if any of this is inappropriate - please let me know/delete it.

I have been doing some research (via the web) on nutritional/dietary treatments for ADD/ADHD, and I thought I would pass the information along to those on the forum interested in using a medication free/med-reduced form of treatment.

http://www.healing-arts.org/children/ADHD/nutritional.htm

A site by John M. Dye, ND (jdye@sedona.net, jdye@healing-arts.org)

Quick summary: Gives info on possible (some 'tested') treatments with diet change to help symptoms of ADHD. Talks about supplaments, food allergies, mineral deficits, fatty acid deficits and so forth. I cannot speak for Mr. Dye's creditablity ... but you are free to look and decide for yourself.

Another article that I thought was interesting ....

"Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) responds well to a diet change

Over 10% of school age children in USA are nowadays diagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADD) and the corresponding attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). That is an alarmingly huge number. There wasn't such an epidemic in the 1800s, and even now the problem is concentrated in the USA. Why? What has changed?

Your doctor may tell you that diet change does not help and that Ritalin or other drugs and counseling are the only effective treatment, but that is not so! In a recent study, researchers compared a group of children treated with Ritalin to another group which received a mix of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, amino acids, essential fatty acids, phospholipids, and probiotics. Both groups showed significant and essentially identical improvement. The treatment was based around these known eight risk factors for ADD/ADHD: food and additive allergies, heavy metal toxicity and other environmental toxins, low-protein/high-carbohydrate diets, mineral imbalances, essential fatty acid and phospholipid deficiencies, amino acid deficiencies, thyroid disorders, and B-vitamin deficiencies. They concluded: "These findings support the effectiveness of food supplement treatment in improving attention and self-control in children with AD/HD and suggest food supplement treatment of AD/HD may be of equal efficacy to Ritalin treatment."
(Outcome-based comparison of Ritalin versus food-supplement treated children with AD/HD. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12946241&dopt=Abstract) Altern Med Rev. 2003 Aug;8(3):319-30.)

The following information is mostly paraphrased from Dr. David William's popular Alternatives Newsletter (http://www.drdavidwilliams.com/nc/newsletter.asp) September 1999 issue. Dr. David Williams is an medical doctor and a medical researcher who studies scientific research and travels around the globe researching natural cures and nutrition for different illnesses. He is not taken in by any kind of hype and thoroughly researches the matter before reporting the working solutions in his newsletter.

Food additives and insensitivities

The finger points back to the unnatural chemicals used abundantly all around us and in our food supply, and to the gravely deficient diets that most Americans eat. People in the past were better off with their whole grains and less variety than us today with tons of variety of processed food robbed of its nutrition.

Children with ADD are commonly treated with a drug Ritalin, instead of looking into nutritional deficiencies and insensitivies to chemicals and foodstuffs. Ritalin can be very dangerous in the long run. It has some same properties as cocaine. For example, researches at the Brookhaven National Laboratory at Upton, New York found that when Ritalin was given to cocaine users, they couldn't distinguish the Ritalin high from a cocaine high. One study at University of California at Berkeley found that Ritalin users were three times more likely to develop a taste for cocaine. The same researchers form The Brookhaven Laboratory have followed 5,000 children with ADHD till adulthood, and found that when ADHD-diagnosed children reach adolescense, they exhibit higher rates of alcohol and drug abuse and are involved in more criminal activities and accidents compared to non-ADHD children. Their problems follow them into adulthood, too, with depression, divorce, and low self-esteem.

Ritalin is not a cure. It is a quick-fix for behaviorial problems that does not address the underlying cause. Fortunately, there is help. Studies in Australia and the U.S. have shown that almost three-quarters of ADHD-diagnosed children show remarkable improvement when placed on diets which elimiate dyes, preservatives and foods commonly associated with allergic reactions (cow's milk, wheat, soy, eggs, corn, chocolate, yeast, orange and apple juice). In the 1970's, Dr. Benjamin Feingold found that many of the hyperactive children were allergic to artificial flavors, colorings, preservatives, and the salicylic compounds found in aspirin and many berry fruits.


Sugar to blame again

Another factor causing hyperactivity in these children is they have difficulty with glucose metabolism, or in other words blood sugar problems. Normally, when you ingest sugar, pancreas releases insulin, which stops blood sugar from rising too high. At the same time, adrenal glands release certain hormones to keep the insulin from driving blood sugar levels too low. According to research, ADHD children release only about half the amount of these hormones as normal children. It was found that this uncontrolled drop in blood sugar significantly decreased brain activity in these children.

