Do we have to be a ritalin society?

I am still researching the possibility of Omega-3 being the answer for some children with ADHD. There is quite a bit of information on the web about this and it makes me hopeful that this is not some quacky hoax.

It could also be quite sad if true because a lot of society has switched from wholesome meals to processed and/or "on the go" drive through meals, resulting in our children not receiving the proper nutrients and having deficiencies - not only deficiencies in the known vitamins and minerals but the unknown benefits that come in natural, unprocessed foods that we haven't even found out about yet. Perhaps some children are more susceptible than others to these unhealthy additives resulting in the behavior we see that is diagnosed as ADHD. Add to that children who are stuck in the middle of two warring parents in a divorce situation and the resulting behavioral problems, parents who do not parent with some structure and consistency, or parents who give their child everything with no expectations for responsibility or accountability...it's a recipe for Ritalin because behavioral problems in children get an ADHD label quickly instead. Is any of the above contributing to or being mistaken for ADHD with the child being medicated the result?

We are a Ritalin society. We shouldn't be.

Interesting article:
WebMD - Can Omega-3 Fatty Acids Help With ADHD?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends eliminating preservatives and food colorings from foods for ADHD kids.

There is SO MUCH out there online. I think other factors need to be considered and remedied or eliminated before we medicate our children.

For the other articles in my blogs on this topic, and links to research data:

Omega-3 Source

Need Your Help

Is Omega-3 A Breakthrough?

Managing ADHD Without Meds

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ADHD, Apraxia & Omega-3

I am looking for information on the use of Omega-3 for helping symptoms of ADHD and Apraxia. If you have firsthand knowledge of positive results, please let me know here. It's really important that I find out all I can on this. Thanks!!

Some information I have read about managing ADHD without medications I've listed here. Though, I do have a bunch more info. that I will post soon.

Research, research, research!

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Managing ADHD Without Medications

I've been doing some online research on ADHD because my stepson was diagnosed with ADHD and ODD several years ago. He was on medication for a few years but is now off of it (not because he's better but because of the stomachaches). Since coming off his medication, his grades have fallen several grades and many of his teachers are having problems with his behavior in class. Nothing has been done about it to date either that we've been informed of, which is really sad because he is an "A" student.

However, I have found some promising research that I think parents with ADHD children (or who are ADHD themselves) might find useful. It has to do with kids being deficient in Omega-3 and the studies that showed improvement in children who were given fish oil supplements. Here are several links to review:

www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/QAA400011

http://www.adhdnews.com/blog/archives/2006/03/adhd_teens_calm.html

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071202022130AAu1by3

http://www.healthline.com/eatingwell/etw-omega-3-fats-and-adhd

http://www.drgreene.com/21_2167.html

http://writtenoutputdisorder.blogspot.com/2007/04/study-shows-omega-3-helps-adhd.html

http://www.webmd.com/content/article/108/109071.htm

http://www.askdrsears.com/news/headlines0407.asp

http://holistic-parenting.suite101.com/article.cfm/adhd_and_omega3


http://www.naturalhealthweb.com/articles/virtue2.html


http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/12/061205220041.htm

http://addadhdadvances.com/omega-3.html

http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?n=68599-equazen-omega-adhd-fish-oil

http://www.healingwithnutrition.com/newsclips/archive/omega3add.html


Obviously fish is a great way to get it with some fish higher in it than others). Flax seed is high in Omega-3. You can grind it up (or buy it ground) and sprinkle it over cereals, yogurts, and into sauces like spaghetti sauce. I keep the bulk of it in the freezer and take out a small bowlful each week and keep it in the fridge to use. Flax oil is high in Omega-3 as well and should be kept refrigerated (so it doesn't go rancid). I've never used the oils. I've read the oils can be mixed in with butter (though you can now buy butter with it in there already), ice cream, shakes, yogurts I have read. There are supplements as well. Also, eliminating high carb, heavily processed foods is recommended along with it for ADHD.

My own children do not have ADHD thankfully. I am going to make sure they receive all the nutrition they need though for their overall general health.


I did send this information to my husband's ex, though I doubt it was received well because it came from me (and I'm evil). This was last week and not a word. No surprise there. Given his grades and behavior, and the fact that his diet is atrocious (as I saw when he was here in March...the amount of weight this boy had put on and the junk he wanted to put away...ugh), I hope at least the topic is brought up with his doctor before it is tossed in the trash. If it didn't help his ADHD symptoms, at least he'd be eating healthier.

This is NOT a sponsored post.

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