Here it is! The result of the survey to all ADHD and ADD
people on the mailing list.This month we will look closely at solutions
offered by other ADHD families, that may help you, and coping
techniques that work.
Natural
Supplements.Just under 25% took natural supplements themselves
and just under 50% gave natural supplements to their children. All people
who answered the question used natural supplements as only part of their
ADHD regime, and just under 20% also had considered nutritional and dietary
changes.
The supplements were obtained through
health food shops, a homeopath, a naturopath, over the Internet and from
their own businesses.
Comparing them to prescription drugs,
the variance was wide with some finding no difference to others finding
a noticeable difference , and from seeing an effect in "a few days" to
it taking 6 months to notice! This seems to reinforce the strong message
we get from many sources, that ADHD and ADD people are unique in what will
help , and each needs to try out ideas that have worked for others and
see if they will make a difference. If they do, you have another piece
of the jigsaw in place, if they don't, try another idea!
What
people are taking!
One
ADD adult takes OPC's/pycnogenols, Omega-3's, Evening Primrose, Hypomultiple
Vitamins, B-Complex, Ginko, Vitamin C, Calcium & Magnesium,Black Cohosh
and Ginseng "So far, response is much slower than prescription drugs. I
am having positive results, but obviously, need more time to allow
a build-up in the system.... am considering switching to another supplement
combination .... to replace current antioxidant combination The pycnogenols:
are from grape seed and pine bark, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, 180 mg EPA, 120
mg DHA, fish oil supplement from fish skin
Hypomultiple Vitamin/Mineral Formula
-- Beta Carotene, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine, Thiamin, Niacinamide, Pantothenic
Acid, Choline, Moinositol, PABA, Biotin, Bit B-12, Folic Acid, DL alpha
tocopherol acetate, Glutamic Acid, calcium, magnesium, potassium, manganese,
zinc, and small amounts of selenium, vanadium, molybdenum, chromium &
siliconEvening Primrose - Omega-6's and Omega-9
The eyesight has improved since
taking pycnogenols, also ability to concentrate and focus on school work,
as well as carry on a conversation without skipping continually from subject
to subject with no apparent segue.The eyesight improved immediately, and
I noticed the detox effect right away, but other effects took/are taking
longer
Another
ADD adult takes St.
Johns Wort, Ginko Biloba, Kava Kava, Valerian Root... Mannatech and
he finds "Not as on edge and more focused.........as good As Ritalin did
for me..
St
Johns Wort from a local health food shop was a possible solution for
another mum but she says," nothing seems to help to be honest."
Vitamin
B-6 and St John's Wort was being trialled by another mum of an ADHD
and she said"I see some change in him."
Having never used
prescription drugs one person answered that they take, " Ginkgo
Biloba and St.Johns Wort. They boosted moral and it took 2 weeks to
notice a difference."
Another mum says,"
These are for me: Your Life B-Complex, E, C, D with calcium Bronson Selenium,
Your Life St. John's Wort +Ginseng, Gingko Biloba My son takes: Nutrition
Now Rhino Vites She gets them from the regular grocery store and GNC store
and she adds," no side affects." They contain," A, D, C, B-5, B-3, B-1,
B-6, B-2 ,PABA, B-3, Folic acid, biotin, B-12 ,K-1 and we both
feel much better, able to concentrate " It took a couple of days to notice
a difference
Efalex was a natural
solution for 3 ADHD people and one person answered,"Natural ones appear
to have made no difference to behaviour or concentration. Kalm Kids instead
of Catapress was totally useless. (recommended 2 tables at night, started
at 4 and went to 6 with no noticeable esponse. Pharmacist said if they
would not work at 6 they are of no use
Leritone junior
and Efalax is for another mum from the health food store. She adds," The
affects don't last as long and unsure if I can up the dosage. They contain
evening primrose, tuna oil, thyme oil and vitamin b. They help for 4 hours
and says on the bottle to give once a day." she noticed a difference within
a few days.