It was also found that the ADHD children unconsciously become physically hyperactive in an effort to force their adrenal glands to release more of these hormones (catecholamines). These children are unconsciously placing their bodies under stress trying to 'squeeze' more hormones from their already weakened adrenal glands.

As a solution, Dr. David Williams recommends avoiding sugar and high carbohydrate foods, as well as strenghtening the adrenal glands with a product called Drenamin. In some children, a thyroid imbalance may be contributing to ADD and/or ADHD. If avoiding sugar and high carbohydrate foods and taking Drenamin does not cure the problem, Dr. Williams recommends taking thyroid glandular supplement Thytrophin and the liquid iodine supplement Iosol.

Magnesium deficiency

Other considerations are different nutritional deficiencies. The majority of Americans doesn't meet the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for magnesium, including children. A deficiency of magnesium can present common psychiatric symptoms including depression, anxiety, restlessness, and irritability. Depressed patients have been found to have lower levels of magnesium. Several studies show that ADHD children are deficient in many common minerals, most often in magnesium, zinc, and iron, and that magnesium supplementation significantly decreases the hyperactivity symptoms in these children.




Why does the 'standard American diet' cause magnesium deficiency? Did you know that

99% of the magnesium in sugar cane is lost when it is refined to white sugar.
80 - 96% of magnesium content in wheat is removed when refined to white flour.
Consumption of soft drinks (pop or soda) decreases the body's absorption of magnesium.
The typical high-dairy, high fat North American diet contains almost four times as much calcium as magnesium. This unbalanced ration coupled with the high fat content tends to suppress magnesium absorption.
Further, high levels of dietary or supplementary calcium tend to suppress magnesium absorption.
Refined salt is practically void of magnesium.
So why not switch to whole wheat flour, sea salt, and use natural sweeteners like stevia, molasses, and dried fruit in place of sugar? The processed foods are one of the main causes of most any disease in the modern world!


Essential fatty acids

It has been found that many ADHD children have a deficiency of essential fatty acids (http://www.homeschoolmath.net/other_topics/fats-intelligence.php) (EFAs). This could be either because they cannot metabolize them properly, or because they cannot absorb EFAs normally from the gut, or because their EFA requirements are higher than normal.

The main omega-3 essential fat is ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), from which the body makes EPA and DHA (other omega-3 fats). DHA is very important for the brain. For the conversion from ALA to DHA the body needs adequate supply of vitamins C, B6, B3, and enough zinc and magnesium. Also, if the diet contains too much omega-6 fats in comparison to ALA (as is usually the case in western diets), then the conversion is slowed down.

The best source of ALA is flax seed and flax oil, but when adding flax to the diet, one needs to make sure that the child is not deficient in the other vitamins and minerals that are needed for the conversion to DHA. To err on the safe side, one could also eat oily fish like salmon, trout, herring, or sardines, which contain DHA (mackerel is an oily fish too, but often has high mercury levels)."

Again, I cannot vow for this information's correctness, I just thought it was a good read.


I, myself, am starting to look into suppliments to manage my ADD symptoms. I am getting to the point that Adderall, like the others - even non-stimulants, are too hard on my heart (it ups my heart rate to 110-130 in resting and makes my blood pressure go from my normal 100/60 to 135/95). Not to mention that it gives me the urge to smoke 1-2 packs in one sitting while one it.

If anyone else has found other means ... please feel free to drop me a message. Thanks.
- Ane -

These were fascinating links... thank you so much for posting them. I have nothing to add, as I'm just beginning to research this, but I'll post anything useful I find.

Right now, I'm searching for a specific diet/meal plan that incorporates the nutrients or removes the foods that have been found to affect adhd. I haven't found anything yet -- please let me know if you find anything like this.

Very interesting info. Thank you. :)

Thanks for this info. I am not on meds and I have been looking for any such info that might help me deal with my ADD, BPD, Panic attacks. so I appriciate it a lot.

Nachi

Not a problem .... :)

I don't want to have to depend on additictive medications (more so since my personality type is the kind that *is* addictive in nature - I either do it or I don't - there is no gray area for me it seems :() to function.

