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Natural Ways to Cure ADHD

Ask a parent what they think of their child on prescription drug medications for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and they may say something negative. Stimulants and other drugs often cause more bad than good, exacerbating the ADHD when the drugs wear off or provoke other problems. Crashes, irritable mood swings and trouble eating and sleeping are all associated with prescription drugs used for ADHD. Natural methods help improve symptoms and typically do not cause any adverse side effects.

  1. The Facts

    • Caring for someone with ADHD can be difficult if only one method is used. A comprehensive approach that includes various natural treatment options works best and can provide relief from symptoms. While ADHD is a neurological disorder that is not a curable disease, many of the symptoms diminish with consistent and dedicated treatments.

    Herbal Supplements

    • A study published in 2007 in The Internet Journal of Alternative Medicine concluded that while some doctors approve of herbal therapy to treat ADHD, most do not. The reasons for this include everything from potential side effects to efficacy. Despite these findings, most parents will agree that herbal supplements are worth a shot and have considerably fewer side effects than the prescription drug alternatives. Herbal supplements such as ginkgo biloba and St. John's wort treat specific symptoms of the disorder and a licensed medical professional should always supervise administration.

    Omega-3 Fatty Acids

    • In 2006, the International Review of Psychiatry reported that adding omega-3 acids to the treatment plan helps to improve symptoms associated with ADHD. To receive the benefits, the omega-3 acids must come from fish oil and contain the EPA and DHA components. Other forms of omega acids lack both of these necessary components.

    Zinc

    • Many instances of ADHD are actually proven to be a deficiency in the mineral zinc. A study cited in 1996 in Biological Psychiatry found that zinc therapy alleviates or cures ADHD symptoms. Ask a doctor or health professional for a blood test to measure mineral levels before deciding to use zinc therapy as a treatment option.

    Chiropractic Care

    • Manipulating the spine of people with ADHD reduces negative behaviors caused by the disorder. In 2004, the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics reported that chiropractic treatment of a child with ADHD was successful enough to allow the patient to stop the prescription drugs that were used prior to the research experiment. Choose a chiropractor that has experience in treating ADHD for the best possible outcome.

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