Conditions > ADD/ADHD

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Definition

Attention deficit disorder is characterized by poor or short attention span and impulsivity, with or without hyperactivity. This disorder is approximately ten times more common in males than females. Most cases are diagnosed in children but adult ADD or adult ADHD occur also. The conventional medical treatment of this condition is the use of psychostimulant drugs such as Ritalin.

Issues

The Pfeiffer Treatment Center (PTC) approaches illnesses from a biochemical and nutritional perspective. Between 90-150 different laboratory tests are performed on each patient treated at the Pfeiffer Treatment Center. They offer highly individualized treatments based on the extensive biochemical testing and have seen more than 6000 people diagnosed with ADD/ADHD. The following articles by co-founder and senior scientist of the PTC, William Walsh PhD, outline the biochemical/nutritional basis for behavioral disorders such as ADD/ADHD:

The PTC has found that there is no ‘one size fits all’ nutritional program for those requiring treatment for ADD/ADHD. They have discovered that several biochemical classifications exist, each requiring different treatment. According to the Pfeiffer Treatment Center, about 90% of people with behavior disorders, including those with ADD/ADHD, fit into one of the four following biochemical groups:

Table 1: Behavior disorder biochemical subtypes.

	Type A	Type B	Type C	Type D
Defining Characteristic	Multiple chemical imbalances	Multiple chemical imbalances	Malabsorption	Glucose-control problems (hypoglycemia)
Zinc levels	Generally low	Generally low	Generally low
Lead and/or cadmium levels	Elevated	Elevated
Sodium and potassium levels in hair	Low	Elevated
Common behavioral and physical characteristics	Episodic outbursts, fighting or severe tantrums which may be quite violent interspersed with periods of excellent behavior, remorseful after calmed down	Oppositional, violent, assaultive behavior, pathological liars, remorseless, defiant, antisocial, cruel, fascination with fire, criminality	Non-violent, oppositional, irritable, impulsive, slender, poor achievement record (school or work)	Non-violent, irritable, fatigue, sugar cravings, poor achievement record (school or work)
Other common chemical or physiological characteristics	Abnormal blood histamine (high or low)	Elevated blood histamine, low blood spermine, elevated kryptopyrroles in urine (pyroluria)	Multiple nutrient deficiencies, irritation of the intestinal tract, etc.	Depressed manganese and chromium levels

Significant findings from the Pfeiffer Treatment Center:

Proportion of people ADD/ADHD population with copper/zinc regulation problems:	~ 68%
Proportion of people ADD/ADHD population with zinc deficiency	~ 75%
Proportion of people ADD/ADHD population with gastrointestinal tract problems	~ 11%

Omega-3 fatty acids and ADD/ADHD

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential components of brain cell membranes, including those of neurotransmitter receptors. Omega-3 fatty acids also alter signal transduction and electrical activity in brain cells and control the synthesis of chemicals such as eicosanoids and cytokines, which may have a direct effect on mood and behavior. Evidence supporting the role of fatty acid imbalances in the pathology of ADD/ADHD:

Research consistently finds people with ADD/ADHD have lower levels of essential fatty acids than controls.
A large proportion of people with ADD/ADHD display essential fatty acid deficiency symptoms (e.g. excessive thirst, frequent urination, vision impairment, dry skin and hair, learning difficulties.)
There is evidence of an abnormality in essential fatty acid metabolism in a significant proportion of people with ADD/ADHD.
Research suggests that people with lower levels of essential fatty acids have higher levels of behavior, learning and health problems.

Related Article:

Hyperactivity and Fatty Acids by Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratory

Heavy Metals and ADD/ADHD

An accumulation of heavy metals in the body can contribute to behavioral disorders. Hair mineral analysis is a valuable resource used for testing for toxic mineral accumulation. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) uses hair mineral analysis for this purpose.

