Article on the Rise of ADHD

[ccom5100]

WARNING: There is a great deal of controversial material in this article, but it also contains some good advice.

What’s Causing the Rise in ADHD?
By Dr. Mercola
According to a 2010 US government survey, 1 in 10 American children now has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)—a 22 percent increase from 2003.
ADHD makes it hard for children to pay attention and control impulsive behavior, and an increasing number of older children, including high school students, are now being labeled as having ADHD. Adult ADHD is also becoming more prevalent.
As reported by the Las Vegas Guardian Express, nearly 11 percent of American kids are labeled with the disorder. More than twice as many boys are diagnosed with ADHD than girls—one in five, compared to one in 11. The featured article speculates about the cause behind these rising numbers.
Some experts feel the increase could be due to increased awareness and better diagnosis, but I think you’ll find it interesting that this trend also coincides with increased prevalence of the pervasive weed killer, glyphosate, in the American food supply.
There’s also plenty of room for overdiagnosis. In fact, an ADHD diagnosis is often made on the subjective observations of teachers or guardians, based on signs that nearly every child will display at some point. Aggravating factors, such as diet or home environment, are oftentimes overlooked entirely.
The featured article actually points out some interesting correlations between ADHD diagnoses and changes to the American educational system that might help explain how, if not why, so many children are misdiagnosed or flat out falsely diagnosed.
What Is ADHD?

But before we get into potential causes for the uptick in prevalence, let’s review how ADHD is qualified in the first place. The disorder involves a cluster of symptoms that includes inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behaviors.
Often, children with ADHD struggle in school and have difficulty managing interpersonal relationships. They also tend to suffer from low self-esteem. The similar term attention deficit disorder (ADD) has largely been replaced with ADHD, as it describes two of the most common symptoms of the condition, inattention, and hyperactive-impulsive behavior.
Diagnosing ADHD really comes down to a matter of opinion, as there is no physical test, like a brain scan, that can pinpoint the condition. This could change, however. According to a recent study, a newer MRI method called magnetic field correlation imaging that can detect low iron levels in the brains of children with ADHD could potentially help parents and patients make better informed decisions about treatment. As reported by Medicine.net:
“Psychostimulant drugs used to treat ADHD affect levels of the brain chemical dopamine. Because iron is required to process dopamine, using MRI to assess iron levels in the brain may provide a noninvasive, indirect measure of the chemical, explained study author Vitria Adisetiyo... If these findings are confirmed in larger studies, this technique might help improve ADHD diagnosis and treatment...
The [magnetic field correlation imaging] scans revealed that the 12 ADHD patients who'd never been treated with psychostimulant drugs such as Ritalin had lower brain iron levels than those who'd received the drugs and those in the control group. The lower iron levels in the ADHD patients who'd never taken stimulant drugs appeared to normalize after they took the medicines.”
At present, diagnosis is dependent on subjective evaluation, and, for better or worse, teachers can play a significant role in this evaluation. Most children with ADHD will display a combination of inattention and hyperactive-impulsive behavior, along with the following symptoms:

Frequent fidgeting or squirming
Difficulty playing quietly
Always seems on the go
Restlessness
Excessive talking and interrupting others
Difficulty waiting his or her turn
Frequent daydreaming
Frequently has problems organizing tasks or activities
Difficulty following through on instructions and apparently not listening

Many of these “symptoms” could describe virtually any child, or most children, on any given day. Hence, those who display these symptoms at school but not at home or with friends are not considered to have ADHD. Ditto for children who display symptoms at home but not at school.

