Are ADHD Supplements A Treatment Option Parents Should Consider?
As more time passes what is becoming increasingly clear is that ADHD/ADD prescription medications such as Ritalin and Adderall are not as safe as once thought.
This has caused many well informed parents to search for natural non prescription ADHD supplements for their children.
Nevertheless, making the choice to try natural ADHD supplements is not an easy one since many current drugs for the condition are effective somewhere in the vicinity of 70 percent of the time.
Adding to this confusion is the realization that the vast majority of western medicine practitioners have little confidence in natural remedies, little alone recommending them for complicated mental conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, or anxiety.
All of which can, and often do, co-exist with ADHD.
The information listed below includes alternative medicine solutions regularly mentioned for effectively managing common ADHD symptoms.
All of these natural ADHD supplements are generally considered to be very safe (with the exception of iron) and produce few if any side effects.
Additionally, while prescription medications only mask symptoms there is some evidence to suggest that natural remedies may be able to produce at least some long lasting results even after being discontinued.
So if you have a few minutes why don't we walk through a short list of ADHD supplements and remedies.
*Homeopathy: While more study is needed clinicians using homeopathy have shown results on par with those of prescription medications.
But the question is what formulas and at what dosages produce the best results both in terms of safety and effectiveness? For this reason when considering homeopathy make sure to find a reputable supplier with a pristine record for safety and professionalism.
*Fish oil: Fish oil is high in omega 3 fatty acids, specifically docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).
There seems to be an ever building body of evidence to support the idea that children with ADHD over the age of 6 may benefit from omega three fish oil high in DHA/EPA.
Some preliminary studies seem to show that fish oil reduces the concentration (a may perhaps rebalance) the brain chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine which are thought to be the biological cause of the condition.
*St.
Johns wort: This herb is primarily used for treating anxiety, depression, fear, and insomnia and has been a standard ingredient in many herbal remedies for years.
While there is solid research to support this herbs effectiveness in cases of mild anxiety and depression there is little evidence to support its effectiveness in reducing ADHD symptoms.
That said, it is generally considered to be very safe and might be worth a try.
*Zinc: Deficiencies in zinc produce many of the same symptoms that exist in ADHD children such as hyperactivity, impulsivity, and to a lesser degree inattention.
Research seems to support the idea that doctor approved and closely monitored zinc supplementation can correct this deficiency, thus reducing ADHD symptoms.
*Other ADHD natural supplements thought to be helpful are skullcap, gotu cola, and the small daily doses of the mineral iron.
In conclusion, the quest for natural ADHD supplements should be all about safety.
Minerals such as zinc, and especially iron, raise some serious health concerns and should only be consumed with a great deal of caution.
On the other hand homeopathic remedies and fish oil seem to produce good results with few, in any, side effect risks.
For most parents searching for answer to the puzzle that is attention deficit disorder supplements a non prescription approach including ADHD supplements is a road worth traveling.
That said, results should be monitored closely along with a healthy dose of skepticism until behavioral changes have been observed.
This has caused many well informed parents to search for natural non prescription ADHD supplements for their children.
Nevertheless, making the choice to try natural ADHD supplements is not an easy one since many current drugs for the condition are effective somewhere in the vicinity of 70 percent of the time.
Adding to this confusion is the realization that the vast majority of western medicine practitioners have little confidence in natural remedies, little alone recommending them for complicated mental conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, or anxiety.
All of which can, and often do, co-exist with ADHD.
The information listed below includes alternative medicine solutions regularly mentioned for effectively managing common ADHD symptoms.
All of these natural ADHD supplements are generally considered to be very safe (with the exception of iron) and produce few if any side effects.
Additionally, while prescription medications only mask symptoms there is some evidence to suggest that natural remedies may be able to produce at least some long lasting results even after being discontinued.
So if you have a few minutes why don't we walk through a short list of ADHD supplements and remedies.
*Homeopathy: While more study is needed clinicians using homeopathy have shown results on par with those of prescription medications.
But the question is what formulas and at what dosages produce the best results both in terms of safety and effectiveness? For this reason when considering homeopathy make sure to find a reputable supplier with a pristine record for safety and professionalism.
*Fish oil: Fish oil is high in omega 3 fatty acids, specifically docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).
There seems to be an ever building body of evidence to support the idea that children with ADHD over the age of 6 may benefit from omega three fish oil high in DHA/EPA.
Some preliminary studies seem to show that fish oil reduces the concentration (a may perhaps rebalance) the brain chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine which are thought to be the biological cause of the condition.
*St.
Johns wort: This herb is primarily used for treating anxiety, depression, fear, and insomnia and has been a standard ingredient in many herbal remedies for years.
While there is solid research to support this herbs effectiveness in cases of mild anxiety and depression there is little evidence to support its effectiveness in reducing ADHD symptoms.
That said, it is generally considered to be very safe and might be worth a try.
*Zinc: Deficiencies in zinc produce many of the same symptoms that exist in ADHD children such as hyperactivity, impulsivity, and to a lesser degree inattention.
Research seems to support the idea that doctor approved and closely monitored zinc supplementation can correct this deficiency, thus reducing ADHD symptoms.
*Other ADHD natural supplements thought to be helpful are skullcap, gotu cola, and the small daily doses of the mineral iron.
In conclusion, the quest for natural ADHD supplements should be all about safety.
Minerals such as zinc, and especially iron, raise some serious health concerns and should only be consumed with a great deal of caution.
On the other hand homeopathic remedies and fish oil seem to produce good results with few, in any, side effect risks.
For most parents searching for answer to the puzzle that is attention deficit disorder supplements a non prescription approach including ADHD supplements is a road worth traveling.
That said, results should be monitored closely along with a healthy dose of skepticism until behavioral changes have been observed.
