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ADHD: From Ritalin to
Natural Solutions
"Boys will be boys" or "they're just
excited" are the most commonly heard retorts of exasperated
parents of kids who behave badly. Many of these children are not
acting out of malicious intent; they are just biochemically out
of balance. The scientific arena only began research into this
behavior at the turn of the 20th century. Dr. George Still was
introduced to several young children who he described as having
"defective moral control". He studied many patients and gave
lectures on his findings in hope to bring attention to this
serious disorder. For most of the 20th century, our
understanding has steadily grown, but many holes remain.
The
disease had no particular name until 1987 when scientists began
referring to it as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADD or ADHD is now
considered the most common behavioral problem in America,
affecting more than 3.5 million children. According to the
American Psychiatric Association, ADD is a term used to depict
children who display characteristics of hyperactivity along with
impulsive and/or inattentive behavior. The long-term problems
associated with this disorder include the following: learning,
socialization, and a risk of psychopathology in adulthood.
Various biological factors are considered to have a causal
relationship to ADD. These include neurochemical imbalances,
nutritional deficiencies, food allergies, hypoglycemia, poor
eating habits, and environmental chemicals. Unfortunately,
controversial drugs such as Ritalin, and Adderall are the most
commonly used medical treatments for children with ADD. Both of
the drugs are powerful central nervous stimulants and can
produce addictive tendencies. They also can cause harmful side
effects such as nervousness, insomnia, tachycardia, and loss of
appetite. These drugs function by increasing the levels of
catecholamines (dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine)
available at the synapses in the brain.
Today, however, no
one has pinpointed the exact cause of ADHD, but some interesting
research has been taking place.
Identical twins are more
likely than fraternal twins to both suffer from ADHD. Since
identical twins share genetic material, this leads some to
believe that ADHD may have a genetic component.
About seventy
percent of ADHD children continue having ADHD when they are
adults.
Another interesting line of research is in the cells
of the brain. The ends of nerve cells do not touch one another,
so messages must jump across a microscopic gulf called a
synapse. Though the process is not completely understood,
researchers believe brain chemicals, notably serotonin,
dopamine, and norepinephrine, help those messages build that
synapse. When those chemicals are low or are not function
properly, some messages jump, but fall short of crossing the
synapse, meaning messages don't get transmitted, or at least,
don't get fully transmitted.
Ritalin
The most commonly
prescribed treatment for ADHD is medication. Ritalin, the brand
name for the stimulant methylphenidate, is the most often
prescribed. Ritalin is a stimulant that helps to enhance the
effect of the brain chemicals that help nerve and brain cells
receive messages from each other. Why exactly a stimulant like
Ritalin should calm someone down remains a mystery, because
common sense tells us it should make you more energetic. There
is clear evidence Ritalin can help ease the suffering of a child
with ADHD. The child can be more attentive and less aggressive.
The problem with Ritalin is not its ability to successfully help
the seventy percent of patients whom it can help, but the
misdiagnosis by many physicians on children that should not take
this powerful drug. Physicians are diagnosing children with ADD
often in less than half an hour. A proper ADHD/ADD diagnosis
process also requires a substantial diagnostic analysis,
something not possible in an hour. Since 1981, use of the
controlled drug has jumped 700% in the United States. Since
1990, Ritalin's usage has risen dramatically in the U.S. while
remaining constant in other countries. Other countries'
consumption of the drug is only about 15 percent of what it is
in this country. If your child is on Ritalin, or you are
considering Ritalin, consider these facts:
Ritalin is
becoming a popular drug to abuse. Its emergency room visits from
overdoses has more than doubled in recent years.
The studies
on Ritalin are 96% performed on boys, with very few studying
long-term effects of the drug therapy and ADHD.
Adderall and
Strattera are two new drugs to treat ADD. Adderall is a
time-released mixture of amphetamine salts for patients who do
not respond to Ritalin. It has also been found to have many of
the side effects and abuse potential of Ritalin. Strattera is a
non-stimulant medication that works as a norepinephrine reuptake
inhibitor. This approach is quite different than any other ADHD
treatment. It should not have many of the side effects of the
other treatments nor should it have much abuse potential. It was
approved in 2002 and the jury is still out on its safety and
efficacy.
Nutritional Supplements and ADHD
So, what are
some natural supplements to be considered? The following are
introductory descriptions of herbs, vitamins, minerals, and
dietary supplements that could aid sufferers of
ADHD.