Only children who struggle with inattention and hyperactive or impulsive behaviors around the clock are deemed to have ADHD—or at least they should be. According to a 2010 study, an estimated 20 percent of children are misdiagnosed with ADHD.
According to some, the disorder may not even be a “real” disorder at all. Psychiatrist Leon Eisenberg, hailed as the “scientific father of ADHD,” actually went on record saying that ADHD is “a prime example of a fictitious disease.” He made this stunning confession in a 2012 interview with the German paper Der Spiegel, just seven months prior to his death6 at the age of 87.
How the American School System May Be Promoting ADHD Diagnoses

At least part of the rise in prevalence could be attributed to inappropriate diagnosis. As reported in the featured article, there’s an interesting correlation between the rise in ADHD diagnoses and the implementation of the US Elementary and Secondary Education Act known as “No Child Left Behind” (NCLB). The program was implemented nationwide in 2002.
The NCLB standardized teaching methods across the US which, contrary to what the name implies, does leave a lot of kids “behind,” in the sense that brighter children frequently end up bored and discouraged from lack of academic challenge. And bored, discouraged children will oftentimes “act out.”
“Now with the implementation of CORE standards, who some describe as NCLB on steroids, there is a chance the ADHD numbers may climb even more,” the article predicts.7
But there’s more to this story...
“Another study, published by the Child Mind Institute, states there might be another incentive behind the rise, and that is the financial benefit to schools. Many schools, especially those where the tax base is much poorer... rely heavily on federal funding to operate.
Long before NCLB was enacted, many of these districts had already enacted ‘consequential accountability statutes,’” which penalized a school when children failed; however, often scores for children diagnosed with ADHD are not counted... thereby helping to ensure the passing test scores of the class as a whole.
Geographically speaking, children in the South are diagnosed far more often with ADHD than children living in Western states by a rate of nearly 63 percent. North Carolina, one of the first states to implement consequential accountability statutes, stands at a ADHD diagnosis rate of over 16 percent; California, one of the last states to implement these policies, ranks at only 6.2 percent. The difference is staggering.”
Raising a Generation of Drug Users

About two-thirds of the children diagnosed with ADHD are on some form of prescription medication, and oftentimes the side effects are far worse than the condition itself. These drugs actually rival illegal street drugs in terms of their dangerous risks to health, which include:

Permanent brain damage
Cardio toxicity and liver damage
Cancer
Changes in personality, depression, and/or hallucinations
Heart attack and stroke
Sudden death and suicide

Sadly, tens of thousands of American kids are now prescribed dangerous antipsychotic drugs before the age of five—some even before reaching 12 months of age, hard as that is to imagine. Children in the Medicaid system are at greatest risk for overdiagnosis. Data shows they’re prescribed antipsychotic medications four times more often compared to those with private insurance.
The price we pay as a society for drugging our children out of objectionable behavior patterns is steep. In children, the long-term effects of drugs are typically largely unknown, while in the short term, we’ve seen shocking increases in violent and aggressive acts committed by teens taking one or more psychotropic drugs.
These children are also likely to experience health problems as they mature into adulthood. Just look at what happens to street junkies through time, and then consider that Ritalin has a more potent effect on your brain than cocaine... Being raised firmly within the drug paradigm from an early age may also make them more likely to opt for drug treatment for other ailments rather than exploring other options.
What Causes Behavioral Difficulties?

Behavioral problems clearly do exist, and do appear to be more prevalent than in decades past, with or without the ADHD label. The question on everyone’s mind is what’s causing it? The cause of ADHD remains elusive, although there are many contending culprits, including poor nutrition and environmental toxins ranging from food- and vaccine additives to agricultural chemicals.
For example, a 2006 study found that a mother's use of cigarettes, alcohol, or other drugs during pregnancy could increase the risk for ADHD. The study also suggested that exposure to lead and/or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) can cause ADHD symptoms. Pesticide exposure has also been linked with ADHD.
Unfortunately, few are focusing on basic nutrition, which I believe is a key factor. We know that the food choices of most children and adults today are incredibly poor, and how can you possibly expect a child to have normal behavior if he is fed refined grains, sugars, and processed foods loaded with chemicals and largely devoid of natural nutrients?
Five Dietary Factors to Address if Your Child Has ADHD

Five dietary factors of particular concern are the following. If your child struggles with behavioral difficulties, whether he or she has been diagnosed with ADHD or not, I strongly recommend addressing all of these factors:

• Too much sugar. High sugar content and starchy carbohydrates lead to excessive insulin release, which can lead to falling blood sugar levels, or hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia, in turn, causes your brain to secrete glutamate in levels that can cause agitation, depression, anger, anxiety, and panic attacks.