Along with omega
3, Efalex, Revenol, Orachel,Feroxin one mum also was giving a diet of no
preservatives, yeast, colourings, additives, sugar, honey, cream. Her advice
had come from a naturopath, and they are taken in conjunction with prescription
drugs. Revenol is an antioxidant , Orachel a vitamin supplement , Feroxin
a mineral supplement , and Efalex contains evening primrose oil, thyme
oil and tuna oil. It had taken at least 3 months for them to get into the
system and start to work properly
Omega 3 and Omega
6 and essential salts plus a multi vitimin called "Calmative ADD was recommended
to another mum for her ADHD son from a Homeopath at local Chemist. This
child has never taken prescription drugs so can't compare but " My son
is able to do his school work however we have lots of highs and lows and
it took six months to notice any difference.
Natrol liquid bought
off the Internet " just makes him healthy, " said another Mum and they
contain,"all daily vitamins necessary
A solution for
another family is Nature Plus Children's Chewable, Twin Labs Stress Mates,
Twin Labs GABA Plus, Vitamin Shoppe Omega 3, Kirkland Vitamin E All from
the Health Food Store, Costco "They are definitely a supplement, not a
replacement. They help considerably with the side effects of Adderall
and has meant my son can continue to use it," says Mum. She continues,
"They contain vitamins and minerals, amino acids And the GABA Plus ( with
inositol and niancimamide) helped with the insomnia and nightmares immediately,
the affect of B vitamins took a little longer to notice, but he was able
to put on a 3 pounds over 2 months. He's been using the B's a year now
and is up to a regular weight, still slender but no longer skeletal.
We just started the Omega 3 and E, and I'm starting to notice a difference.
It seems to help the staying power of the Adderall, smoothing it out, but
we still have to do a mid-afternoon dose.
This mum has Pedi-Active
A.D.D._by Nature's Plus Also calms forte --by Hylands Also use a high nutritional
supplement, along with Barleans Flax seed oil All from the local health
food store and she had had No experience with prescription meds They
contain Dmae, passiflora, omega3 and 6 chains and she says," Still in the
beginning stages of results with six year old son, have taken for approx.
6 weeks as of now and some small positive changes are energing with attention,
and overall health is and has been excellent with the food supplements
that he has been taken for over a year.
Another family
takes GABA DHEA Quecitin C Large dose B, zinc all from the health food
store. When asked about the effectiveness she said," it is hard to tell
because this family has environment to take into consideration."
Double X-Ginseng
& Ginkgo Biloba is the answer for another family who," Buy them through
my business. They are natural and they seem to help me in coping with my
son-these are dietary supplements no prescription is needed for them".
Eureka!!
Found it! There are trends all through these recommendations that you should
trial if you are looking for a natural alternative.
So here it is: The wish list!
-
Gingko Biloba
-
Ginseng
-
A high quality Multi vitamin, antioxidant
and mineral supplement with B vitamin range . This saves having to
buy all the listed vitamin, minerals and antioxidants separately
and insures you have the right co-factors for proper absorption.
-
Omega 3 and Omega 6 combination
-
GABA plus inositol and niancimamide)
-
St John's Wort
To
see the full range of supplements available online, with safe, secure ordering
visit Dr Whitaker.com here
Just a note from an ADHD adult you
need to read:
"There are many herbs which can
react with some medical treatment. All items on your "wish list" cause
blood thinning and therefore severe risk if a person requires surgery.
Some of us ADD/ADHD individuals are also dignosed with various other ailments.
I have Sjogren's (arthritic stuff) which requires me to consume huge dosages
of aspirin type meds. If I were to also take a combination of the "wish
list" herbs with my medication, the risk of internal bleeding would be
present. ... I research all herbs and keep very accurate logs of my trials
but not all people are as cautious as me. All I ask is that you put some
sort of advisory with your list of herbs " So be sure to check that the
natural supplements you take compliment any meds, by checking with your
medical advisor.
Each
month the top 10 books on ADD or ADHD and supplements are listed here.
They are the books that others are reading and finding helpful, and we
therefore recommend them to you.This month's top 10 are below and
they can be reviewed, ordered and purchased safely and securely in
association with our trusted partners amazon.com, just by clicking on the
book title.If you wish to see the whole collection click here