I will post more info, as I find it, to this thread. and I encourage you to do the same ...

thanks again.
- Ane -

Thank you for sharing that! I dont understand the "why all of a sudden so much ADD" now rather than for instance the 1800's. I hear this a lot from the natural folks (usually someone selling something) and the logic is strange, its called medical advancement!! It takes decades for a disorder to first, be recognized, then it is persecuted, then the mainstream medical finally labels it. The disorder isnt new, the diagnosis is! There is literature on Thomas Edison and others possibly having ADD. Also, the ritalin comparison to cocaine is ridiculous!! Did these people have ADD? of course they got the same high! Their brain didnt have the same lack that an ADD'ers brain does! I think the next wave will finally be an awareness that amphetamines, when used properly, are safe. Not risk free, but when compared to the possible psycological damage done by ADD, the risk can be minimal. Medicating ADD should not ever be looked down on. It is an individual decision, weighed by the effects of the meds vs. the lifestyle/emotional effects of untreated ADD. The mental disorder depression went through this same cycle untill it was finally accepted as a "real" disorder. The poor people who were epileptics 100 years ago, were sent to a priest to be excorsized! Its all about education.

Hi My name is Linda nad I have a 9 year old son who was diagnosed a year ago with ADHD. He has severe food allergies as well as asthma too and has always been a challenge. He is our fourth child of five. The others don't have any of these issues thankfully!

I was very interested in the info you posted and have seen this in action. I never would have believed diet and supplementaion could have so much to do with ADHD issues. We have been adding different supplements into our son's diet over the past year and the teachers at the school have seen a marked change in behavior and focusing ability. So much so, that the guidance couselor frequently sends parents to me if they are seeking alternative help for ADHD. I've been so glad that we haven't needed to put our son on Ritalin or another drug.

Last year I read a booklet called Attention Deficit Disorder/A Drug Free Approach Using Four Simple Strategies by Gemma Gorham. Since then we've gradually been able to implement different components of the plan. We only are using ideas from the book that apply to our son's situation. For example, one section of the book lists supplements and what they help with in the body. If our son doesn't have issues with mood swings and the supplement deals with that issue, then we don't use that for him.

We also have found a product called Stress Relief Complex that has been wonderful and we saw effects within 15 minutes of giving it to him. The other supplements I believe are more of a long term help dealing with nutritional deficiencies or the bodies inability to process certain nutrients. The Stress Relief contains theanine , ashwagandha root and tyrosine. It helps calm him down and he's not drowsy at all. He says it also helps him focus better. I've read about theanine and found that it is an amino acid found in green tea. Ever wonder why you get a buzz from the caffeine in coffee but you feel relaxed when you drink a cup of tea? There is caffeine in the tea too! The theanine counteracts the caffeine and helps release the neurotranmitters in your brain that produce the calming effect.

Anyway, sorry to ramble. I'm willing to send a copy of the 16 page booklet to anyone interested if they provide a mailing address.

Here is an outline of the booklet:
1) Identify and Treat Underlying Conditions/hypoglycemia/food allergies/Candida overgrowth
2) Optimal Nutrition/Healthy diet/Food supplements
3)Non-toxic environment/non-toxic cleaning products/environmental and chemical toxins/water and air
4) Supportive strategies/Appreciate uniqueness/special schools/counseling/self-esteem/structure, order and predictability/support groups and networking

Hope this information is helpful!

Linda

Just the info I was looking for . Thanks
Mike

I agree with a good diet as being the first thing to do when trying to fight add. Who would disagree anyway? I good diet can make wonders.

However i can only laugh when they compare Ritalin with cocaine. You know, someday people will be forbiden to exercise because it makes or brain release dopamine into the synapse. You don't want that exercise drug junkies getting their daily dosage. Think of the kids!

I believe that artificail sweeteners contribute or cause depression. (among other things.)

I read some articles a couple years ago about the myriad side effects that come with a diet that includes artificial sweeteners.

I quit ingesting them for a long time and recall my moods were more stable and positive and my health was better (general aches and pains went away ESPECIALLY).

I seem to have forgotten this experience for a time and have been drinking diet sodas for a few months as part of an effort to lose weight.
BUT
I have been feeling more and more depressed and "foggy" and even took 2 4 hour naps last weekend--for no apparent reason.