Besides that, sugar promotes chronic inflammation in your body, and many studies have demonstrated the connection between a high-sugar diet and worsened mental health.

• Gluten sensitivity. The evidence suggesting that gluten sensitivity may be at the root of a number of neurological and psychiatric conditions, including ADHD, is quite compelling. According to a 2011 study celiac disease is “markedly overrepresented among patients presenting with ADHD,” and a gluten-free diet has been shown to significantly improve behavior in kids. The study went so far as to suggest celiac disease should be added to the ADHD symptom checklist.
• Too few beneficial bacteria. As explained by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, a medical doctor with a postgraduate degree in neurology, toxicity in your gut can flow throughout your body and into your brain, where it can cause symptoms of autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, depression, schizophrenia, and other mental disorders. Reducing gut inflammation is imperative when addressing mental health issues, so optimizing your child’s gut flora is a critical step. To learn more, please see my previous article, “Are Probiotics the New Prozac?”
• Animal-sourced omega-3 deficiency. Research has shown that kids low in omega-3 fats are significantly more likely to be hyperactive, struggle with learning disorders, and display behavioral problems. Omega-3 deficiencies have also been tied to dyslexia, violence, and depression. A clinical study published in 2007 examined the effects of krill oil on adults diagnosed with ADHD. In that study, patients improved their ability to concentrate by an average of over 60 percent after taking a daily 500mg dose of krill oil for six months. They also reported a 50 percent improvement in planning skills, and close to 49 percent improvement in social skills.
• Food additives and GMO ingredients. A number of food additives are thought to worsen ADHD, and many have subsequently been banned in Europe. Potential culprits to avoid include Blue #1 and #2 food coloring; Green #3; Orange B; Red #3 and #40; Yellow #5 and #6; and sodium benzoate, a preservative.

Recent research also shows that glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide, used in large quantities on genetically engineered Roundup Ready crops, limits your body’s ability to detoxify foreign chemical compounds. As a result, the damaging effects of those chemicals and environmental toxins are magnified, and may result in a wide variety of diseases, including brain disorders that can affect behavior.
The Hidden Health Hazards of Glyphosate and GMOs

Glyphosate-contaminated food has recently been implicated in the dramatic rise of both ADHD and autism, the latter of which is clearly more extreme in terms of behavioral difficulties. Still, both problems appear to be rooted to some degree in abnormal gut flora, and this is where glyphosate begins its path of destruction. How severe the effect might be in any given person will likely depend on a wide variety of individual factors, including the mother’s gut health during and at the time of giving birth.
Former US Navy staff scientist Dr. Nancy Swanson has meticulously collected statistics on glyphosate usage and various diseases and conditions, including autism. A more perfect match-up between the rise in glyphosate usage and incidence of autism, is hard to imagine. To access her published articles and reports, please visit Sustainable Pulse a European Website dedicated to exposing the hazards of genetically engineered foods.

According to Dr. Swanson:
“Prevalence and incidence data show correlations between diseases of the organs and the increase in Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in the food supply, along with the increase in glyphosate-based herbicide applications. More and more studies have revealed carcinogenic and endocrine disrupting effects of Roundup at lower doses than those authorized for residues found in Genetically Modified Organisms... The endocrine disrupting properties also lead to neurological disorders (learning disabilities (LD), attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), autism, dementia, Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder). Those most susceptible are children and the elderly.”
How to Optimize Your Child’s Gut Flora

The two key problems caused by glyphosate in the diet are nutritional deficiencies and systemic toxicity, and your gut bacteria are a key component of glyphosate’s mechanism of harm. Effectively addressing this problem requires a two-pronged approach. First you need to avoid the primary sources of glyphosate, which more or less makes it imperative to avoid processed foods. Secondly, you need to address the damage already done. To reseed your child’s gut with the healthy bacteria (probiotics) necessary for optimal physical, mental, and emotional health, I recommend the following strategies:

