190 HYPERACTIVITY

HYPERACTIVITY (see also

h

Hyperactivity is also often referred to as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), or Attention Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and they are all closely related. These conditions predominantly in children, but sometimes symptoms can continue into adulthood. There hard-and-fast definition of this disorder and consequently children who are merely re find it difficult to pay attention for great lengths of time, or find it difficult to learn generak tend to be labelled as having ADD. And children that also constantly fidget and are al the go may well be diagnosed as having ADHD. Typical symptoms include an inabi concentrate or sit still for any length of time, or rapid and severe mood swings, and children often need very little sleep. Children that are affected often find themselves in t

and are shunted from school to school. They can become delinquent teenagers and often up using drugs and alcohol.

All of these conditions are associated with an excessive intake of the sugar, art sweeteners, colourings and preservatives that are found in prescription medicines and tho of foods and drinks. Sensitivities to various foods and substances, such as bubble

air fresheners, spray deodorants, perfumes and toothpastes can also trigger these types behavioural problems. Far too many children still eat huge amounts of junk foods that devoid of vitamins, minerals and essential fats. Junk foods deplete nutrients from the body,

without any doubt, tests have shown that these children are malnourished, and this lack proper nutrients can have a devastating effect not only on their bodies, but most impo on their brains. Also, exposure to neurotoxins, such as lead from water pipes and car fumes, cadmium from cigarettes, can make the problem even worse. As can overexposure to chemicals during pregnancy.

The normal drug therapy is Ritalin, from the amphetamine family. In the US 3% of

age children take this medication, even though research has shown that it initiates changes brain structure and function that remain long after any therapeutic effects have dissi Ritalin may also increase the incidence of addiction to other substances such as cocaine

smoking in later life. Understandably many parents don't feel comfortable giving this drug their child; however, others feel it is their only weapon in making the child controllable teachable.

There is a growing body of negative evidence against this drug, but on the positive

nutritionists such as Patrick Holford have shown time and time again, that if artificial add and so on are removed from the diet and proper nutrition is practised, these children im in leaps and bounds. In prisons in the US and the UK, it has also been shown that

violent prisoners are given a better diet, plus the right vitamins, minerals and essentials fats,become calmer and 'kinder' people.

Foods to Avoid■ Any foods containing large numbers of additives, particularly the strong colourings like

tartrazine. Many sweets are bright and rainbow-coloured. The brighter the sweets the more they should be avoided.

■ Greatly reduce or eliminate cola-type drinks, and any foods or drinks containing the artificial sweetener aspartame. Look out for hidden sources such as chewing gum.

■ Generally cut out most foods containing sugar, such as cakes, biscuits, chocolates, and snack bars. One specialist once told me that giving sugar to hyperactive children was 'like putting rocket fuel in a Mini'. The odd treat is OK, but try to buy organic, low-sugar snack bars that have been sweetened with apple juice or honey. Most of the mass-produced refined foods

H Y P E R A C T I V I T Y 9 1

(white bread, pasta and rice; packaged ready-meals and so on) should go. As an occasional treat allow the child to eat a small amount of organic chocolate.

Citrus fruits and juices are often a problem.If your child has a favourite food, be it cheese, eggs, wheat-based foods, milk or orange juice, try cutting these out for 1-2 weeks and see if behaviour improves. It is usually the foods they eat and crave the most that are triggering many of their symptoms.Buy a book that gives you all E numbers and note which foods have the highest amounts and avoid them like the plague.

• ndly FoodsAs much as possible feed your child organic foods free from pesticides and herbicides. Try buying corn-, lentil-, rice- and spinach-based pastas.Introduce more whole foods and grains, such as brown rice, millet, oats, quinoa, lentils and vegetables into your child's diet.Nature's Path makes a great breakfast cereal range that is sweetened with apple juice. Any health shop sells ranges of wheat-free and/or low-sugar organic source cereals, mueslis and snack bars these days. Chop an apple or banana into the cereal for added fibre and nutrients. Alternatively make up your own muesli — use organic oats as a base, and then add sunflower and pumpkin seeds or linseeds (flax seeds), plus nuts such as Brazils or hazelnuts, to which you can add a few organic raisins or dried apricots. Nuts and seeds are high in essential fats, and in minerals like zinc, which are vital for healthy brain-functioning. This mix can be alternated to suit your preference. One week add more chopped almonds or grated coconut — another week add millet or rice flakes. When serving chop a banana, add fresh blueberries, and use organic rice milk or natural, low-fat yoghurt. Children are now discovering healthier milks such as Tiger White — made from plant extracts, which are non-dairy and high in healthier monounsaturated fats. To find your nearest stockist call 01453 874 000.