	Possible related symptoms
Lead	Hyperactivity, restlessness, anxiety, irritability, fatigue, mood disorders, aggressiveness, reduced attention, reduced IQ, reduced memory
Cadmium	Aggression, decreased verbal Intelligence, fatigue
Mercury	Irritability, nervousness, anxiety, fatigue, memory loss, repetitive behavior, social deficits, reduced attention, language/speech deficits

Related Articles:

Hyperactivity and Element Imbalances by Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratory
Toxic Metals and Mental Health by Mark D. Filidei, DO

Food/chemical sensitivities and ADD/ADHD

This connection between food sensitivities and ADD/ADHD was made famous by Benjamin Feingold, MD. Considerable research has been carried out in the role of food additives (colorings, dyes, etc.) and food sensitivities in respect to ADD/ADHD. The results are mixed. Overall, it can be concluded that a subgroup of people diagnosed with ADD/ADHD (of controversial size) are sensitive to specific additives and foods. Many alternative medicine practitioners overplay the importance of this connection, making general recommendations as opposed to individual ones based of sensitivitiy testing or elimination diets. A subgroup of the ADD/ADHD population may also have a form of sensitivity to a range of environmental chemicals which may be contributing to symptoms.

Most common food sensitivities in ADD/ADHD population:

Wheat and gluten (wheat/barley/oats/rye)
Dairy products
Salicylates (synthesized by many plants - extensive list of food concentrations of salicylates)
Tartrazine (food additive 102 in Australia)
MSG (monosodium glutamate)

Related article:

Hyperactivity and allergies by Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratory

Hypoglycemia and ADD/ADHD

Hypoglycemia is characterized by low blood sugar concentrations. Hypoglycemia can reduce the glucose supply to brain, contributing to difficulty in concentrating, irritability, mood swings and fatigue. In a subgroup of people with ADD/ADHD, hypoglycemia may be a major contributing factor.

Publications

	ADD & ADHD: Complementary Medicine Solutions by Charles Gant MD, PhD, NMD, 1999 Dr Charles Gant is a medical doctor with a PhD in psychology and a BS in chemistry. From his site: "His ADHD research (papers available) suggests that ADHD is caused by easily correctable brain toxicity and/or nutritional deficiencies and that pharmaceutical treatments for ADHD are now dangerous and obsolete. Dr Gant resolves the battles being waged over ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Are they biochemical or not? Can nutrients and diet be used to treat ADD & ADHD or not? Is medication dangerous or not? The answers are: They are, they can, and it is. But how could ADD and ADHD be biochemical problems which should not be treated with medication? This book answers this question once and for all."
	Good News for the Alphabet Kids: How to Reverse Learning and Behavioural Disorders Without Drugs. by Mike Sichel DO, ND, PhD (of Chittaway Bay, NSW, Australia), 2004 "Modern medicine endeavours to help people who suffer from ADD ADHD & Autism with drugs like Ritalin, often in combination with psychiatric counselling. Neither of these reaches the core of the problem—internal physical dysfunction." Michael Sichel - ADD ADHD Specialist
	The Hyperactivity Hoax : How To Stop Drugging Your Child And Find Real Medical Help by Sydney Walker, MD (psychiatrist and neurologist), 1997 This book discusses in detail the underlying medical conditions which cause the symptoms of AD(H)D. The following article discusses Sydney Walker's treatment protocol - Finding the Medical Causes of Severe Mental Symptoms: The Extraordinary Walker Exam
	Nutritional Influences on Mental Illness: A Sourcebook of Clinical Research (second edition) by Melvyn Werbach MD, 1999 Melvyn Werbach MD is a psychiatrist and nutritional medicine researcher. This excellent book contains a section on ADHD which reviews a huge amount of clinical research on its nutritional treatment. A considerably more detailed version of this document is available on the following CD-ROM: Werbach's Nutritional Influences on Illness CD-ROM, 1997
	12 Effective Ways to Help Your ADD/ADHD Child: Drug-Free Alternatives for Attention-Deficit Disorders by Laura Stevens, 2000 Laura Stevens is a masters degree nutritionist, founder of Nutrition in Action, Inc. and has developed the ADD/ADHD online newsletter. Her first book relating to AD(H)D was written in 1977 and entitled How to Feed Your Hyperactive Child.
	Dr Hoffer's ABC of Natural Nutrition for Children: With Learning Disabilities, Behavioral Disorders, and Mental State Dysfunctions by Abram Hoffer MD, PhD, 1999. Read a review by Dr Saul
	Natural Treatments for ADD and Hyperactivity by Dr Skye Weintraub, 1997
	The ADD and ADHD. Diet! by Rachel Bell & Dr Howard Peiper, 2001
	The ADD Nutrition Solution: A Drug-Free Thirty-Day Plan by Marcia Zimmerman (nutritional biochemist), 1999