• Avoid processed, refined foods as they promote the growth of pathogenic bacteria, yeast and fungus in the gut. Most processed foods are also high in sugar and fructose, grains (gluten), artificial additives, and genetically engineered ingredients (which tend to be more heavily contaminated with glyphosate)—all the top items that tend to aggravate ADHD symptoms. Also replace sweetened beverages (whether diet and regular), including fruit juices and pasteurized milk, with pure non-fluoridated water.
• Eat traditionally fermented, unpasteurized foods: Fermented foods are one of the best routes to optimal digestive health, as long as you eat the traditionally made, unpasteurized versions. Some of the beneficial bacteria found in fermented foods are also excellent chelators of heavy metals and pesticides, which will also have a beneficial health effect by reducing your toxic load. Fermented vegetables are perhaps among the most palatable fermented foods. Many kids will also get used to fermented dairy products like kefir.
• Use a high-quality probiotic supplement. If you cannot get your child to eat fermented foods on a regular basis, a high-quality probiotic supplement may be highly beneficial in correcting abnormal gut flora that contribute to brain dysfunction.

Additional Strategies to Relieve ADHD Symptoms

Besides addressing your child’s nutrition, as described in the two sections above, I also recommend implementing the following strategies:

• Clear your house of dangerous pesticides and other commercial chemicals.
• Avoid commercial washing detergents and cleaning products used on clothes, and replace them with naturally derived cleaning products free of added perfumes, softeners, etc.
• Spend more time in nature. Researchers have found that exposing ADHD children to nature is an affordable, healthy way of controlling symptoms.
• Investigate sensory therapy and emotional wellness tools. Instead of looking for a quick fix, encourage ADHD sufferers to talk, and find out what emotions are causing issues. You may also want to consider energy psychology tools such as the Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) to improve emotional coping and healing.

[Amtram]

All of the factors that Mercola mentions have been tested in well-designed studies and found to have little or no effect on ADHD symptoms in people who meet diagnostic criteria for ADHD.

And since this is a quote, not a link, what's not seen is what products of his own Mercola is attempting to sell in conjunction with this information. The purpose of his site is not to provide information, but to provide information that will encourage people to purchase his merchandise.

[addthree]

I get out in nature a lot, sadly it does nothing for my symptoms.

[ginniebean]

Natural Alternatives are worth investigating.

And so are the charlatans who peddle them.

FDA Warnings

In 2005, the FDA ordered Mercola and his Optimal Wellness Center to stop making illegal claims for products sold through his Web site [13]. The claims to which the FDA objected involved three products:

Living Fuel Rx, claimed to offer an "exceptional countermeasure" against cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, etc.
Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil, claimed to reduce the risk of heart disease and has beneficial effects against Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and many infectious agents
Chlorella, claimed to fight cancer and normalize blood pressure.
In 2006, the FDA sent Mercola and his center a second warning that was based on product labels collected during an inspection at his facility and on claims made on the Optimum Wellness Center Web site [14]. This time the claims to which the FDA objected involve four products:

Vibrant Health Research Chlorella XP, claimed to "help to virtually eliminate your risk of developing cancer in the future."
Fresh Shores Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, claimed to reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, and degenerative diseases.
Momentum Health Products Vitamin K2, possibly useful in treating certain kinds of cancer and Alzheimer's disease.
Momentum Health Products Cardio Essentials Nattokinase NSK-SD, claimed to be "a much safer and effective option than aspirin and other pharmaceutical agents to treating heart disease."
The warning letters explained that the use of such claims in the marketing of these products violates the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act, which bans unapproved claims for products that are intended for curing, mitigating, treating, or preventing of diseases. (Intended use can be established through product labels, catalogs, brochures, tapes, Web sites, or other circumstances surrounding the distribution of the product.)

