals is a great start.
If an allergy is at play and is contributing to the ADHD, symptoms to watch out for include nasal problems, excessive mucus, ear infections, tonsillitis, digestive problems, bad breath, eczema, asthma, headaches, and bed wetting. If your child is suffering from any of these, it may be worth seeing a clinical nutritionist who can help you identify the allergens.
One supplement I regularly prescribe to children with ADHD is one containing omega-3 fats — it is a nutrient that the majority of them are deficient in. As always, look for one that contains at least 400mg each of EPA and DHA, the active components, so you know you are getting a good product.
The writer is a clinical nutritionist and certified by the Nutritional Therapy Council in the UK. Please direct any questions about family nutrition to her on living@nutritionbysona.com
Comments