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I would llike to start my son on fishoil and take him of off meds.For the summer. I went to the drug store and I only saw capsual my son is 7 and has a hard time taking capsual so I'm looking for a liquid form dose anyone now what I can find at the drugstore? Also do I need to tell the doctor about Fishoil? I was just going to tell him I'm going to take him off of rettalin. Also could I start him on fishoil now while he is still on meds because I heard it takes awhile for the fishoil to take affect? Thank you for any advice. ↓
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| Name: Serina | Date: May 14th, 2006 4:40 AM |
My Sister inlaw has her son on a special diet no sugar, & no soda . He now tkes his med during the week only and the dose is lower.I would talk to the Drs some meds are not goto stopall at once. so ask & ask them about the fish oil. Omeg III can be bought in a gel cap it also can be found in Hepm seed oil( you can fry & cook with this) . If you go to your local health food store they can help you.( Just make sure the store has a nutritionist on staff that you can talk to) .
Very best of luck ↑ |
| Name: Fiona | Date: May 22nd, 2006 9:55 PM |
This fishoil will not be a substitute for any medication that your son is taking.
Omega3 has been shown in help with concentration and can imporve general behaviour, but if your son has a diagnosed problem then you should consult his doctor before withdrawing any medication - it can be harmful to just stop medication and your son's behaviour may worsen considerably as a result.
The fishoil will not stop your son from having the ADHD - his behaviour will still be affected - it can only help with some symptoms. It also takes 3 months to get into the system and start to have any kind of effect. It is not a cure all. ↑ |
| Name: Serina | Date: May 22nd, 2006 11:08 PM |
I you sould use hemp seed oil comes in liquid. You can cook withit and put in in food. It is hight in omega 3 but if you get liquid ( fish oil tass like fish ) way groos!!! If you go to your local health food store just ask them to recomend something for a 7 yr old. You can look up adhd diets on the web that is also a big help
Good luck! ↑ |
| Name: Serina | Date: May 22nd, 2006 11:09 PM |
Dietary changes
Avoiding food dyes and additives According to a recent report issued by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a small body of research (including a 1982 study by the National Institutes of Health) suggests that food dyes — and possibly preservatives, as well — can aggravate behavior problems in a small percentage of children with ADHD. You can test this theory in your own child's case by eliminating foods and vitamins containing colorings with names like tartrazine, Red 40, and Yellow 5 from your child's diet for several weeks to see if your child's behavior or mood improves. Many foods that contain these ingredients, such as cookies, candies, children's cereals, brightly-colored beverages, and soft drinks, should probably not make up a large part of your child's diet anyway.
Avoiding salicylate and food allergens A few experts advocate eliminating foods that contain the naturally occurring substance salicylate, such as apples, oranges, berries, apricots, and tomatoes. (A regimen called the Feingold Diet, created in the 1970s by Benjamin Feingold, an allergist, advocates eliminating foods that contain salicylate as well as food dyes and additives from the diet of children with ADHD. Studies on the effectiveness of this regimen have had widely varying results.) Several experts also believe that food allergies may aggravate the symptoms of ADHD and recommend eliminating foods they believe may be triggers, such as wheat, corn, chocolate, and eggs, but very little research has been done on this. If you suspect that your child may be allergic or behaviorally sensitive to any of these foods, talk to a nutritionist or allergist before removing them from his diet to ensure that your child is still getting all the nutrients his growing body needs.
Limiting sugar While many studies have examined a possible link between sugar and hyperactivity, none has found a significant relationship. Still, some parents swear that their children act out more after eating foods that contain a lot of refined sugar. It may be more likely that sugary foods contain other ingredients (food dyes, for example) that may worsen a child's behavior. In any event, it can't hurt to reduce the amount of sugar in your child's diet. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, children consume an average of twice the amount recommended. And while some people worry that using sugar substitutes such as saccharine or aspartame may have ill health effects, there's no evidence that they affect behavior in children with ADHD.
Limiting carbohydrates This theory suggests that a diet overly rich in carbohydrates can cause cyclical spikes and drops in blood sugar levels and exacerbate the symptoms of ADHD. "There's some evidence that kids with ADHD crave carbohydrates, particularly refined or simple carbs such as sugar and fruit, and in a small percentage of cases, eating these foods does seem to make the symptoms worse," says Lynn. Proponents of this theory recommend avoiding simple carbohydrates and replacing them with protein- and fiber-rich foods, such as meats and vegetables, but most experts don't subscribe to this strategy as a treatment for ADHD. "The best advice is to offer your child a balanced diet," says Lynn.
Supplements
Fatty acids Preliminary research shows that supplementing a child's diet with the essential fatty acid omega-3 (commonly called "fish oil" because it's found in fish) can help him manage his ADHD symptoms. This strategy is based on the premise that the brain needs certain fatty acids to function properly, and that ADHD symptoms like inattentiveness and impulsivity result from a deficiency of omega-3. In fact, children with ADHD do appear to have naturally lower levels of these lipids than other children do. Researchers are currently conducting studies to test the validity of the theory. Fatty acid supplements are considered fairly safe if you stick to the recommended dose; still you should always talk to your doctor before giving your child supplements of any kind.
Megavitamins and nutrients Some proponents claim that giving a child with ADHD large amounts of certain vitamins (such as B6 and B12), minerals (such as zinc), trace elements, and other nutritional elements can alleviate symptoms. Currently, very little reliable research exists to support this theory. Giving your child large doses of certain vitamins and minerals can, in fact, be dangerous. Offering a balanced and nutritious diet is the best way to ensure that he's getting the nutrients he needs. Speak to your child's doctor if you are concerned about his nutrition.
Homeopathy Some people claim that homeopathic remedies can significantly improve the symptoms of ADHD. The theory behind homeopathy is that certain potentially toxic substances, when taken in an extremely diluted form, can trigger the body's natural healing process. There are currently no reliable studies showing that homeopathy is effective for treating ADHD.
Herbs While you may be tempted to try giving your child herbs, such as valerian and ginkgo, that are thought to calm the nerves and increase the ability to focus, no research currently exists to show that taking herbs can reduce the symptoms of ADHD. And although herbs are "natural," they can be as potent as prescription drugs, especially for children. Since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates herbs only minimally, you can never be sure that you're even getting what the label indicates. Always speak with your doctor before giving your child any over-the-counter product, whether natural or synthetic. ↑ |
| Name: leah | Date: Jun 8th, 2006 9:19 PM |
| I found some liquid fish oil at Whole Foods which was lemon flavored. I mixed it with a couple of ounces of strong lemonade (Odwalla). My son doesn't mind drinking it at all (of course he doesn't know he is drinking fish oil!!! When he sees a little oil on top of the lemonade, I tell him it is vitamin lemonade. ↑ |
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