In 2011, the FDA ordered Mercola to stop making claims for thermography that go beyond what the equipment he uses (Medtherm2000 infrared camera) was cleared for. The warning letter said that statements on Mercola's site improperly imply that the Meditherm camera can be used alone to diagnose or screen for various diseases or conditions associated with the breast, they also represent that the sensitivity of the Meditherm Med2000 Telethermographic camera is greater than that of machines used in mammography. The statements to which the FDA objected included:

"Revolutionary and Safe Diagnostic Tool Detects Hidden Inflammation: Thermography"
"The Newest Safe Cancer Screening Tool"
"[b]ecause measuring inflammation through thermal imaging is a proactive, preventative method you can use for detecting disease, which significantly improves your chances for longevity and good health."
Additionally, thermograms provide: "Reliable and accurate information for diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis…"
"Yes, it's true. Thermograms provide you with early diagnosis and treatment assistance in such problems as cancer, inflammatory processes, neurological and vascular dysfunction, and musculoskeletal injury."
Thermography can benefit patients by detecting conditions including: Arthritis: "[d]ifferentiate between osteoarthritis and more severe forms like rheumatoid." Immune Dysfunction, Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue, "Digestive Disorders: Irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, and Crohn's disease…" and "Other Conditions: including bursitis, herniated discs, ligament or muscle tear, lupus, nerve problems, whiplash, stroke screening, cancer and many, many others." [15]
In 2011, the Chicago Tribune reported that Mercola had not complied with the FDA's order and intended to "fight the FDA . . . if they decide to take it further." [16]

[ccom5100]

As I pointed out in the WARNING in my original post:
There is a GREAT DEAL OF CONTROVERSIAL MATERIAL in this article, but it ALSO CONTAINS SOME GOOD TIPS!

I know Mercola is over the top. I'm not a fan of his. However, there is some good sound advice in the article, such as:

Five dietary factors of particular concern are the following. If your child struggles with behavioral difficulties, whether he or she has been diagnosed with ADHD or not, I strongly recommend addressing all of these factors:

• Too much sugar. High sugar content and starchy carbohydrates lead to excessive insulin release, which can lead to falling blood sugar levels, or hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia, in turn, causes your brain to secrete glutamate in levels that can cause agitation, depression, anger, anxiety, and panic attacks.

Besides that, sugar promotes chronic inflammation in your body, and many studies have demonstrated the connection between a high-sugar diet and worsened mental health.

• Gluten sensitivity. The evidence suggesting that gluten sensitivity may be at the root of a number of neurological and psychiatric conditions, including ADHD, is quite compelling. According to a 2011 study celiac disease is “markedly overrepresented among patients presenting with ADHD,” and a gluten-free diet has been shown to significantly improve behavior in kids. The study went so far as to suggest celiac disease should be added to the ADHD symptom checklist.
• Too few beneficial bacteria. As explained by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, a medical doctor with a postgraduate degree in neurology, toxicity in your gut can flow throughout your body and into your brain, where it can cause symptoms of autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, depression, schizophrenia, and other mental disorders. Reducing gut inflammation is imperative when addressing mental health issues, so optimizing your child’s gut flora is a critical step. To learn more, please see my previous article, “Are Probiotics the New Prozac?”
• Animal-sourced omega-3 deficiency. Research has shown that kids low in omega-3 fats are significantly more likely to be hyperactive, struggle with learning disorders, and display behavioral problems. Omega-3 deficiencies have also been tied to dyslexia, violence, and depression. A clinical study published in 2007 examined the effects of krill oil on adults diagnosed with ADHD. In that study, patients improved their ability to concentrate by an average of over 60 percent after taking a daily 500mg dose of krill oil for six months. They also reported a 50 percent improvement in planning skills, and close to 49 percent improvement in social skills.
• Food additives and GMO ingredients. A number of food additives are thought to worsen ADHD, and many have subsequently been banned in Europe. Potential culprits to avoid include Blue #1 and #2 food coloring; Green #3; Orange B; Red #3 and #40; Yellow #5 and #6; and sodium benzoate, a preservative.

