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Do you want to give your brain a lift? Become more attentive? Be able to focus better despite outside distractions and extra stress? Or, is your child bouncing off the walls or struggling to stay on task at school? Sounds like you could use a major brain boost and may benefit from learning more about ADD and ADHD. Treat poor brain function and hyperactivity with a multifaceted approach that includes removing gluten and adding nutritional supports such as vitamin D and omega-3s to the diet. You also need to make sure your zinc and magnesium levels are above par, rebalance your fat intake, and stop watching “SpongeBob SquarePants”!

It’s true, a new study in the journal Pediatrics found that 4-year-olds who watched “SpongeBob SquarePants” performed worse on tests of attention and problem-solving than two other groups that either spent the same amount of time drawing or watching a slower-paced educational program. The results were not specific to kids with ADHD or to the program “SpongeBob”. Rather, the children studied had normal attention and activity levels, and it is likely any fast-paced, fantastical media will be similarly distracting. Nonetheless, the study indicates the importance of choosing how you stimulate your brain if you want it to work optimally. And, if you or your child suffers from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or one of its variations, you’ll benefit from a comprehensive approach to get rid of symptoms.

I present a two part series on what ADHD and ADD are and how to most effectively treat them. Today, I’ll define these disorders and tomorrow, I’ll present my must-have strategies for  vitalizing your brain.

What is the Difference Between ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and ADHD?
The two vary in the symptoms that typically go with them, but diagnostically they are classified as one disorder with three subtypes in the Diagnostic manual:

1)ADHD, combined type;
2)ADHD, predominantly inattentive (what is commonly called ADD);
3) ADHD, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive.
For the sake of simplicity, I’ll refer to ADD to differentiate attention deficit without hyperactivity from ADHD for the combined type. In developing a diet, supplement, and behavior protocol it’s not necessary to differentiate beyond ADD and ADHD. Rather, it’s more useful to look at each person who suffers from ADD or ADHD as an individual who will do best with a diet and nutrition program that directly supports their unique brain. Also, because ADHD is now diagnostically one disorder, most recent research that studies diet and nutritional treatment are looking at ADHD as a general disorder and not the subtypes, meaning that in this article the different interventions and therapies can apply to all three subtypes, unless otherwise noted.

Where Do ADD and ADHD Come From? Are they Due to Brain Injuries?
ADD and ADHD appear to be partly hereditary and are not due to brain injuries. There is evidence that environmental factors may contribute, particularly fetal exposure to alcohol, cocaine, and smoke. Really, ADD and ADHD are all about problems with neurotransmitters in the brain. The neurotransmitters are chemical messages that allow the brain to talk to itself chemically and electrically. A chemical imbalance leads to a neurotransmitter failure. Nutritional deficiencies such as low omega-3s, inadequate magnesium, vitamin D, zinc, and high copper levels may contribute.

What are the Symptoms of ADD and ADHD?
ADD without hyperactivity is caused by problems in the parietal lobe of the brain, which processes sensory information. The frontal lobe (the area that integrates information other than sensory) are intact. The main symptoms include fear and anxiety, which are unique indicators from ADHD, and slow cognitive thinking. ADD suffers also have low brain energy, tend to daydream or procrastinate, and have poor memory recall. People with ADD often compensate by relying on logic because the frontal brain processes are intact. Restlessness is more common than hyperactivity and is due to anxiety and tendency to be distracted.

People with ADD don’t tend to lie, and generally want to please. In a classroom, children with ADD do not usually get in trouble, rather they stay in their seat, don’t talk and tend to be shy. In comparison, people with ADHD are always moving and often get in trouble at school from moving and talking too much.

People with ADHD tend to have low brain activity in the frontal lobe due to a deficiency of the catecholamine neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, which are involved with arousal and alertness. Studies have shown decreased blood flow to the prefrontal cortex in people with ADHD.  Also, low serotonin is linked to impulsive and problematic behavior, leading to problems with attention and hyperactivity. ADHD suffers don’t have anxiety or fear but tend to be egocentric and often lie. They tend to be socially unconnected with others, partly due to inappropriate behavior because of inability to process information and distractibility.

What About Drug Therapy, I’ve Heard That is Effective at Treating ADHD?
Research shows it is, but there are side effects that go with drug therapy. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine have resulted in sudden unexplained death, growth problems, and other psychiatric disorders. Other drug options have caused low heart rate. Of course, every sufferer needs to make their own decision based on symptoms, but nutrition and diet shouldn’t be ignored.

References
Learning Disability Pride web site.
Lillard, A., Peterson, J. The Immediate Impact of Different Types of Television on Young Children’s Executive Function. Pediatrics. September 2011. Published Ahead of Print.

Dopheide, J., Pliszka, S. Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder: An Update. Pharmacotherapy. June 2009. 29(6), 656-679.