ADHD and Diet

What does ADHD have to do with diet? According to recent studies, the two may be more connected than we previously thought. In fact, there are more and more studies emerging that reveal the connection between the food we eat and symptoms of ADHD. At Whole Child Wellness, we know from experience that food plays a role in the disorder and that we must closely examine a child’s diet for a whole-person approach to reducing symptoms.
After a recent study published by the Lancet headed by Dr. Lidy Pelsser of the ADHD Research Centre of the Netherlands, Dr. Pelsser boldly stated to NPR, “Food is the main cause of ADHD.” The study found that in 64% of participating children, ADHD symptoms could be contributed to a hypersensitivity to food. This assertion underscores the importance of the Whole Child Wellness Program’s diet and nutrition component. We know that food hypersensitivity can be one result of a hemispheric imbalance in brain activity, but we also consider food preservatives, dyes, and artificial ingredients potential contributors.
Another article published in the journal Pediatrics examined the effectiveness of several dietary methods used in place of traditional ADHD treatments that had proved “unsatisfactory or unacceptable”. Study results suggest that a whole foods diet rich in fiber, folate, and omega 3 fatty acids is most effective in decreasing hyperactivity.
Omega 3s are crucial for proper cognitive development, fighting inflammation, protecting the heart, insulating the body from the cold, and maintaining a healthy metabolism and weight. Fiber is crucial for maintaining proper digestive health, and folate has been long touted for its effectiveness in enhancing cognitive development and performance. Find below foods high in these important nutrients, and consider adding them to your family’s diet!

Foods High In Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Fish like tuna, mackerel, and salmon
Certain oils like coconut, flaxseed, sesame, and olive
Organic, grass-fed beef
Vegetables like broccoli and spinach
Avocado
Walnuts
Chia, sesame, and flax seeds
Foods High In Fiber
Whole grains
Beans
Fruit
Vegetables
Foods High In Folate
Sprouts
Asparagus
Beans
Soybeans
Dried herbs
Sunflower seeds
Dark green, leafy vegetables like kale, collards, broccoli, and spinach
Yeast extract

To learn more about the connection between diet and ADHD, we invite you to contact us at staff.drflemming@embarqmail.com .

Are you overwhelmed by the natural treatment options for ADHD?

Are you unsure which treatment will work for your child?

You are invited to attend a FREE informational lecture with Dr. Lois Flemming that will show you how to start---

"Healing the ADHD Brain"

 

Thursday, October 24th, starting at 6pm

at the Hope Family Resource Center

2820 Neuse Blvd

 (near the Craven Co Department of Social Services)

Brought to you by Dr. Lois Flemming, ADHD Wellness Expert and Director of Whole Child Wellness

Start your child on the path to wellness.....Whole Child Wellness!

When a scent is more than just a smell.

The very second you read these words, your brain is monitoring the light, heat, cold, sounds, smells, touch, and pressure all around you.  As sensory experience floods our system, it allows our brain to create meaning from our experiences.  Sensory specific stimulation can be a useful tool to stimulate the side of the brain you want to engage.   Floral scents will stimulate the left brain, spicy for right brain. 

 

 

In olfactory stimulation we use various scents or essential oils to stimulate your childs brain.  Olfactation is what is call an ipsilateral circuit.  It does not cross the midline like all other sensory information does.  Olfactory stimulation is done on the same side of the weak hemisphere, whereas all other stimulations are done on the opposite side of the weak hemisphere. 

A simple finger prick....

The IgG Food Allergy test measures the presence of IgG antibodies to specific food proteins.  If excessive intestinal permeability (leaky gut) is present, small amounts of food proteins enter the bloodstream.  The immune system builds an antibody to those foreign proteins, predominately as IgG.  IgG antibodies do not produce the immediate histamine response we associate with IgE antibodies--a runny nose or hives, for example. Therefore IgG reactions are often termed "food sensitivities" or "food intolerance."  IgG reactions tend to be more subtle-headaches, muscle aches or cognitive dysfunction.
A food elimination diet can be established based on results of this test and improvement of symptoms can be monitored. 

How Do You Lift Your Child's Spirits When the World Has Dragged Them Down?

Taken from www.ADDitudemag.com , a great source of information for parents of children with ADHD. 

