Expert: Norm Bishop - 7/13/2004

Question
Could you tell me about effective alternative ADD treatments and alternative medications to ritilan.
Thanks
David  

Answer
ADD is unique to each individual, and therefore, treatments that work for one, don't necessarily work with others.  It would be nice if we had a single cure, but we don't.  Therefore, I can address the common medications and treatments that are used that have shown effectiveness in some ADD clients.

The most commonly prescribed medicine currently prescribed is Adderal, which is time released ritalin.  A Stimulant that is released gradually and maintains itself in the bloodstream much longer than pure ritalin.  There are other forms of time released dexadrine that have a similar effect.  Some doctors are currently precribing psychotropics that are used with other psychological disorders and having a positive effect.  Some of those are:  Concerta (a stimulant that acts totally different than ritalin (more like caffine)), Wellbutrin (a drug given to control anger and impulse control), Prosac (used for bipolar disorder and major depression).  The most promising new medication is Strattera, which is a non-stimulant medicine that has a similar effect on the regulation of brain waves.  I would definitely start with this medication if I were to try meds.

Alternative treatments are many, some with an effect, some without.  Massage is one treatment that is having some pretty staggering results.  The best seems to be a combination of a normal full body massage with cranial sacral massage.  (I don't really know the diffence, but most medical massage therapists, like my wife, would know).

The most effective treatment is the elimination or reduction of raw processed sugars from the diet.  White cane sugar has had a great number of nutrients stripped from it in the process of making it a bagable, or boxable product.  Cultures without raw processed sugar in their diet do not see ADD behaviors.  To eliminate this from a child's diet is extremely hard, since it exists in many forms and in many foods.  Read the ingredients line and if the product includes corn syrup, fructose, or any other word ending in ose, it has raw processed sugar in it.  You can substitute naturally found sugars from fruit, honey, syrups, etc, which still include all those trace nutrients.  Read the book entitled "Sugar Blues."  

The other culprits seem to be highly processed foods containing food coloring dyes and preservatives other than salt.  

If you are inclined to try this route prior to medication, I recommend that you severely reduce the amount of processed sugar, eliminate or reduce highly processed foods (those found in a box, can, or microwave serving package), and increase Vitamin B Complex and Vitamin C, as well as more natural fruits and vegatables (the more colors of fruit and veggies a day, the better).  Sometimes this has a profound effect.

These are the most common treatments, although they are working on new ones as we speak.

Norm