| It seems that the treatment of Attention Deficit | | | | get on a regular basis? How often do you engage in |
| Disorder is largely focused on a pharmaceutical | | | | healthy walks? |
| approach. Over the years the standards of | | | | 4.) How much time do you and your family spend in |
| assessment and treatment in health practice have | | | | front of the TV? How about the time you and your |
| shifted from a comprehensive one, to one of almost | | | | kids spend in front of video games or even the |
| exclusive focus on medication. While a percentage of | | | | computer? |
| our children are, indeed, helped by medication, with | | | | Balance is key. We live in a highly distractible |
| ability to stay focused and complete assignments, it | | | | environment, where stimulation surrounds us at all |
| seemed that an overreliance on medications exists, | | | | times. We have painfully little time to sit quietly, reflect, |
| with almost complete absence of education on the | | | | dream, imagine at an level. That goes for kids as well |
| principles of healthy lifestyle. | | | | as adults. The lack of this quiet time, actually promotes |
| Thousands of children with ADD eat foods high in | | | | distractibiity in children. They are programmed to |
| saturated fats, carbohydrates and sweets. And while | | | | always be fed with some stimulation. Their inner selves |
| many families work incredibly hard to provide healthy | | | | are lacking the enrichment and nourishment that they |
| food choices, children seem to get exposed to some | | | | need. |
| very unhealthy, albeit, attractively marketed food | | | | Along with innovative teaching materials, innovation in |
| choices outside the home. | | | | diets and supplements offer new hope for children |
| So how can we adequately assess for attentional | | | | with Attention Deficit Disorder. Research exists that |
| difficulties in children without assessing the nature and | | | | supplements with essential fatty acids and antioxidants |
| quality of their food intake? | | | | helps improve focus and concentration in children with |
| The other area that has completely escaped our | | | | ADD. |
| attention in health care is exposure to environmental | | | | A key question about antioxidant benefits exist in ADD. |
| toxins. We used to think of environmental toxins as | | | | Are the benefits due to a direct improvement of |
| polluted air near smoke stacks, oil refineries or | | | | attention through a brain mediated response? Or does |
| automobile repair shops. In reality, environmental toxins | | | | the process of detoxification of toxins and nourishment |
| are everywhere. They are in our carpets, in the | | | | of brain cells improve attention span in and of itself? |
| plastics that we drink from, in the paint fumes | | | | These answers will only come from more research. |
| emanating from our walls. And all these toxins, like the | | | | We need more research and we need it now. Are our |
| unhealthy foods we eat, can contribute to the lack of | | | | children currently being treated for an innate brain |
| focus and concentration in our children. | | | | condition or from sensitivity to an environment that |
| While this makes common sense, it takes alot of effort | | | | abounds in distractions? |
| to stay healthy in any unhealthy environment. | | | | Whatever the answers are, let's start with the basics. |
| Where does a busy family begin? | | | | Let's get focused on health and healthy lifestyle. Let's |
| 1.) Keep an open mind, read, learn and absorb. Once | | | | provide good supplements to help our children clean |
| you embark on this journey, you will continue to learn, | | | | their systems. And let's dialogue. Let's share healthy |
| there is no going back. | | | | tips with each other. If supplements work, let's hear |
| 2.) Watch where your dollars are going at the grocery | | | | about them. Let's exchange recipes. Let's share new |
| store. Are your purchasing fruits and vegetables that | | | | innovative ideas. . Together we can get healthy and |
| are full of preservatives, high in fat and | | | | stay healthy. This includes for our children with ADD. |
| carbohydrates? What is the nature of the snacks you | | | | Many of these youngsters are among the brightest, |
| are purchasing? Are they healthy or full of sugars? | | | | most gifted kids that I know. Let's stimulate their |
| Juices are high in unnecessary sugars. What type of | | | | imaginations. Let's get them dreaming again. Let's give |
| grains are you buying? How about processed, | | | | them hope for a healthier world ahead that they can |
| packaged carbohydrates ? | | | | be part of creating. Let's get focused. |
| 3.) How much exercise do you and your kids actually | | | | |