Sunday it occured to me that artificial sweeteners were the only thing I added to my diet--SO, I stopped ingesting them.

As of yesterday my mood is much brighter. I've been looking at the bright side of things that irritated the crap out of me before. Such as, I have been very irritated lately by stupid people consistently doing stupid things. I mean--the same people I run into on a regular basis in public.

Yesterday I realized how fortunate I am that I have an IQ well above average and in most things--I'm NOT stupid. I do stupid things like anyone...but I'm NOT stupid.
People who are stupid don't really have a choice in the matter. You can't go workout or take a pill or get therapy to eliminate stupidity. It's just the way they are always going to be...and I'm OK with that--for the first time ever.

I'm actually happy about stuff like that.
On the more positive (totally non-judgemental side) I realized that I'm blessed with a healthy family that leads a fairly normally life in a great community. My kids are great even when they do "annoying kid things".

Removing artificial sweeteners was the only change I've made to anything in my life before the little light switch flpped on and I realized this new outlook.

I know what you're thinking: "will it cure my ADHD?" NO, but it is one of many things that helps me get through the ADD DAY.

If anyone is looking for a diet that eliminates the possible triggers for intolerances, behavioural issues, I recommend they look at www.fedupwithfoodadditives.info/ (http://www.fedupwithfoodadditives.info/)
Sue Dengate is well known in Australia for her work with food intolerances. She has written a number of books, one of them is called Fed Up With ADHD. She promotes the FAILSAFE diet. There is an incredible amount of info on the site. She has recently done a research study in a primary school where all of the children were put on the diet for 2 weeks at school and all the parents were educated to continue it at home. The behaviour of the children improved dramatically whether they had diagnosed conditions or not. Even the children commented on how much better the could concentrate.

Actually I'm glad that you posted that. People need to be made more aware of the bogus treatments being pandered on the internet.

Here is the thing. While a good diet is important to health Mr Dye is full of misinformation. Mr Dye is a "naturopathic physician" It is likely that he is not an MD at all.

Go to http://www.quackwatch.org and read up on Naturopathy

You might want to start with this link: http://quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Naturopathy/naturopathy.html


Me :D

Speedo, I do very much value your position as a moderator here,as well as your comments as a poster, and would like to address your thoughts and opinions regarding CAMS in general as bogus and quackery, and this is as good a place as any since these are addressed by the OP.

In my searching for CAMs (complimentary alternative medicine) it has been my experience in sharing with others that some of these therapies and treatments do assist many individuals greatly in many ways, if only to take the edges off, particularly when someone is not able to or chooses not to take medications.

John Dye, ND, is a staff physician at the Southwest College of Natruopathic Medicine, an accredited medical institute. He does not have a medical degree, he has a naturopathic degree. (Many NDs do also have an additional medical degree, but not all.) Here is a link to the college's website and staff information:

http://www.scnm.edu/medcenter/physicians.php

Also from the college website some general questions regarding NDs and NMDs from their FAQ section:

How are naturopathic and conventional physicians alike?
Naturopathic and allopathic (conventional) physicians are both required to study the biomedical sciences at a four-year accredited graduate medical school. Included in this rigorous curriculum are biomedical sciences such as anatomy, physiology, neurology, biochemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, cardiology, minor surgery, and others. Both kinds of physicians can diagnose a disease, predict its course, and prescribe treatment.

Do we accept insurance?
Many insurance carriers cover naturopathic medicine in the U.S. and Canada. However, there are still many limitations as to what therapies are covered. Since naturopathic physicians use alternatives to costly techniques and drug therapies, more insurance companies are beginning to investigate expanding coverage of this cost-effective healing method.

How are naturopathic physicians educated?
After completing a standard premedical undergraduate curriculum, aspiring naturopathic physicians enter into a four-year medical program. The first two years of naturopathic medical school consist of education in the basic biomedical sciences similar to that of conventional medical school. The second two years emphasize clinical education in natural therapeutics. Upon successful completion of the four-year program, graduates receive the degree of Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine.

How are ND’s regulated?
In states that license naturopathic physicians, including Arizona, the profession is regulated. In these states, naturopathic physicians must pass either national or state board examinations and must have received an education from an accredited four-year, graduate level, naturopathic medical school. Their actions are subject to review by a state board of examiners to ensure protection of the patients.