Recent research also shows that glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide, used in large quantities on genetically engineered Roundup Ready crops, limits your body’s ability to detoxify foreign chemical compounds. As a result, the damaging effects of those chemicals and environmental toxins are magnified, and may result in a wide variety of diseases, including brain disorders that can affect behavior.
The Hidden Health Hazards of Glyphosate and GMOs

Glyphosate-contaminated food has recently been implicated in the dramatic rise of both ADHD and autism, the latter of which is clearly more extreme in terms of behavioral difficulties. Still, both problems appear to be rooted to some degree in abnormal gut flora, and this is where glyphosate begins its path of destruction. How severe the effect might be in any given person will likely depend on a wide variety of individual factors, including the mother’s gut health during and at the time of giving birth.
Former US Navy staff scientist Dr. Nancy Swanson has meticulously collected statistics on glyphosate usage and various diseases and conditions, including autism. A more perfect match-up between the rise in glyphosate usage and incidence of autism, is hard to imagine. To access her published articles and reports, please visit Sustainable Pulse a European Website dedicated to exposing the hazards of genetically engineered foods.

Additional Strategies to Relieve ADHD Symptoms

Besides addressing your child’s nutrition, as described in the two sections above, I also recommend implementing the following strategies:

• Clear your house of dangerous pesticides and other commercial chemicals.
• Avoid commercial washing detergents and cleaning products used on clothes, and replace them with naturally derived cleaning products free of added perfumes, softeners, etc.

Yes, ginnebean, there are charlatans out there, but not every alternative is evil. And the drug companies are not exactly squeaky clean in their practices also.

[ginniebean]

Originally Posted by ccom5100

As I pointed out in the WARNING in my original post:
There is a GREAT DEAL OF CONTROVERSIAL MATERIAL in this article, but it ALSO CONTAINS SOME GOOD TIPS!

I know Mercola is over the top. I'm not a fan of his. However, there is some good sound advice in the article, such as:

[/list]Yes, ginnebean, there are charlatans out there, but not every alternative is evil. And the drug companies are not exactly squeaky clean in their practices also.

AM I supposed to defend myself against YOUR claim that I think every alternative is evil? Interesting paint jab.

Yes, you did say there are controversial claims. There is also denial and the usual anti-adhd tropes in the article as well. You chose to put this information out there, not saying where you think his claims are over the top.

Gut health... The new nonsense, put out by Natalie (last name under which she got her supposed doctorate in the Soviet Union withheld by herself, so no one can actually verify her so called credentials.) She claims to cure, acne, autism, add and many other health conditions. . She makes a crap load of money at her clinic in the UK, where on top of her dubious diet, she be lls her clients for tests they can have done for free by the NHS.

Gluten "sensitivity". The new way to claim allergic reaction while needing absolutely NO supporting evidence.

Sugar has been ruled out as causing or exacerbating adhd. I personally recommend a low sugar diet because it's just good health. I don't single out kids with adhd, the parents have enough on their plates without having mom average scrutinize her kids lunch pail which is the point of these social straightjackets that manage to belittle adhd as a diagnosis, cast doubt on the legitimacy of adhd and put parents on the defensive EVERY where they go.

If there were alternative health people who weren't commenting hysteria, who cared about real information about adhd AND discussed alternatives including that there is little evidence that they have any medical effect but are a good adjunct simply because it's good common sense to get rid of products like roundup and have a safe and nutritionally sound diet. But, here's the list problem, many of these practioners have a conflict of interest when it comes to sharing real information, it might effect their bottom line.


Alternative types would get a lot more respect if they didn't prey on mental illness to sell their tinctures and tonics.

Just as one example, Dr. Mercola says that the diagnosis of ADHD is just an "opinion". Notice how he left out "medical opinion"? And he makes sure that indent the word "opinion" to highlight. It. Slick stuff, because people get medical opinions all the time, that's why we go to see medical doctors. It's this kind of slick propaganda that I object to, not the idea that we should care about what he's into our children's bodies.


I think round up is bad, please keep it far from your children. Not just children with adhd, all children.

Feed your children healthy food, not just kids with adhd but all children.

Parents of special needs children do not need to develop an unhealthy paranoia of food, stay away from heavily processed foods, additives and you're good. Special diets that could cost you 1000's of dollars that young families could put to better use, and will likely mean great sacrifices are simply not warranted.

