ADHD and the Mineral Connection
Scientists and doctors now believe that diet and nutrition can play a key role in managing ADHD and learning disabilities. According to Dr Gerald Olarsch N.D., learning disabilities are definitely linked to the fundamental lack of minerals in the body.
Dr Olarsch says this condition commonly appears in children as an extreme desire for salty and sugary foods. “Unfortunately for us, our body temporarily translates sugar and salt consumption as a fulfilment of the craving for nutritional minerals.”
According to Dr Olarsch, “Low iron levels were found to impair judgment, reasoning ability and all aspects of left brain activity, including scientific, mathematical, spoken and written language skills.” However, iron is only one of the many nutrient deficiencies depressing people’s health today. Clinically low levels of magnesium in the blood plasma are also associated with conditions of hyper-excitability and inattention in children. It has been estimated that up to 90 percent of children are magnesium deficient.
The behaviour problems associated with ADHD have also been linked to zinc deficiency. A Florida paediatrician claims notable success in treating the condition of ADHD with liquid supplements of electrolyte trace minerals and additional zinc.
Stimulant Effects on the Brain
According to Peter Breggin M.D. in his best selling book, Talking Back to Ritalin, he states Ritalin and other brain stimulants create severe biochemical imbalances. Stimulants do not ‘normalise’ the brain, but instead render it abnormal. Stimulants produce pathological malfunctions in the child’s brain.
Dr Breggin maintains that stimulants and amphetamines have an extremely negative impact on the brain by reducing overall blood flow, disturbing glucose metabolism, and possibly causing permanent shrinkage or atrophy of the brain.
Ritalin, as well as other stimulants, cause a loss of various neurotransmitters that can become permanent. Stimulants can also act as false neurotransmitters, changing the chemistry of the brain with irregular flow. Stimulants and amphetamines can impair the limbic system, the region of the brain that regulates and conveys emotions and mood to the cerebral cortex. The cortex controls intelligence, concentration and problem solving.
From age four to ten new learning and experiences are recognised and reinforced through connections between brain cells. As a child learns something new, new connections form, and neuron development is enhanced and increased.
Ritalin and other stimulants can interrupt blood flow and connections between brain cells. Stimulants can make some children more active, and others more withdrawn and despondent. They can worsen pre-existing tic disorders in children who have high risk for the disorder. A major problem in both children and adults using stimulant medications is Tourette’s Syndrome.