Southwest Naturopathic Medical Center is governed by the State of Arizona Naturopathic Physicians Board of Medical Examiners www.npbomex.az.gov (http://www.npbomex.az.gov/). The primary duty of the Board is to protect the public through the regulation of the practice of naturopathic medicine. The Board Accomplishes Its Mission by administering and enforcing laws and rules relating to naturopathic physicians, receiving and responding to complaints, certifying physicians as specialists, certifying physicians who dispense, approves and certifies medical assistants, approves educational and training programs for physicians and interns.


Here is some additional facts regarding naturopathy:

http://www.healthy.net/asp/templates/article.asp?PageType=Article&ID=508

DID YOU KNOW THAT:



In 1983 the World Health Organization recommended the integration of naturopathic medicine into conventional health care systems.2
In 1994 Bastyr University of Natural Health Sciences, a naturopathic medical school, was awarded almost $1 million in research funds from the National Institutes of Health's Office of Alternative Medicine to research alternative therapies for patients with HIV and AIDS.3
Graduates of accredited naturopathic medical colleges are required to have more hours of study in basic sciences and clinical sciences than graduates of Yale or Stanford medical schools.4
The "anti-cancer" diet recognized by the National Cancer Institute was first published in a naturopathic medical textbook in the 1940s.5
Graduates of accredited naturopathic medical colleges receive more formal training in therapeutic nutrition than M.D.'s, osteopathic physicians, or registered dietitians.6
The government of Germany now requires conventional doctors and pharmacists to receive training in naturopathic techniques because they have been found to be so cost-effective.7
Today there are over one thousand licensed practicing naturopathic physicians (N.D.'s) in the United States.8
As of August 1996, twelve states in the U.S. and five provinces of Canada now license naturopathic doctors as primary-care physicians. (It is projected that all fifty states will license naturopathic physicians by the year 2010.)9
Three accredited colleges educate and train naturopathic doctors in North America.10
The County Council in Seattle, Washington, established the nation's first government-subsidized naturopathic medical clinic.11

The link I posted above says it all. http://quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Naturopathy/naturopathy.html

If It is not based on good medical and scientific practice It's not something that I'd care to try to qualify. There are just too many scams. In general naturopathy offers sound dietary advice, and little else. It's not really medicine at all. Supporting it as an alternative to modern medicine is not only wrong but dangerous. Using it to supplement good medical practice seems harmless enough, but the benefit is questionable as there is no support for naturopathy in fact.

Let me apply a metaphor here... Suppose I have a duck, and I really dislike the fact that it is a duck. I'd rather it were a cat. I can paint the duck to look sort of like a cat, and maybe if I used enough imagination I could dress the duck to look like a cat, but that does not change the fact that it is a duck.

The fact is that naturopathy doesn't really do much. No matter how you paint it, it still lacks a basis in medical and scientific fact.


Me :D

It is true that many people, myself included believe that diet has an effect on our behaviours ADHD or no ADHD. It may be that those with ADHD are more susceptable to particular dietary regimes and chemical compounds.

However given the fact that ADHD has only recently been generating research activity it is hardly surprising that in this complex area scientific evidence is often based on small scale studies and is subject to issues with confounding statistical influences.

(Confounding, for those not of statistical nature is a particular term in statistics used to describe when an experimental design may not be capable of proving the hypothesis being tested as the result could be due to a different factor not isolated in the experiment. Experiments undertaken by researchers who do not understand this basic concept should be treated with scepticism.)

Unfortunately the Alternative Health sector repeatedly make claims not backed up by replicateable, statistically valid peer reviewed experiments. Given the fact that many other treatments are able to produce statistically valid experiments to prove similar hypotheses for similar therapies and given the high level of interest in the efficacy of alternative medicines I find this rather surprising.

Having done statistics at University and been involved in undertaking peer reviewed research I am saddened by the continual lack of understanding of the basics of statistical theory in people putting forward claims for alternative treatments and those accepting these claims who should know better.

As far as I am concerened many alternative therapies may indeed be very effective however until REPLICATEABLE, double blind, statistically sound peer reviewed evidence is produced then the treatment should be regarded as UNPROVEN.