Naturally there are people who are evangelical in their beliefs about this diet or that diet who respond to accumulated data as suspicious and often threatening but that's the world we live in. Common sense is... In short supply.

[ccom5100]

Alternative types would get a lot more respect if they didn't prey on mental illness to sell their tinctures and tonics.

That same statement can also be said about drug companies.


I put an article out there (didn't take out the controversial stuff because then I'd be accused of covering something up). Anyone reading this thread can take what they want from it and leave the rest. Have a wonderful day and be healthy!

[ginniebean]

Originally Posted by ccom5100

That same statement can also be said about drug companies.

Nopr, this is more propaganda, Drug companies have to submit strong evidence of claims of effectiveness and spend millions testing their medications.

Does Dr. Mercola? Nope, he can and does make any claim he wants and his followers believe it, not on evidence because he, unlike the drug companies makes his millions by beng really really nice and ever so ethical.


Tell me, if our children were dying from lukemia would you bring this anti-pharma crap?

[mctavish23]

First of all, TY 4 posting this.

Secondly, ignoring the fact that I have no clue who the author is, I can say unequivically,

that, after studying the disorder professionally for over 28 years now (plus living with it my

entire life), I KNOW for a fact that (* = Elaborate in More Detail) :

1) ADHD is the Most Widely Researched Childhood Disorder/Developmental Disability on Earth;

2) The Recent Rise in Diagnoses is DUE TO IMPROVED KNOWLEDGE + EDUCATION on ADHD;

3) Every Country in the World Acknowledges ADHD as a Valid Problem (For their country); *

4) The Use of All Scans For Diagnostic Purposes Is Inappropriate & Unacceptable;

5) ADHD is defined as a "Normal Dimensional Disorder of Human Behavior;" *

6) "Shifting Gears" to NCLB is Deceptive = "Apples & Oranges." *

I haven't bothered to look at the author's doctorate, in terms of what field it's in, but it really

doesn't matter, because EVERYTHING he's saying has already been addressed in the literature

(and ensuing) Clinical Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Treatment of ADHD by the following :

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry;
American Academy of Family Physicians;
American Academy of Pediatrics;
American Medical Association;
American Psychiatric Association;
Attention Deficit Disorder Association;
Center For Disease Control;
Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder;
National Clearing House on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (CDC);
National Institutes of Heath and Mental Health and;
U.S. Surgeon General's Report on Mental Health (Chapter 3- Disorders of Infancy, Childhood and Adolescence).

(* = More Elaboration)
POINTS :
3) The Landmark Journal Article INTERNATIONAL CONSENSUS 2002 is THE Definitive "ADHD is Real the World Over" Research Article - Signed off on by over 83 of the world's most distinguished scientist's; all acknowledging the universality of ADHD as a legitimate disorder;

3) Also contains THE "Gold Standard" Operational Definition for ANY Disorder ("Harmful Dysfunction") - by Rutgers Ethics Professor Jerome Wakefield (ADHD easily meets criteria);


5) One of the approximately 15 or so Operational Definitions for ADHD is that it is a Normal Demensional Disorder of Human Behavior, in that EVERYONE Displays Those Behaviors At Some Point. However, For ADHD, Those Behaviors Are Considered MALADAPTIVE (Create IMPAIRMENTS = Adverse Consequences) and DEVELOPMENTALLY INAPPROPRIATE (Create Impairments NOT Experienced by Same Age / Same Gender Peers = DEVELOPMENTAL DEVIANCE).

Clinical Threshold for ADHD = IMPAIRMENTS (NO IMPAIRMENT, NO DISORDER).

Metric (For Measuring) ADHD = DEVELOPMENTAL DEVIANCE (i.e., The "Rest of the Class" does NOT have an "invisible" neurobiological disorder of inhibition & self-control).

6) Please Check Out the US Supreme Court Ruling on T.A. vs. OREGON (2009)

You'll see that the US Supreme Court recognized the inequities involved in the Special Education process with respect to ADHD students, by RULING IN FAVOR of the student.

