Can ADD be cured without drugs...Part II

After about a week of research (thanks Google....you are a great seach engine) I have found a TON of information regarding alternatives to medication for ADD/ADHD. Do they work? I have yet to find out. I know from all that I have I won't be able to cover it all in this blog (so bear with me.) I want to step back for a moment because I found a really disturbing post in the "Stratterra Forum" of the 3stepsADD.com site. It was from a woman named Sabrina. Here is her letter (edited for space.)

I have a 7yr old boy. He used to be helpful, loving and loved to learn. He was always more hyper than the other kids, but never violent. He had trouble focusing and needed a lot of redirecting.

I feel that the school ganged up and forced him to take all sorts of IQ, and other tests. He was labeled as ADD, ADHD and PDD NOS. He is on Stratterra now. It doesn't seem to help him. He is experiencing nightmares and says he hates going to school and all his teachers. He is having new anxieties. The teachers won't allow him to be full time in 1st grade. They say he can't handle it.

I really do not think there is a drug out there {that will help him}. He feels everything he does in school is never right and he is always in time out. The drugs are not working. Maybe it is the school?

First off Sabrina, why did you allow the school to test him? It's YOUR child! This is why I am a huge proponent of testing by TRAINED PROFESSIONALS who DEAL WITH ADD/ADHD. If Statterra isn't working (and it didn't work for me) seek other medication. Talk to a doctor about ADD coaching for you son. He sounds like he needs it. The school is obviously NOT supportive and you need to find a special school for him or a counselor for him to see. Maybe a different drug or a different diet would help him? Don't just give up!

I also noticed from reading the letter (and editing it) that I believe that Sabrina may have ADD herself. She seemed to run from one subject to another. Maybe mom and son need to see someone so that she is able to deal with her son in a logical way. I feel bad for both of them. Someone needs to educate BOTH of them.

Ok...I will get off my soapbox now. I did request some information from the 3StepsADD site (in the form of an ebook....hoping that it would explain HOW to live with ADD and not rely on meds.) The ebook did arrive the next day, but it was more claims about how I could be MED FREE. It claimed it would explain the "new techinque" in FULL DETAIL if I would just pay $19.95 for their book! Can you say bait and switch? I got subsequent emails from them, all with the same claims and all asking me to buy the book....I have unsubscribed from their mailings. You be the judge of this site...I for one an skeptical.

(FYI: Still no reply from Dr. Graham regarding his mention on the above site....I do hope he will reply, but I am getting doubtful.) I also found a VERY interesting article from a forum section in www.thomhartmann.org from a Teresa Gieschen:

The web site is www.3stepsadd.com I found it somehow through this site - through some of the vitamin links. Don't bother buying it though - it is like everything else...opinions but no firm hard data. You just buy his special formula and life is good. I admit - I bought them and not only didn't I notice a difference in my son but the dosage was impractical - 3X/day before meals, melts in your mouth.

And in a later post she writes:

I also took everyone's advice here and ordered lots of the vitamins and started my son on the omega-3's, a hefty dose of B-complex and a strong multi (still trying to find these in liquid but haven't given up) anyway the results are that my son even is noticing that he can focus better.

So with that endorsement... let's begin our investigation into IF ADD/ADHD can be cured without drugs by looking first at Fish Oil. I found out (from the help of www.mind1st.co.uk) that Fish oil can regulate cholestrol in the body because it contains Omega3 fatty acids (these acids are in fish that we normally eat.) Omega3 fatty acids are also an anti-inflammatory. So what does this have to do with ADD/ADHD? A study was done where prisoners were fed seafood that contained Omega3 fatty acids which resulted in a drop in inmate homicides. In Finland, prisoners of violent crimes had lower levels of Omega3 fatty acids. As Arsenio Hall used to say, "Things that make you go hmmmmm." Could it be that the violent reactions from some ADD'rs could be a lack of Omega3 fatty acids? I need to do more investigation on this.

There are also EPA acids or "eicosapentainoic acids" in fish oil. EPA are the "good fats" extracted from Omega3 fatty acids and are found in: sardines, salmon and mackerel. It is believed that these acids or fats improve eye and brain functions (so your grandmother was right....fish IS brain food!)

Reason for adding fish oil to your life:
- You will feel & look great...Have thick healthy hair (WOW...I need this NOW!) Healthy skin, a stronger immune system, more energy, a positive life outlook AND a VASTLY improved MEMORY (we add'r love hearing this!)

As a result of extensive clinical trials, EPA has been found to be beneficial for: Lower cholesterol, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) Low moods (depression) Heart health, Huntington's Disease (degeneration of brain cells which causes uncontrolled movements, loss of intellectual faculties, and emotional disturbance) concentration, ADHD and ADD.

So why are doctors not telling patients of these diseases about these products that COULD help lessen their symptoms? Why is the public not more aware of this? Where is the news media? If these items do help, even a little bit, shouldn't someone be out there as a voice to educate those who don't know? Maybe God is tasking me with this...could be.

I am going to continue this topic, in part III, and cover pills, natural remedies and antioxidants. So stay with me...we will get this covered once and for all.

Have a wonderful weekend all!

Blessings,

D