I am particularly concerned at the mention in this thread that US and Canadian Insurance companies may be funding unproven therapies BECAUSE THEY ARE CHEAPER than proven mainstream therapies. Across Western cultures at present there appears to be a weakening of belief in science and the general acceptance of the efficacy of alternative therapies without proof is an example of that. I find the possibility that healthcare providers could move towards encourage patients to undertake unproven treatments on the basis of their reduced cost worrying.

In science if you think something may be the case, you design an experiment to prove or disprove it and both results are equally valid in adding to the total of human knowledge....you put your money where your mouth is. Alternative therapies often appear extremely unwilling to submit to such rigourous testing, and before people say "but it costs too much"...yes it may do to put a new drug through full testing but it does not cost much to undertake a postgrad level simple and robust experiment on a treatment already in use that can give sound publishable evidence.....I know this because I have done it.

/soapbox

kilt

From Wiki:

"David Hufford, who is a Professor at the Penn State College of Medicine, wrote an opinion piece in which he asserts that Stephen Barrett's Quackwatch would be more effective if he relied more on research and less on personal beliefs."

Stephen Barrett has a wagonload of problems of his own, including being a de-licensed psychiatrist, lack of board certification credentials, being an unsuccessfull medical practitioner himself, loosing numerous court cases for his quackery claims, and owing millions in court and legal fees.

Doing a search brings up a lot of information that expose the questionable nature of this man's integrity and qualificaitons to state the claims that he has made on his website.

http://www.americanchiropractic.net/chiropractic/Quack%20Buster%20busted%20-%20Dr%20S%20Barrett.pdf

http://northamericanconsumersagainsthealthfraud.org/cgi-bin/mojo.cgi?flavor=archive;list=one;id=20031024062632

I like to know about it all because although I am a medication person, having those facts will make that treatment better

The net is a seething morass of information, some good, some mediocre, some from the brains of fluffy bunnies. The only way to find a "fact" is to find the original research.

Time and time again when one does this one discovers the original, the usually limited, result has been stretched is far beyond is original scope and is being touted as "proof" of a whole concept rather than the grain of sand in the concrete wall of knowledge that it is.

This is not usually through malicious intent, more usually it's through ignorance or over zealousness of the secondary source who may well not be sufficiently educated in the limitations of the science used.

Those who make media careers out of alternative therapy punditry have to be treated rather more sceptically as there is usually a large ego lurking somewhere in the vicinity.

When confronted by claims of the efficacy of a treatment the automatic response needs to be "show me the evidence" and this should be published in one of the thousands of peer reviewed journals clamouring for articles to fill their pages. The more prestigious the publication the more likely it is that the research has been thoroughly reviewed and its limitations made clear in the text.

There are of course limitations. A double blind replicateable and statistically valid experiment on the efficacy of parachutes in limiting injury when used above 10,000ft is not likely to be found in any journal however a literature review paper published in an august periodical been sufficient to convince governments to fit them to warplanes at some point in the past.

If for example there was a double blind statistically sound trial published in Nature proving beyond reasonable doubt that homeopathy was as effective as a conventional drug treatment in treating an illness I am sure that the information would flash round the Europe and America pretty d**n quickly and Homeopathy would receive a considerable boost. Strangely enough this has not happened.....probably because the difference between the homeopathic results and the placebo effect would be insufficient to prove the hypothesis within usual statistical limits.

Likewise many "therapies" involving warm rooms soft music, one to one communication, laying on of hands and general "relaxation" produce beneficial results, not because of the healing properties of the quartz crystal placed on your navel but because you are being "cared for" on a one to one basis in a relaxing environment. This is the reason that many of these "therapies" and their underlying techniques should be being used in our clinical establishments.

That is why the use of the phrase "complimentary" is probably better than "alternative".

Where diet is involved things are very tricky as the statistical confounding issues are almost impossible to overcome however through journalling it should be possible to produce verifiable and replicateable results. Given the issues involved I am very surprised that the ad-hoc dietary experiments done in schools by interested and concerned teachers and pupils in the UK that appear to produce startling results have not been undertaken in a more statistically sound manner and therefore been able to bring increasing pressure to bear on the educational establishment that there is a link between good nutrition and good mental health.

