Natural Alts and Concentration?

[AnneM]

I always keep an eye on references to the Feingold Diet and other natural alternatives (to keep an eye on alternatives to meds) ... but I generally seem to always see the alternatives in relation to reducing hyperactivity and controlling behaviour. As yet I haven't seen any reference to a Natural Alternative that improves "focus" and "attention" ... I may well have missed something and if I have please, please point me in the right direction.

My son is ADD and is NOT hyperactive. Behaviour has never really been a big issue either .... His main overwhelming problem is lack of attention and being totally unable (except with the help of meds to date) to "tune in and concentrate" ...

I have never been able to tell any difference at all with him whether he has just eaten something with colouring etc. etc. or hasn't ... I know some parents say they really can tell a difference if their kids have just eaten something they shouldn't (and I believe them!) but with my son there has never been a difference in this respect...

Is there a natural alternative (diet, supplements etc.etc.) that helps with the focussing and concentration side of adhd/add?

[catatonic]

I'd have to say that addressing attention and focus problems is the toughest area of ADHD treatment. We are still struggling to adequately address these areas. My son's acting-out type behaviors are well controlled using the Feingold diet, the elimination of refined corn products (particularly corn syrup in all its many disguises) and addition of supplements. But he still struggles with attentiveness. It's a real problem. The best things I've found for this are Omega-3 essential fatty acids (in the form of fish oil) and increased mineral intake, particularly magnesium and zinc. The amino acid tyrosine (which stimulates increased production of the neurotransmitter dopamine) has also been helpful. But it's not an easy battle and he still spends a lot of time on some planet other than Earth!

[AnneM]

Thanks Cat .... Its interesting you make the comment about spending a lot of time on another planet other than earth ...

In Year 1 .... many years ago now ... I remember attending a parent evening and his then teacher said ... "AH .. Sam ...Ah yes.... Now Sam is on a different planet than the rest of us isn't he?" .... At the time I didn't realise the "significance" of what she said to me ... but I sure did in later years!!

I am taking good note of what you mention here ... the Omega 3 (fatty fish oils) and magnesium and zinc .... I have all those ... but because I am never sure what is beneficial for HIM I am never sure which to give him! .. THANKYOU - that is really helpful.

[rosyred45]

Hi Anne, I don't see as much a control of attnetion, like Catatonic, but for us Feingold has REALLY helped with the hyperactivity, aggression, and just out and out being Mikey.

I can tell what he ate how long ago approxamately how long ago, just by watching him.

If he has eaten fruit that he shouldn't have, he is irritable, argumentative, very nasty attitude. If he has had an artifical color, flavor or preservative, that is when he is in his own little world. Very impulsive to say the least. He also gets very whiney and teary.

Ithink that when he is doing great with the help of feingold, and if I was to present something that is "boring in his eye" in an interesting way, it is more bearable to keep his attention.

[weskie]

My DS 21 has been having horrible problems concentrating in college. He had a bad reaction to Adderall in early Septermber, and now can't take any stims. He had taken Omega 3 supplements and grape seed extract for years, but had sort of lost track of them during the last six months. Just a few days ago I overnighted him a package with Natural Factors Learning Factors, Pycnogenol 100 mg, DMG, and magnesium. He had a crucial economics exam today and was very worried about passing it. He called me this morning, right after the exam, and was all excited and happy as he told me he had done really well on it!!! He said he could focus much, much better, and feels certain that the supplements made the difference!!! This is a kid who has had trouble all this semester and was possibly facing a medical leave because he couldn't do his work!!! And economics is definitely not "his thing". I hope this sounds encouraging to you! DS had ADHD when he was younger--now it's just ADD (at least they can grow out of the "H" part of it!!!) Good luck!

[Renee]

Anne, I agree with catatonic that Omega 3s can be very helpful for concentration/foucs issues. Derk told me that when he started on them they worked better than any of the stims he had been on (and he had tried several). There is a great book on the how/why of Omega 3s called "The Omega 3 Connection?. The author works at MacLean Hospital, primarily with bipolar patients. But he started doing his own studies using omega 3s and noted improvement with many categories of "brain disorders" including ADHD.

Also - and this may sound weird - but many food and chemical sensitivities cause "brain fog". Once you eliminate the offenders, you can eventually allow the brain to function better. So the Feingold, or any diet that eliminates the allergens, would be very helpful. The problem some people have with the Feingold diet is it does not target the things that are allergens for them, so they think changing the diet doesn't help.

We are presently working with a naturopath/nutritionist to eliminate candida yeast overgrowth. In her 25+ years of treating people, she has seen a direct correlation with that and concentration issues, even chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and an assortment of other health issues. If you want more info on this, email me directly as explaining candida takes a book.

[Linda]

Renee Off topic here...but I am so glad you are with us again...without your help "On the old site" I would probably be a basket case by now

[Renee]

Thanks for the welcome - it's great to be here! Hopefully, some of my hard-learned lessons will be of use to others.

Now, I'm not sure you would have been a basket case- I think you definately have great ideas and advice to share and have both feet firmly on the ground - but I am always glad to find out that someone has benefited from me in some way. At home, my family seems to feel my biggest contribution is the evening meal - which is never ready fast enough!

[Linda]

I hear that ::)Good ole mom ;D ;D

[AnneM]

Renee !! I have to join Linda and say .... IT IS SOOOO good to see you here!!

... and thank you (and thank you everyone) because the information on this thread is soooo helpful ...

Its strange isn't it ? You feel that you have figured a few things out and certainly soooo many things have been improved over the years .... but there are STILL things which make you go

[HooDunnit]

Nice to have Renee back to help us with our baskets! LOL