> Remind him that we all know how great he is, and one day the world will know that, as well. -An ADDitude Reader
> I explain to her that even though things are hard sometimes, we are all stronger than we think we are. I show her things that only people with our "special brains" can do. I remind her that she is not alone, that her family is there. I do this while we cuddle on the couch. -Amanda, Georgia
> I remind him of what he has accomplished so far — and I just hug him. -A.W., Indiana
> I ask him what is making him feel bad. When I've listened for a bit, and he seems ready, I talk about something he is interested in. Then I give him "sideways" compliments, noting, as we talk, how good he is at noticing details, remembering interesting information, or anything that I can tie to the conversation. -Bonnie, California
> We joke a lot and don't take the world so seriously. If I can make him smile or laugh at something, that usually does the trick. Sometimes I do a silly dance or make a funny face. Later, when he is calmer, we discuss his problems. -Brooke, New Jersey
> I tell him that God doesn't make junk. Everyone is made the way they are for a reason. He needs to figure out what his purpose is. I remind him that no one is perfect, and admit some of my shortcomings to him. -Cathy, Ohio
> I hold him and tell him that I am thankful that God gave him to me, and that I wouldn't change a thing about him. Then we go out for ice cream and a movie. -C.C., Nicaragua
> I sit close, but not touching or looking at her, repeating the names of everyone who loves her. Eventually, I throw in a few things like "your cat gives you fluffy love." This makes her smile. -Carolyn, North Carolina
> Acknowledge anything, big or small, that your kid does well. -Tereza, New York
> I celebrate the way her brain works, pointing out how hard she works to finish her homework, how creative she is, and the entertaining solutions she comes up with. She's proud of her differences, and this builds her up before the world can make her feel bad. -Heather, Alaska
> I do something active with him. We go down to the beach to swim (he loves it) or take a long bike ride. -Sherran, New Zealand

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Chiropractic and ADHD

Chiropractic adjustments play an important role in helping balance the brain, because when the spine is adjusted, it sends information that travels to various parts that have been shown to be involved in ADHD such as the cerebellum and right hemisphere.  When complemented with exercises and activities that specifically target the weak or delayed hemisphere, the results can be phenomenal.
For example, in one study done by a chiropractic neurologist in New York, it was shown that, with the proper natural approach, 80% of ADHD children where so improved that they no longer met diagnostic criteria.  And that happened in just 12 weeks!
That doesn't mean that chiropractic will cure ADHD, but it will go a long way in helping the child behave better and function at their best.
Contact us today at drflemming@embarqmail to get your questions answered and find out how the Whole Child Wellness brain balancing program can help.

Two parallel computers.

Our brain has two hemispheres, which are like two computers set in parallel.  If you have two "Pentium 5", you get double power.  But, if you've got a new "Pentium 5" on one side and an old "Commodore 64" on the other, you've got problems.  The old computer is not fast enough to keep up with the new one.  The system bugs.  That's what is happening in the ADHD brain.  The delayed hemisphere is weaker, which leads to communication problems within the brain resulting in symptoms of inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity.

ADHD Breakthrough.

An excerpt from the ENC Wellness Guide, by Dr. Lois Flemming

Picture two children playing with walkie-talkies.  The handsets, unfortunately are set on different frequencies.  The children yell and scream into the device, but their words are not coming through the speaker.  Now picture the children with the frequency fixed but they have not yet mastered mashing the button when talking.  Some words come through while others are lost.  The children can hear each other but not decipher what's being said.  Current research shows similar patterns happen in the brains of those with neurobehavioral disorders.  Different areas of the brain, specifically the two hemispheres, are unable to effective communicate with each other because of the delays in development.  Think of one hemisphere being the age of three while the other is thirteen.  The communication and activities of such brain will be spotty, disrupted, confused resulting in an inability to concentrate, feelings of frustration, poor body awareness and lack of control.
The great news is that these developmental delays are not permanent--they can be fixed!!

For more information on healing the brain, please go to www.adhdwholechildwellness.net .

Parents of children who have completed three months of treatment describe the progress made as observed by themselves, and people around the child.

Name:  M.B.        Diagnosis:  Developmental Delay with Hyperactivity

M. has marked improvement in her coordination.  Eating times are now a true joy: she is calmer and no longer drops her cutlery.  She falls a lot less.  She has better control of her body and movements.  When she runs, she almost never falls anymore.

Name:  M.P.        Diagnosis:   ADHD and anxiety

Currently, M. is calmer, more composed and able to find resources to manage his anxiety and stress.  He has a better understanding of time, what he’s doing and what he still needs to do.  His teacher says that there is a marked reduction in his impulsivity and that his memory has greatly improved.  He is still a bit slow when he needs to get started.  But once he has, he now finishes what he starts.

Name:  F.B.         Diagnosis:  ADHD with oppositional and conduct disorder

We are very happy with our experience because the treatment has allowed us to markedly decrease his dose of Ritalin.    He still has some temper tantrums but this is also markedly improved.  He used to have 3 or 4 per day, now he has 4-5 per week.  They usually still happen at the end of the day when he is extremely tired.  He is more polite and since about 2 months into the program has not gotten into any fights in school.