I would be most interested if this type of research has been undertaken in the US and published.

yours in a ranty mood

kilt

Oh, ranty Kilt. :-)

Many folks come on board here and look at the CAMs sections. Not all of them are well-versed in science protocol, yet some are. Inquisitive persons know how to find the literature of the science alright on their own if they need to. Many of the CAMs have not been proven, yet that does not mean that they are not helpful to some, in the same way that allopathy, though evidence-based, still fails many patients.

So, people come to the forums and the boards purely to find the anecdotes, and go beyond what the literature says. "Has anyone tried [ ] and what was YOUR experience with it."

Some of the therapies and treatments on sites such as quackwatch I have participated in and done, and had life-changing results from (years beyond any lingering placebo effects). Though they may not be proven, they have been proven to me. I have also had countless allopathic physicians talk with me regarding CAMs in their practice that they use daily. Perhaps the funniest account was my dermatologist. I have an ugly toenail due to a fungal infection. Medical treatments for that are costly, hard on the liver, and not often permanent. She shared with me an anecdote that a couple of her patients had reported using Vick's Vaporub on their toes was quite effective for solving that problem. Go figure. :-)

Hi Frazzle

Yeah...feeling a bit raaaaaar tonight.

I actually believe that many complementary therapies have a significant part to play in promoting health and wellbeing. I just a bit annoyed that there seem to be so many egotistical pseudo-scientists making sweeping pronouncements and generally rubbing the scientific and medical community the wrong way, thereby doing the complimentary medical sector a profound disservice.

If it works, it works and can almost certainly be proved effective to the scientific community. If it doesn't then move along.

Being of scientific bent I also know how badly conventional statistical modelling copes with issues involving a combination of factors, a fact that allowed the tobacco industry to prevaricate over admitting the appalling health impacts of smoking.

I do long for the complementary therapy sector to embrace science and the magazines of various complementary therapy "regulatory" organisations my partner receives to begin including articles on positive results of statistically sound trials of their respective therapies.

You will note that I have put quotes round the word regulatory. From my experience many complementary therapy organisations are more focussed on collecting members, subscriptions and training course fees than acting an a manner designed to lift the status and standing of their therapy in the hard nosed world of medical academia.

My partner now has a string of "qualifications" for a variety of therapies, all most enjoyable to receive. The "Reiki Master" being one of the most amusing, the accolade received after a short weekend course. It is sad to note that amongst my partners clients these pseudo qualifications appear to bear more weight that her rigourously monitored nursing qualification and long experience at the conventional health front line.

Raaaar

kilt

Thanks for sharing;)

I often think back in time; many, many years ago we (as a society) did not use all of these additives and preservatives in our food.

Athough, these ingredients are helpful for our busy lifestyles and for convience. When you step back and analyze what you eat and medical conditions you currently have......you can't help but wonder:confused: What is this doing to my body?

Since "cleaning up my diet" for DS as well; we naturally feel better. I always say "when I eat clean I feel clean" "when I eat the cr*p in food, I feel like cr*p".

It is so easy to fall back into old habits/patterns. With supplements and diet (along with medication if needed) we feel so much better and healthy.

I totally agree and will refer to this article often for assistance.

Thanks!
Kim:)

Stephen Barrett has a wagonload of problems of his own, including being a de-licensed psychiatrist, lack of board certification credentials, being an unsuccessfull medical practitioner himself, loosing numerous court cases for his quackery claims, and owing millions in court and legal fees.Wow! And the source of this information is? According to this link provided by Dr. Barrett, The Pennsylvania Board of Medicine now classifies my license as "Active – Retired (http://www.licensepa.state.pa.us/publicinfo.asp?sid=268928087&record=0&facility=False&l_person_id=528406&l_profession_id=1700&l_license_id=528406&Last_Name=Barrett&First_Name=Stephen&License_number=&Facility_Name=&DBA_Name=)

Doing a search brings up a lot of information that expose the questionable nature of this man's integrity and qualificaitons to state the claims that he has made on his website.A search also found this information on wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Barrett

Imagine that! , and the statre of Pa also says he is in good standing.

Thank you imnapl :)

ME :D

From Wiki:

"David Hufford, who is a Professor at the Penn State College of Medicine, wrote an opinion piece in which he asserts that Stephen Barrett's Quackwatch would be more effective if he relied more on research and less on personal beliefs."This would be like relying on anecdotal evidence from customers of a therapy or product.

more like relying on the ,manufacturer as the sole sourece if informaton as to the suitability of their product. In the real world its not done like that. You need some kind of compelling, checkuppable proof to back up claims.