2-Phenylethylamine HCL
This amazing compound has
always been the darling of the pharmacologist in that it is
structurally clean, it is naturally present in human fluids and
tissues, and because it does not cause nervousness or jitters,
although categorized as a stimulant. Phenylethylamine is found
in chocolate, and is responsible for its effects on mood,
appetite, and sense of well-being. Phenylethylamine is a
catecholamine precursor and intrinsically probably the cleanest
stimulant known to man. Until recent discoveries, PEA or
phenylethylamine was rapidly destroyed within the body. If
included with novel delivery systems, phenylethylamine HCL is
provided "safe transport" and this metabolic fate is avoided and
pharmacological activity becomes extremely apparent.
BRAIN
NUTRIENTS
Neurochemical imbalances in the brain are the focus
of many drugs being developed. Offering nutrient precursors of
neurotransmitters can increase production of signaling
compounds, thereby minimizing imbalances and dysfunction of the
message sending systems in the brain. The most important
nutrient- DMAE, or Dimethylaminoethanol, is a free radical chain
transfer agent used as a "smart drug". DMAE can be interpreted
to induce a psychophysiological state of well-being on both
levels of analysis- mood and electrical pattern of activity- in
subjects suffering from emotional disturbances. DMAE allows
people to remain alert and focused by decreasing Alpha 1 power
in the cortex of the brain. L-Tyrosine is also very vital as a
precursor for biosynthesis of neurotransmitters epinephrine,
norepinephrine, and dopamine. This is similar to the mode of the
new non-stimulant prescription drug Strattera.
VITAMINS AND
MINERALS
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies have been
implicated in mental performance. Several studies have shown the
importance of B-Vitamins (folic acid, B-6, and B-12) for
behavioral changes, and personality disorders. Scientists at
Baylor University Medical Center reported that B-12 and folic
acid deficiencies could alter neurotransmitter function and
contribute to neurological and psychiatric conditions. Vitamin
B-6, an important coenzyme for the biosynthesis of
neurotransmitters GABA, dopamine, and serotonin, is required for
optimal brain function.
HERBS
Many herbs have active
constituents that are very vital to someone suffering from ADHD.
An example is Gingko Biloba, which is often referred to as a
"brain food". Gingko is a powerful anti-oxidant, which helps
take out free radicals that cause deterioration of cells. Gingko
has been found to help alertness, attention, and memory.
Griffonia seed is a powerful herb that converts to serotonin in
the body. This is one of the nerve chemicals that jump the
spaces between the brain?s nerve cells. Lastly, and most
importantly in the herbal category, is Citrus Aurantium.
Research done by Pharmatech, Ltd. on the active substance,
synephrine, derived from Citrus Aurantium, has been exciting.
Scientists have observed how this natural stimulant more closely
mimics the structure of the brain's chemical transmitters than
do manufactured stimulants, such as Ritalin.
A PROMISING
FUTURE WITHOUT DRUGS
Many parents are looking for natural
remedies to replace the potentially dangerous drugs. The
compounds described above have shown to offer promise for
enhancing neurological function and improving behavior. These
natural compounds can address the symptoms associated with ADD.
A product recently introduced by Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
has been shown to be very promising in treating ADD in both
children and adults. Hi-Tech's product, Attention-Link is based
upon three years of research and development by a top research
firm in Belize, Pharmatech Limited. The success Pharmatech, Ltd.
had on the proprietary formula licensed to Hi-Tech is amazing.
Studies on Attention-Link have documented the impact on specific
brain neurotransmitters including acetylcholine, serotonin,
norepinephrine, and dopamine. These studies showed consistent
improvement in behavior, concentration, and attention, when
patients are supplemented with Attention-Link. Parents should
not feel alone since teachers, school administrators, as well as
public health officials, and even politicians are looking for
natural alternatives to this biological problem.
Serving
Size: 1 Tablet
Proprietary Blend with Extend-Rx Technology:
525 mg
Phenylethylamine HCL, Acacia Rigidula 70% extract
(leaves), DMAE Bitartrate, L-Tyrosine, Gamma Amino Butyric Acid,
L-Threonine, Inositol, Theobroma Cocoa Extract (seeds), Citrus
Aurantium Extract (seeds), Citrus Aurantium Extract (fruit),
Naringen (fruit), 6-7 Dihydroxybergamottin (fruit),
L-5-Hydroxytrytophan, Co-Enzyme B-12 (Dibencozide).
Other
Ingredients: Microrystalline Cellulose, Dextrose, LActose
Monohydrate, Sodium Starch Gluconate, Magensium Stearate,
Stearic Acid, Silica.
Directions: Take one (1) tablet twice
daily preferrably in the morning and again mid afternoon.
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