Try organic rice, oat, or goat's milk or yoghurt, which are less likely to cause a problem. Or try Tiger White 'milk' (see above).Use diluted sugar-free pear, apple or even grape juice, which are less likely than the citrus fruits to cause a problem.

Encourage the child to drink water in preference to fizzy drinks and try to encourage a taste for fresh fruit rather than sugary sweets. If he or she still wants the bubbles add 50:50 fruit juice to plain fizzy water — don't buy flavoured waters, which tend to be high in sugars.Add low-sugar fruit yoghurts to colourful fruit for tasty desserts that look attractive. I make jellies with a base of low-sugar cranberry juice, camomile tea, or fresh grapes — I chop fresh fruit into the jelly liquid and allow to set. A wonderful low-sugar treat.Sprinkle chopped nuts onto desserts as they are a rich source of minerals, but avoid peanuts. I use organic hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, almonds, coconut, and walnuts. I whiz them all in a blender. Keep the mixture in an air-tight jar in the fridge and sprinkle over breakfast cereals and desserts. The mixture lasts about a week.Give your child a serving of quality protein, such as chicken, fresh fish, eggs, tempeh, lentils and beans, nuts and seeds, with each meal of the day. Add pumpkin seeds to a salad — they are delicious.Essential fats found in oily fish, seeds and nuts are really important in controlling this type of behaviour. (See Fats You Need To Eat.)Ensure plenty of iron-rich foods are included in the diet as a lack of iron can decrease attentive-ness and narrow attention span. Good choices are cooked tofu, beans and pulses, spinach, eggs (unless your child has an intolerance to eggs), cabbage, prunes, dates and apricots and pumpkin seeds. Eat them along with some strawberries or kiwi fruit, which are rich in vitamin

192 HYPOGLYCAEMIA

C, to enhance absorption.■ Use unrefined, cold-pressed, preferably organic olive, sunflower, hemp, walnut or sesame oils

for salad dressings, or drizzle over cooked foods. Cook only with the olive oil or use Higher Nature's coconut oil instead. HN

Useful Remedies■ Magnesium is known as nature's tranquilliser and many children are low in this vital mineral;

400mg daily. Dr Bernard Rimland, the director of the Autism Research Institute, has found that combining vitamin B6 and magnesium was up to 10 times more effective than Ritalin. 50mg of B6 should be taken in a high-strength B-complex.

■ Essential fatty acids are vital. Try Efalex, 1-2 spoons a day over cooked food, or add to salad dressings.

■ Give your child a good-quality chewable multi-vitamin and mineral that is free from artificial additives. Solgar's chewable Kanga Vites are flavoured with natural fruit (avoid if citrus is a problem for your child). Nature's Plus also makes a great children's range of nutrients. NP

Helpful Hints■ Try to avoid smoking and drinking during pregnancy as both of these have been linked with an

increased likelihood of the child becoming hyperactive.■ If the child has allergies or food intolerances, explain to the child how they affect their

behaviour and tell everyone in the school or relatives who might be giving the child food or drinks, which they think are perfectly harmless.

■ For some children natural compounds found in food, called salicylates, can cause a problem (see Autism for more details).

■ Homoeopathy has a great track record of dealing with ADD and hyperactivity so, if you can, get your child along to a good homoeopath. Be prepared to be patient as it may not be an overnight success. See Useful Information, or call the Organic Pharmacy. OP

■ Avoid air fresheners of all types, spray deodorants, pot-pourri, and perfumed fabric condition-ers, washing powders and liquids. Try Ecover products, which contain far fewer chemicals, available in all major supermarkets and health stores.

■ As children with ADHD are 7 times more likely to have food intolerances than other children, get these checked out. Genova Diagnostics have an in-depth food intolerance test, and you can also request that they add on food additives to the test. Contact them on 020 8336 7750, or check out their website at http://gdx.uk.net

■ Links have been found between hyperactivity and high levels of heavy metals, namely mercury, lead, copper and aluminium. Get these checked out with a simple non-invasive, hair mineral analysis test. To order, call Analytical Research Laboratories on 0131 229 1077.

■ Patrick Holford's book Optimum Nutrition for the Mind has lots of information including details of the Brain Bio Centre, which he founded and which successfully treats those with ADHD.

■ ADD and ADHD are complex conditions, and as it is important that children do not become deficient in any nutrients, enlist the help of a qualified nutritionist. Contact the British Association for Nutritional Therapy by checking out their website at www.bant.org.uk, or calling 08706 061284 to find a nutritionist in your area.

■ A great site sharing stories from children affected by ADD and ADHD can be found at www.adders.org

■ For more help contact the Hyperactive Children's Support Group via www.hacsg.org.uk, or call 01243 539966.

HYPOGLYCAEMIA (see Low Blood Sugar)