Me :D

Mayo Clinic in Arizona/Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program has staff members who have expertise in and use in their medical practices there: mind-body stress reduction, meditation, accupuncture, herbal and Chinese medicine, Reiki, massage, naturopathic medicine, alternative diets, nutrition, mind-body therapies, cranio-sacral therapy, myofascial release, yoga, and CAM research.

What is Complementary and Alternative Medicine? Integrative Medicine?

Complementary and alternative medicine is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine. While some scientific evidence exists regarding some CAM therapies, for most there are key questions that are yet to be answered through well-designed scientific studies -- questions such as whether these therapies are safe and whether they work for the diseases or medical conditions for which they are used ... The list of what is considered to be CAM changes continually, as those therapies that are proven to be safe and effective become adopted into conventional health care and as new approaches to health care emerge.
NIH NCCAM (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
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Complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine. An example of a complementary therapy is using aromatherapy to help lessen a patient's discomfort following surgery.<O:p></O:p>

Alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine. An example of an alternative therapy is using a special diet to treat cancer instead of undergoing surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy that has been recommended by a conventional doctor.<O:p></O:p>

Integrative medicine is the practice of medicine that reaffirms the importance of the relationship between practitioner and patient, focuses on the whole person, is informed by evidence, and makes use of all appropriate therapeutic approaches, healthcare professionals and disciplines to achieve optimal health and healing.
Developed and adapted by the Consortium of Academic Health Centers for Integrative Medicine, May 2004; edited May 2005.

The NIH National Center for Complementary Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) classifies CAM therapies into five categories: ( http://nccam.nih.gov/health/ (http://nccam.nih.gov/health/))<O:p></O:p>

Alternative Medical Systems
Alternative medical systems are built upon complete systems of theory and practice. Often, these systems have evolved apart from and earlier than the conventional medical approach used in the United States. Examples of alternative medical systems that have developed in Western cultures include homeopathic medicine and naturopathic medicine. Examples of systems that have developed in non-Western cultures include traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda.
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Mind-Body Interventions
Mind-body medicine uses a variety of techniques designed to enhance the mind's capacity to affect bodily function and symptoms. Some techniques that were considered CAM in the past have become mainstream (for example, patient support groups and cognitive-behavioral therapy). Other mind-body techniques are still considered CAM, including meditation, prayer, mental healing, and therapies that use creative outlets such as art, music, or dance.
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Biologically Based Therapies
Biologically based therapies in CAM use substances found in nature, such as herbs, foods, and vitamins. Some examples include dietary supplements, herbal products, and the use of other so-called "natural" but as yet scientifically unproven therapies (for example, using shark cartilage to treat cancer).
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Manipulative and Body-Based Methods
Manipulative and body-based methods in CAM are based on manipulation and/or movement of one or more parts of the body. Some examples include chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation, and massage.
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Energy Therapies
Energy therapies involve the use of energy fields. They are of two types:
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Biofield therapies are intended to affect energy fields that purportedly surround and penetrate the human body. The existence of such fields has not yet been scientifically proven. Some forms of energy therapy manipulate biofields by applying pressure and/or manipulating the body by placing the hands in, or through, these fields. Examples include Qi gong, Reiki, and Therapeutic Touch.
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Bioelectromagnetic-based therapies involve the unconventional use of electromagnetic fields, such as pulsed fields, magnetic fields, or alternating current or direct current fields.

Mayo Clinic in Arizona also currently has several staff members involved in various research projects concerning CAM therapies.

This may have already been posted somewhere, but there was an excellent article in Time in September about an English study on the affects of Sodium Benzoate.

Linky: Hyper Kids? Cut Out Preservatives (http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1659835,00.html?imw=Y)

While I certainly don't think it is a cure-all, this is very exciting news, and I would like to see the study replicated.

It was also published in Psychiatry Online: Hyperactivity in Children Linked to Food Coloring (http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/42/21/19)

An important note quoted from the end of the second article:

Both Wadge and Jim Stevenson, Ph.D., senior author of the studyand a professor at Southampton University, both acknowledgedthat many other factors contribute to ADHD and simply eliminatingartificial food colors and sodium benzoate will not necessarilyprevent hyperactivitiy disorders.