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Growth or Consequences?

The ADHD medications Ritalin, Adderall and Dexedrine while having short term benefits for treating this condition, have long term detrimental effects which include stunted growth. In an article recently published by a number of American scientists it was revealed that these medications not only kept children from growing normally, they also had no beneficial effect on their overall behavior over a three year period! 1

Other studies have indicated that ADHD medications have been indicated in damage to children's developing brains causing them to have permanent problems with memory, learning, appetite and ability to handle stress. 2

ADHD medications are dangerous and addictive. Our Government is aware of this and that is why the DEA treats them like any other "street drug." Production of these drugs is controlled and limited, yet it does not deter young people from using them to get high. A study conducted by Northwestern University found that 75% of college students abused these drugs and often will crush them and "snort" them like cocaine. 3

News such as this should scare parents into thinking long and hard before allowing their children to be placed on such dangerous medication! There are many that scoff at the thought of diet having anything to do with the development of ADHD, but there is compelling evidence to the contrary.

There are many scientific studies that have proven that children with ADHD have very low levels of omega-3 fats in their diet. It's not surprising because over the past 70 years omega-3 fats have been stripped from the typical American diet because of hydrogenization of all oils to give them "shelf-life." Hydrogenization is a process where nickle electrodes are electrified in vats of oil which causes hydrogen gas to bubble up through the oil destroying all the omega-3 fats. Omega-3's are what makes oil go rancid. Another name for omega-3 fats is "essential fatty acids." There is a good reason they are called "essential," because they are essential for good health and normal body and brain function! Cod liver oil and flax seed oil deliver the two kinds of omega-3 fats that the body needs. They must be taken in their natural form and unheated because heat destroys these fragile fatty acids!

There are many other natural substances that have been proven to help children with ADHD. Pycnogenol, an extract made from a pine tree that grows in France, 5-HTP a precursor of serotonin and tyrosine have been used with great success to treat ADHD! These are all natural and non-addictive substances! You do not have to subject your child to dangerous and addictive drug to get help with ADHD! There are doctors who can help naturally! If you are unable to locate one in your area contact me and I will give you the names and contact information for doctors in your area! This includes all 50 States!

1.Jensen et al, "3-Year Follow-up of the NIMH MTA Study." Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 2007. 46(8):989-1002.
2.Gray et al, "Methylphenidate Administration to Juvenile Rats Alters Brain Areas Involved in Cognition, Motivated Behaviors, Appetite, and Stress," Journal of Neuroscience, 2007, 27(27):7196-7207.
3 Christian et al, "Illicit Use of Specific Prescription Stimulants Among College Students: Prevalence, Motives, and Routes of Administration," Pharmacotherapy, 2006, 26(10): 15011510.

Learn more about this author, William Altgeld.
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