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THE WALDORF CHRONICLE December 2001 Dear Practice Members, I found this article very interesting and thought I should pass it on to the rest of you. We here at Waldorf Chiropractic Center have had a great success rate in helping ADD/ADHD kids live a happier, healthier life. While we DO NOT treat ADD/ADHD, we do treat the child that is suffering with nerve interference that may be the source of the problem. The only way to find out if nerve interference is a problem in your child is to come in for a chiropractic exam. In the Waldorf Chronicle, the Doctor will show you, through popular press articles, that ritalin is not an answer, but just a bigger problem.
For more than 40 years, it was not known how the popular drug Ritalin— prescribed to millions of children with attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder — really worked. But now scientists have found that Ritalin acts just like cocaine by chemically manipulating the brain's dopamine system to reduce distraction and increase attention signaling. Ritalin was one of the first in what
would become a group of drugs Like cocaine, Ritalin is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration. It is among the most addictive and abused drugs that are still legal. As such, pharmaceutical companies have abided by a 30-year-old international treaty agreeing not to advertise the drug to parents and teachers. But starting last September, just in time for the school year, makers of these drugs broke that agreement and began running ads in popular magazines and on television. At the same time, Connecticut Gov. John Roland signed a new law preventing school officials from recommending psychotropic drugs for kids, saying that such matters should be left to families and their doctors, many of whom are turning to alternative approaches that may be just as effective. Ritalin's side effects include decreased appetite which can adversely affect the child's nutritional state, as well as retarded growth, insomnia, increased irritability and rebound hyperactivity when the drug wears off. In addition, Ritalin does not address the cause of the problem and merely offers symptomatic effects. Psychotropic drugs have a reported effectiveness rate of about 75 percent. However natural remedies that include the use of dietary supplements and diet modification are also popular methods for treating these children — and interestingly, their success rate reported in scientific studies is also about 75 percent. Omega-3 fatty acids are considered essential since the human body cannot make them and they therefore must be obtained from the diet. These fats are key components in the brain, and are central to neurological function and visual acuity. Studies show low omega-3 levels correlate with poor behavior scores and teacher scores of academic abilities. Children diagnosed with ADHD have been found to have low levels of omega-3 fats in their cells. This is not only due to lack of omega-3 fats in the diet, but may also be the result of trans fats in the diet which could displace omega-3 fats in cells. Trans fats come from hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils found in many food products, especially junk food. In additional, excess intake of omega-6 fats from common vegetable oils can also result in low omega-3 levels in the body. Olive oil is best for regular use. Foods high in omega-3 fats include fish, flaxseed oil, leafy vegetables, walnuts and few others. Herein lies one of the reasons for this key nutritional problem — children generally don't eat these foods, so taking an omega-3 dietary supplement is essential. It is important to note that ADHD and similar behavioral problems often have other contributing factors, including psychological dynamics and social stress. Other signs exhibited by children with ADHD include thirst, skin problems (dry scaly skin and scalp, dry hair), asthma and allergies to a variety of foods and food ingredients. Removing offending foods often brings good results quickly, typically within a few days. Common offending foods include additives such as artificial colors and preservatives found in many foods, liquid beverages, dietary supplements and medications, and toothpaste. Read the labels for information. Dairy, including milk and cheese, are also common offenders, as well as oranges, and wheat. Observing children for distinct deterioration in behavior after eating certain foods can help determine other offending foods.
Ritalin research falsified
Newborn health
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