Recommendations

Find and work with a supportive and knowledgeable health professional who practices nutritional and environmental medicine and can perform/take a thorough individualised assessment. If you live in Perth, Western Australia you may book an appointment for a consultation with Integrative Nutritionist Blake Graham by phoning (08) 9487 7409 or emailing Blake via the Contact page. Non-Perth residents may enquire about phone consultations. If you are in need of a practitioner in your area, see the Defeat Autism Now! (DAN!) Practitioner List. The following four tests are the first test panel I currently recommend: Have a Complete Digestive Stool Analysis (CDSA) which tests for dysbiosis (imbalance of micro-flora in gastrointestinal tract), bacterial overgrowth, digestive problems and parasites Test for ‘leaky gut’ (increased intestinal permeability) Test for pyroluria Have a hair mineral analysis and/or a post-chelation toxic element clearance profile which tests for heavy metals Other tests to be considered which I presently consider at some stage after the initial testing and treatments: Organic Acid Test (OAT) (which tests for yeast, bacteria, nutrient abnormalities, inborn errors of metabolism, toxin exposure, etc.) Amino acids testing Identify any food, chemical or other sensitivities Ensure an optimum intake and balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids Minimise exposure to environmental pollutants. If you feel that one or more of the following issues [stress, depression, unresolved trauma, cravings/addictions, fears, phobias, anger, pain, insomnia, etc.] is contributing to your health problem in some way, consider Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). See www.integrative-clearing.com.au for quality EFT consultations and workshops in Perth, Western Australia or visit the official EFT website for a worldwide listing of EFT practitioners. Consider using Awakened Minds Focus Audio Technology to improve your concentration and attention.

Find and work with a supportive and knowledgeable health professional who practices nutritional and environmental medicine and can perform/take a thorough individualised assessment. If you live in Perth, Western Australia you may book an appointment for a consultation with Integrative Nutritionist Blake Graham by phoning (08) 9487 7409 or emailing Blake via the Contact page. Non-Perth residents may enquire about phone consultations. If you are in need of a practitioner in your area, see the Defeat Autism Now! (DAN!) Practitioner List.
The following four tests are the first test panel I currently recommend:

Have a Complete Digestive Stool Analysis (CDSA) which tests for dysbiosis (imbalance of micro-flora in gastrointestinal tract), bacterial overgrowth, digestive problems and parasites
Test for ‘leaky gut’ (increased intestinal permeability)
Test for pyroluria
Have a hair mineral analysis and/or a post-chelation toxic element clearance profile which tests for heavy metals

Other tests to be considered which I presently consider at some stage after the initial testing and treatments:

Organic Acid Test (OAT) (which tests for yeast, bacteria, nutrient abnormalities, inborn errors of metabolism, toxin exposure, etc.)
Amino acids testing

Identify any food, chemical or other sensitivities
Ensure an optimum intake and balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
Minimise exposure to environmental pollutants.
If you feel that one or more of the following issues [stress, depression, unresolved trauma, cravings/addictions, fears, phobias, anger, pain, insomnia, etc.] is contributing to your health problem in some way, consider Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). See www.integrative-clearing.com.au for quality EFT consultations and workshops in Perth, Western Australia or visit the official EFT website for a worldwide listing of EFT practitioners.
Consider using Awakened Minds Focus Audio Technology to improve your concentration and attention.

Links

ADD & ADHD: Successful Nutritional and Other Natural Treatments by John Dommisse, MD, FRCP(C)
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Causes and Possible Solutions by William G. Crook, MD, FAAP
Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorders by Dr. Lawrence Wilson (MD and nutrition consultant)
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Children: Rationale for Its Integrative Management by Parris Kidd, PhD
Drug Side Effects Forum and Message Board - A community site where people share the drug side effects they've experienced.
Fifty Conditions That Mimic ADHD
Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratory: Hyperactivity and ADD
How to Break the ADD/ADHD Cycle by Great Plains Laboratory
Life Extension Foundation: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Nutrient Therapies for ADHD by John Dye, ND

Key Terms

Complementary Medicine, ADHD treatment, Nutritional Medicine, Alternative Medicine, ADD Treatment, Integrative Medicine, Alternative Therapies, ADHD Diet, ADD Diet, Naturopathic Medicine, Natural Therapies, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), Nutritional Healing, ADHD children Holistic Medicine, Natural Healing, ADHD nutrition, Herbal Medicine, ADHD and nutrition, Nutritionist, Herbs, Diet, ADHD alternative treatment, Nutrition, EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), Perth, Natural Medicine

	Mental/Neurological
	Physical