Tips and Tricks for Surviving Halloween

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!


For helpful tips and tricks on how to handle Halloween, bucket loads of candy and your child who can’t have them due to a special diet for autism, adhd or other food allergies visit out blog at www.adhdwholechildwellness.net

A "Chemical Straightjacket"

Attention Disorder or Not, Pills to Help in School.
Click here to read this recent New York Times article.

Great news from a grandmother...

The grandmother of a Whole Child Wellness patient pulled us aside during a recent visit, visibly excited and wanting to share the progress she has seen in her grandson.  One of her greatest heartbreaks, she stated, was knowing he would always spend his lunch break at school alone, playing by himself during recess. With great excitement she announced that this year, he spends his recess playing with schoolmates.

Poor socialization skills, inability to recognize body language or visual cues, and inappropriate responses are all common symptoms of neurobehavioral disorders.  Balancing hemisphericity to improve communication between the right and left hemisphere of the brain, Whole Child Wellness graduates are better able to process information and respond appropriately.  Improved socialization skills are just one of the great side effects of the brain balancing programs.

For more information, tips and testimonials, log on to www.adhdwholechildwellness.net .

12 Weeks to Permanent Correction

Many parents and medical professionals don't understand that ADHD can be corrected.  With 12 weeks of intensive effort, permanent changes can be made within the brain to correct (yes correct) the neurological dysfunctions causing the symptoms of ADHD.

What is so remarkable is that this change, created in this short period of time, can effect the outcome of the rest of their lives.
*The social stigma attached to kids with ADHD in school has a profound affect on self-esteem and self confidence.
*The statistics on drug use and jail time among young adults who have ADHD are startling.   
*Adults with ADHD continually struggle with job performance and personal relationships.

We challenge parents and medical professionals to make brain balancing the treatment of choice for ADHD.   Corrections in the brain can be made.  Future struggles can be avoided.  You have the opportunity to give our children a brighter future!

Witness a true master at work!

Dr. Ted Carrick, the founder of chiropractic neurology, was recently featured on ABC Nightline News.  To watch this six minute video, click here, then scroll down to "Chiropractic Neurology: Miracle Method or Placebo?-Watch Video" on lower left.

Recent Testimonial by a Parent

C had great difficulty focusing and became out of control with frustration.  Our child's teacher recommended the program after hearing of another child that it helped.  After finding he had food sensitivities and removing the offending foods, he is more pleasant and able to control himself.  He is also more reasonable when he does not get his way.  I have been most impressed by Dr. Flemming's willingness to explain what they what they were doing and why and how I could do parts of the program with him at home.  I have always felt free to ask questions and have received thorough answers.
GM

Small steps can equal great success!

The importance of nutritional supplementation and tissue detoxification for kids with neurobehavioral issues became very obvious to us this week with one of our students.  Three days after starting the supplements and taking them as prescribed, significant improvement was noticed in focus, attention, behavior and coordination.  We know in the long term, even greater improvements will be made through the hemispheric balancing portion of the program.
For more information on the importance of supplements, please long on to www.naturalhelpforadhd.blogspot.com .

An adult success story...

An adult recently completed the in house portion of the Whole Child Wellness program.  When she began treatment, her life was just a mess.  Stress really exaggerated the symptoms of her ADHD and made it impossible for her carry through with her plans and get her life in order.   She was unemployed and wanted to go back to school, but was unable to focus and think clearly, and felt she would not be able to concentrate enough to be a success at anything. 
After completing just a few weeks of the program, was saw her smile and seem happy for the first time.  After one month, she applied for a job and was accepted for a job training program. Today, she completed her job training, is working full time and seems to have her life under control.  Stress is still a big factor in her life, but she is able to handle it so much better.   

A teacher speaks!

We recently received a letter from the elementary school teacher of one of our Whole Child Wellness participants.  She wanted us to know some of the changes she has seen in him since starting the program.
She writes:  He is more vocal with other people.  He repeats movie and TV lines and even acts like the characters.  His sensory behaviors (noises, jumping) have not been so present.  He interacts with his peers more.  He makes eye contact with adults.  He has become very observant and lets the teachers know if someone is doing something they shouldn't do. 
We know that we are making a huge difference in the rest of this child's life.  Our experience tells us that this is only the beginning of opening the world to him.  He still has a long way to go and many doors to open, and we have provided him with the key!

Excellent Program on Nutrition and ADHD

There is remarkable evidence that certain foods can create neurotoxins in a child's brain that can make it impossible for them to think and behave.
We invite you to join us on Thursday, May 10th at 6pm at "The Meeting Place" in James City to learn what foods children with neurobehavioral disorders should avoid and why.
For more information please call 252-638-2215.  No reservation necessary.