ADD School Problems
BACKGROUND
DEFINITION: Hyperactivity or Hyperkinesia is considered to be a state of abnormal mental and physical restlessness. Behaviour is often unruly and boisterous or impulsive and fidgety. There is little need for sleep. These children prove to have endurance levels beyond those of their parents, teachers and siblings. Living intimately with such an individual is a traumatic and exhausting experience.
Expecting such a child to calm down and concentrate on school work without any form of medication would be asking for too much. They seem to tap into an energy system that gives them superior powers of endurance for which there seems to be no explanation. Their limited attention span seems to be overcompensated for with an uncontrollable surge of raw, primitive energy. Although this problem is on the increase we must be aware of the consequences of using dangerous amphetamines prior to correcting the nutritional deficiencies in the child’s diet.
Please keep an open mind during this discussion about these “disorders”. Our ultimate goal is to achieve healthy, happy children who do not have to live under a sinister cloud of threats from authorities who insist that they have a disorder that may not even exist. 90% of the cases being presented every day in schools in this country are being incorrectly diagnosed as the basis of the examination is downright fraudulent.
There is no reason to add more stress to a child who may not be able to study due to stress in the first place. Amphetamines cause even more stress to the body as they trigger the fight and flight stress response by stimulating the release of adrenaline and noradrenaline. There must be a way to solve this problem. Let us persevere and look at the variety of causes and solutions that current research has to offer.
RITALIN,COCAINE,SLIMMING DRUGS AND CAFFEINE : THE GLORY STORY
Would you treat a child’s “attention deficit disorder (ADD)” with Cocaine or Ritalin? These brain stimulants have dangerous side-effects and can be habit-forming. You may not even know that your child takes drugs at school. Some children sell their Ritalin for extra cash while others smoke Dagga or Mandrax because the Ritalin makes them restless. Others steal slimming pills or save up their Ritalin to get a “high” and “party” all night. Over 80% of today’s cocaine addicts took Ritalin at school.
RITALIN : THE NEW SCHOOL MASTER ?
“ADD” means your child has a learning problem and Ritalin is usually recommended for treatment. We are told that: “It works- the child gets better marks at school.” Some pupils do “improve” on the medication, but it is not a case of: “The more Ritalin you take, the smarter you get.” Just the opposite applies: artificial stimulants reduce levels of natural stimulants in the brain and lead to a physical dependence on drugs to function normally. Not all children can tolerate the sensation that Ritalin gives them. They are not all able to calm down, study or concentrate and become model students on Ritalin.Ritalin is merely a drug and as such, it has contra indications, side effects and certain limitations.
Both Ritalin and certain slimming drugs are taken for the “benefits” of side effects the drug produces and not for the intended use as a brain stimulant or amphetamine. Ritalin can be taken at three levels: small doses to stimulate the brain, larger doses to suppress the nervous system and thus counteract hyperactivity and lastly, overdosing that sets off a stress response in the body. Nobese, Appetrol, Dietene, etc, are brain stimulants used as slimming drugs. Ritalin is a brain stimulant commonly used to calm down children and help them to study. As with amphetamines, overdosing and abuse can lead to hysteria, delusions, paranoia, crying fits, excitability, dilated pupils, dry mouth, excessive sweating, suicidal tendencies and eventually nervous depression and the burn-out phase of the stress response.
Other side effects include growth retardation, unwanted weight loss, malnutrition, nausea, dizziness, lethargy, skin rashes and a change in blood pressure with irregular or violent heart palpitations. Physical and psychological dependence is common and stimulants such as Speed and Cocaine are often sought after in later years. Some children drink alcohol or smoke Dagga or Mandrax to counteract the Ritalin or they take slimming drugs that contain Fenfluramine as it has a sedative effect. To wake up again, they take amphetamines.
In America Ritalin is regarded as a “dangerous drug” by the Food and Drug Administration and the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. Don’t be fooled! Parents are reassured that Ritalin is a harmless, non habit-forming drug. The effect of Ritalin wears off after a few hours so it is taken every day. The brain becomes tolerant to Ritalin, so the doses are increased. Some schools will not accept pupils unless they are on Ritalin. That means children taking this schedule 7 drug can be taught but if treated with natural remedies, food supplements and diets they are often viewed with suspicion.
