Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)

Q:  I have a child who suffers from Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).  I would like to know what supplements Beyond Health would recommend for ADD.  A:  Here are the supplements that we recommend for ADD sufferers.  I do not know how young your child is, therefore, some of this will have to be modified. But, it’s a start.   The Basic Wellness Kit (multi, vitamin C, and EFA).  In addition to: Acetyl L-Carnitine   It helps to improve eyesight and brain function including mood, learning, short-term memory, blood sugar, chronic fatigue, and sleep.  ALCAR is an occurring form of L-Carnitine that specifically benefits the brain. ALCAR helps supply the brain with energy by improving energetics in the mitochondrion, the cell's energy generator. ALCAR promotes biosynthesis of acetylcholine, a key neurotransmitter for brain and nerve function. Vitamin D3 - Works to prevent osteoporosis, cancer, MS, infections, Alzheimer’s and auto immune disease.  Helps regulate blood sugar and blood pressure. Critical to memory in seniors. Choline Citrate - Helps build cell membranes and aids absorption of magnesium through damaged intestinal cell walls. Choline aids production of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter important for memory, cognition, and motor control. Choline is the important B vitamin that fuels tissue renewal and helps build acetylcholine. It is so vital to thought and nerve function that, without it, we couldn't move, think, sleep or remember anything. Choline is also responsible for synthesizing phosphatidylcholine (PC), a component of the membrane of every cell in your body, including brain cells. In addition to its role as a structural element in cell membranes, PC acts as a choline reservoir for synthesizing more acetylcholine when needed. Because phosphatidylcholine is a common component of cell membranes, it is distributed throughout the body. Also, as we age, choline levels decline and it is unable to get into the brain efficiently.For years, lecithin was a popular supplement thought to supply choline, but a review of randomized trials did not find lecithin to be more beneficial than placebo in the treatment of patients with dementia or cognitive impairment. CoQ10 - It is a critical component of mitochondria that are present in practically every cell in our body. Mitochondria may in fact be considered as fuel cells where biological energy called ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is produced. CoQ10 is also a potent antioxidant and it helps protect the tissues and the cellular components in the body from free radical damage. In addition, CoQ10 has other important functions in the body. Endura/PAK – This rovides exceptional nutritional supportfor muscular stamina and mental sharpness. It contains aunique combination of L-glutamineand pyridoxal alpha-ketoglutarate(PAK). Glutamine is a primary fuel forthe intestines, muscles, brain, and liver.PAK naturally recycles L-glutamine, sothe body can use it over and over again. Thiodox – This is a dynamic trio of regulators (glutathione, N-acetyl cysteine, and lipoic acid) for biological function. Their actions affect many vital cellular processes, including liver detoxification, glutathione production, and improved immune function. Formulated to enhance and protect liver, brain and eye function.  The nutrients contained in ThioDox support detoxification, immune system function and glutathione production. The formula provides antioxidant activity, enhances effectiveness of other antioxidants, and supports blood sugar and homocysteine within normal levels. N-acetyl cysteine comes from the amino acid L-cysteine. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. N-acetyl cysteine has many uses as medicine. It is also used for chest pain (unstable angina), bile duct blockage in infants, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease), Alzheimer’s disease, allergic reactions to the anti-seizure drug phenytoin (Dilantin), and an eye infection called keratoconjunctivitis. It is also used for reducing levels of a type of cholesterol called lipoprotein (a), homocysteine levels (a possible risk factor for heart disease) and the risk of heart attack and stroke in patients with serious kidney disease. Ginkgo - It supports a healthy cardiovascular system, including healthy cholesterol levels, circulation, immune function, liver function, nerves, and helps fight stress and fatigue. Cholesterol can be a confusing area of health. On one hand it is essential whilst on the other hand it can kill us. This is because there are two types of Cholesterol – HDL and LDL. The latter type is considered bad. Modern medicine has found that garlic contains allicin which scavenges hydroxyl radicals (OH). This is turn is thought to prevent LDLs from being oxidised. Anti-Bacterial – Garlic has 1% of the potency of penicillin and can ward off a number of bacteria such as Listeria, Salmonella, E. coli, Cryptococcal meningitis, Candida albican and Staphylococcus. The problem with most antibiotics is that bacteria develops resistance to them, however this is not the case with garlic. Blood Clots – Clinical trials, which were published in the Journal of Hypertension, showed that the blood pressure of volunteers was reduced 1 – 5% after taking garlic supplements. This may not sound a lot but this small reduction can reduce the chance of a stroke by 30-40% and heart disease by 20-25% PHOSSERINE - PhosphatidylSerine (PS) is a phospholipid present in cell membranes. PhosSerine is used for treatment of memory problems and support of brain function in Alzheimer's Disease. The PS in this formulation is produced without bacterial enzymes or solvents. B12-Folate - Alzheimer’s patients were found to be deficient in both vitamin B12 and folate when compared to age-matched controls. In fact, supplemental B12 has been shown to completely reverse memory loss in some older people. About 15 percent of the population has a gene that puts them at high risk for dementia when deficient in B12. Supplementation with B12 will both prevent and reverse this dementia. B vitamins are critical to controlling homocysteine and B vitamins are depleted by eating sugar, a major component of jelly beans. Magnesium- Magnesium is the most common mineral deficit in the human body. Magnesium deficits have been associated with Chronic Fatigue, PMS, muscle cramps, and cardiovascular events. Over 80% of people who suffer heart attacks have magnesium deficits, and immediate replacement of magnesium reduces damage to the heart muscle. Beyond Health’s unique formulation provides maximum bioavailability at the cellular level. Critical mineral that regulates PH Helps to establish an alkaline environment in the body. Cancer cannot live in an alkaline environment. In the absence of Magnesium, free radicals accumulate. When Magnesium is lacking, critical jobs cannot get done. When you are magnesium deficient, magnesium absorption is impaired. Cells need magnesium to activate the biochemical pathway. Using it with Choline creates an electrically neutral compound that bypasses the normal uptake pathway, allowing the magnesium to effortlessly pass through the cell membranes. Choline helps to increase energy and is necessary for the proper transport of fats, preventing fat accumulation in the liver. Choline supports weight loss and increases bile acid production for the gall bladder. It also enhances liver detoxification and is essential for nerve impulses and memory.