Understanding Nutrition

[Everu]

Confused? Overwhelmed? Who wouldn't be.
Then I remembered the books by Adelle Davis on nutrition which I devoured in the 70's and lent to everyone. Recently I dusted off the ones I got back, and WOW...it's all there. I looked her up in Amazon to see if she was still revered - and well she is, and for good reason. (All the books are available new or 2nd-hand) The reader reviews in Amazon say it better than I can, but this is why I recommend them.
Clearly and well written for the average ignoramus, they give the whole picture, describing the role of each nutrient, and how they all depend on each other for balance and health.
They were written before ADD, and all the other names for emotional, behavioral or educational aberrations from the norm were invented, but let me quote some of the index (of "Let's Eat Right to Keep Fit"):
Allergies, Asthma, Attractiveness, Blackheads, Brain function, Cheerfulness, Cravings, Delinquency, Depression, Emotions, Excitability, Exhaustion, Forgetfulness........Stress....(need I go on?) Nice plain words that describe stuff we all know.
She also gives lots of clues as to where some nutrient may be lacking or improprerly absorbed, and why, and how to get it back. Regards clues - again from the index:
Wrinkles, Worry, Twitching, Tongue, Tics, Skin, and so on.
Some of her help I've never forgotten, and my kids grew up with brewer's yeast and wheat germ as cheap high protein, mineral and vitamin (esp B) supplements.
Anyway, I had a feeling that my teen's deteriorations may have something to do with her independent teen eating habits, which is why I went back to Adelle Davis.
So much of what I've read about in the forums she wrote about in general - but it's in context, you get the big picture. Browsing through, it's a fascinating story. And comforting.
So we're concentrating on high protein breakfasts, fish oil, and of course back to the brewer's yeast and wheat germ. This past month our teen often forgets to take the ritalin, and claims there isn't a big difference. (Have to talk to the teacher about that!)
Anyway, do look her up, Adelle, dear lady.
And thanks to you all, forum-ers, for your wonderful research and ideas, you're a great comfort too.

[dfp]

Sounds very appealing. Thanks for the heads-up.

Now that you have my attention though... just how DO you get your child to eat brewer's yeast & wheat germ? My sons get a fair bit of wheat germ since it's easy to sneak into baked goods (nobody else in my family seems to agree with me how good it is on ice cream-- their loss!). But brewer's yeast? I feel like I'm getting away with something getting them to drink their Omega 3s down in lemonade. One day they'll catch on and that will be it for me!

Any practical suggestions? Thanks!

dfp

[Everu]

Everyone's surprised that I can get my teens to eat brewer's yeast. But since they were small they know it, and saw for themselves the literally overnight results on cold sores, dandruff, fungal itches....
There's the concentrated powder or the gentler-tasting flakes. I use the powder and mix a good spoonful with enough plain yoghurt to make a thick porridgy mess. At that point my husband storms out holding his nose, but the girls have no problem. So I never tried disguising it or using any of Ms Davis's suggested recipes - except her "pep-up", great stuff, when they were younger. I probably needed it more than them.
Ms D mentions torula yeast as being more palatable - I never tried it, but may be worth asking for. Or tablets (she says 90 (!) tablets = one tablespoon of brewer's yeast).
The high protein breakfast is a pancake made with 2 eggs, 2 tbsps wheatgerm and a handful chopped parsley, eaten on the way to school. The yeast is before bed, maybe with a banana.
And if the kids don't eat it, try it yourself. We need to keep up our health and energy . Healthy mother, healthy family?
.......let's not forget to look after ourselves.

[catatonic]

Many of the natural treatment gurus of ADHD advise testing and/or treating our children for yeast overgrowth. Granted, the candida yeast they are talking about is not the same as brewer's yeast. But I would have the following concerns about using brewer's yeast:

1.) I could locate no scientific research on therapeutic use of brewer's yeast in children.

2.) Brewer's yeast contributes to the yeast overgrowth problem. All of the diets and treatments aimed at curing yeast overgrowth advise elimination of brewer's yeast in addition to baking yeast.

3.) The main benefit of brewer's yeast is that it is rich in the B-complex vitamins, and is one of the few good natural sources of chromium. If your multi-vitamin contains chromium, or you eat other natural sources of it, and if you are using a B-complex vitamin, wouldn't brewer's yeast be unnecessary?

If you are taking anti-depressants of the MAOI class, you should NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER use brewer's yeast, as the combination can lead to what is called "Hypertensive Crisis" which means dangerously skyrocketing bloodpressure which may lead to heart attack, stroke, death. Even among healthy people.

While brewer's yeast may provide certain beneficial nutrients, I think I would obtain those nutrients in a manner less likely to aggravate already existing symptoms.

Wheat germ is an excellent source of both protein and fiber. If you want to incorporate it into foods (especially baked goods) there are some nifty recipes that use wheat germ here: www.bobsredmill.com/recipe/ingredient.php?pid=406

If you'd like to take a look at the nutritional facts on wheat germ, take a look here: www.diet-data.com/cereal,_grains,_pasta/wheat_germ/crude/

[Everu]

I am very glad to hear your comments, Cat. You are a mine of serious up-to-date information.
Yeast infections can be hidden and very powerful, and you are quite right about brewer's yeast.......but we really do get instant good results for the things I mentioned. I understood from the dermatologist that none of them were yeast infections in our case, even the foot fungus.
Nothing to do with AD/HD specifically, but the anti-stress effects are important. It's the high concentration of proteins and minerals, as well as the complete Vit B that are so energising. And it comes much cheaper than multi-vits, and the results seem more palpable.
I had no idea about the problem with anti-depressants, and shall check what it is we are taking when we take them.
Anyway, wheat germ is great stuff (and cheapest of the lot). Thanks for the links.