We should question the integrity of drug pushers who insist we abuse dangerous drugs for an automatic solution to our child’s learning problems. Is it symptomatic of the brainwashing that we ourselves have been subjected to? Every time we reach for a wonder drug to cure our headaches, stomach ulcers or aches and pains that result from mismanaging our bodies are we not guilty of neglect and laziness? We want results, we want them fast and so we reach for a quick fix. It is too easy to say we do not understand the causes of attention deficit disorders. It always requires effort to unveil the origin of a disease. If eventually we do find that a faulty genetic factor is to blame, do we automatically reach for the Ritalin and try to ignore the consequences of giving schedule 7 drugs to little children?
THERE ARE SAFER WAYS TO TREAT “ATTENTION DEFICIT” CHILDREN AND ADULTS.
Natural remedies may take longer to correct “attention deficit” disorders, but their effects are more permanent and have a better effect on one’s overall health. No more “hype-ups, let-downs or feeling funny”. Not all adults have very long attention spans either. How many people actually listen to you or make sense when they speak themselves? Studies show that all children with learning disorders suffer from a lack of calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, iron, B vitamins and essential fatty acids, as well as amino acids like L-taurine. The brain cannot manufacture them, regardless of the amount of stimulants given.
Ritalin suppresses the appetite and children who have zinc deficiencies are fussy eaters who crave sweets, junk foods and fizzy drinks. Low blood sugar is not a deficiency of sugar. It is caused by sugar abuse. The saying: “Sugar gives you go” is not true. Sugar triggers the release of too much insulin when consumed without protein, fat or fibre. The body craves more sugar because the excess insulin once again lowers blood sugar and affects one’s ability to concentrate.
LOW BLOOD SUGAR IS A MAJOR CAUSE OF “ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDERS”
Symptoms of low blood sugar are: a dizzy feeling, headaches, moodiness, irritability, confusion and a lack of concentration. They usually occur by mid morning in pupils who have not had a substantial breakfast. If they start the day with sugar coated cereals and very little else, their blood sugar will reach an all time low after two hours. “ADD” is common in children and adults who suffer from bad eating habits. Stimulants are not going to compensate for a lack of food. Adults take coffee, appetite suppressants and herbal stimulants when they can’t concentrate, but their children are given a schedule 7 drug!
NATURAL PRODUCTS THAT HAVE PRODUCED VERY GOOD RESULTS WITH “ADD”
The best way to deal with blood sugar disorders is to prevent them. Start with nutritious breakfasts, meals and snacks every two hours. Cut out sugar and junk food. Give vitamin and mineral supplements every day. A recent study showed that over 30% of the “attention deficient” children who took adequate daily supplements of zinc, copper, calcium and magnesium were able to come off their medications. Many people suffer from acidic constitutions as a result of alkaline mineral deficiencies. Trials with calcium and magnesium supplements indicate a return to an ideal salivary pH of 7 after a few weeks. Their low blood sugar problems also improved.
Vitamin E. Many parents have used this vitamin to control hyperactivity and attention deficit disorders. It has a calming, soothing effect. It is recommended as a supplement in conjunction with multivitamins and minerals. 100 or 200mg were given in the mornings before school.
HYPERBAN from NRF. A fully comprehensive supplement designed for school children by Professor Serfontein who has a very scientific approach to this problem. The supplement includes all the nutrients the growing child requires to achieve learning and concentration skills. Vitamins and amino acids serve as natural brain stimulants and they have a more permanent effect. A sensible healthy diet is also recommended and results can be expected within a few weeks
VITAMIN B12 and folic acid lozenges can be sucked under the tongue and given once or twice a day immediately before the study period. The brain is naturally energized and focused and it is safe to use, with no sinister side effects. You can try it for yourself. The small white pills cost about 30c each and are made by LEPPIN or the NRF who call it: FOLAVITE. Does wonders for self-esteem and the pills can be packed into an old Ritalin container or something with a prescription label and given to the teacher responsible who insists on drugging the kids. If she relaxes, you relax and the kid can get on with studying without more stress from adults who get uptight!
Lastly, have a good look at the diets we provide for blood types and the useful NATURE FRESH ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DIET that suits most conditions, especially ADD, ADHD, allergies, etc.
Well-nourished and happy children have abundant levels of energy and an acceptable concentration span that is usually better than that of their parents. Their non-verbal IQ levels are way above the children who live exclusively on junk foods and sweets. Yes, there is another a cure for “attention deficit disorders”