I hope this helps some in clarifying some of what I see as "smoke and mirrors" by the author.

tc

mctavish23

(Robert)

[Amtram]

One of the reasons Mercola has only a web presence and owns his own publication company and supplement manufactory is to avoid having to adhere to US law about making medical claims that are not supported by evidence. He prints the quack Miranda warning on his products so they can be shipped to the US, but presents them as actual medical treatments that can cure diseases and other conditions in his blog and the product descriptions.

Each one of the things that he mentions as contributing to ADHD symptoms has been thoroughly tested in large-scale well-designed scientific tests - and most of them even on human subjects with ADHD, so the results are relevant and significant. None of them has been shown to be associated with ADHD symptoms.

So, in essence, he's lying. That's not "controversial material," but outright obfuscation.

[Lunacie]

About two-thirds of the children diagnosed with ADHD are on some form of prescription medication, and oftentimes the side effects are far worse than the condition itself. These drugs actually rival illegal street drugs in terms of their dangerous risks to health ...

Only -IF- these children are taking drugs that are adulterated with unknown
substances, and taking them at very high doses.

Meds that are prescribed and overseen by doctors and parents actually have
fewer serious side effects than some over-the-counter meds that are given to
our kids without blinking an eye, such as aspirin, Tylenol and cough meds.

[ginniebean]

If "big pharma" told any lie commensurate with the multitude of whoppers Mercola has told in just this article they'd be sued to smithereens. Unfortunately the Mercola's of the world do not have to be accountable for what they say.

I'd love to see where big pharma has lied in any equivalent way about adhd or the medicines it makes in comparison to Mercola. Oh well, as long as Mercola makes his multi millions all is well. The kids who go without treatment.. Who cares about them. Higher suicide rates for teens with adhd who remain untreated because idiots keep saying medication is like dangerous street drugs should be sued.


Eventually, there will be regulation of the BIG Pseudo and they'll be held to the same standards as pharma.

[Canadian Mess]

Can't say that I like that article, correct me if I'm wrong but I get the idea that he's basically saying "the rise in diagnosis of ADHD could be because of better diagnostic material but more likely than not it's actually just the schools education system makes smart kids act out because they are bored... actually ADHD might not even exist..., but anyways, ADHD-like symptoms could be because there are GMOs and stuff in our foods- get rid of sugar, eliminate gluten, get them lots of omega-3s, and get rid of those gmos and other environmental toxins."

I've read studies about omega-3s and gluten, they are not conclusive- some say one thing, then another contradicts. I'll keep my meds for now, they work. And no, they are not as dangerous as street meth

[Corina86]

What if I told you I tried each and every single one of the cures and none of them did nothing for me: I have no intolerance to gluten, I think my intestines are ok since I only eat food that is good for them, I did take Omega supplements and I still eat a lot of fish, nuts and olive oil, also I avoid food additives and GMOs are not that present around here yet. I eat way healthier and exercise more than many others around me, I even go to the country side to be in a natural environment almost every week, but I still have the symptoms. I understand that you want to try all options and I encourage you do it. It's just that many here already tried those things and being given the same advice over and over again when it doesn't work gets very frustrating, I know you're just trying to share knowledge, but you should know these things have already been discussed in many threads before.

[mctavish23]

NOTHING I re-stated had anything to do with nutritional supplements. Instead, it was all

directed at the attempts at mis-information made by the "Dr." in question, whom I've never

heard of. As a Licensed Psychologist with ADHD, it bothers me that he has something to gain

by selling a product; regardless of individual anecdotal, subjective experiences. The simple

fact that he was misleading is unethical.

As for individual anecdotal, subjective experiences, they are exactly that and nothing more.

What I mean by that is that they are of value to that individual, which I have no problem

with. However, at the same time though, they are also NOT statistically significant.

I'm willing to read anything, as long as it's rational (based in scientific facts and not

misleading). As I previously stated though, I do appreciate the post and the sincerity behind

it. TY 4 That.

tc

mctavish23

(Robert)