Debra Said:

What is the best natural medicine for ADD/ADHD?

We Answered:

New study: Pine bark extract reduces ADHD symptoms in children (press release)
by NewsTarget

A new study to be published in the June 17 edition of the journal of European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry shows a significant reduction of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children after supplementing with Pycnogenol® (pic-noj-en-all), an antioxidant plant extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, everyday for one month.
In the randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study, Pycnogenol helped reduce hyperactivity and improve attention, concentration and motor-visual coordination in children with ADHD.

"These findings are especially notable for parents who are concerned about overmedicating children diagnosed with ADHD. Many families are seeking natural options to avoid the potentially dangerous side effects of prescription drugs," said Dr. Peter Rohdewald, Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at Germany's University of Munster and one of the authors of the study.

"The results of this study show Pycnogenol may serve as a safe, effective treatment for children diagnosed with ADHD. French maritime pine bark extract reduced hyperactivity among study participants, while improving attention and visual-motor coordination and concentration of these children," said Rohdewald.

The study sampled 61 out-patients with ADHD with an average age of 9 ½ years, from the Department of Child Psychology at the Children University Hospital in Slovakia.

Forty-one patients received Pycnogenol and 16 received placebo. Patients were not supplemented with any other drugs or with vitamins E or C during the study. The placebo contained lactose (58 mg) and cellulose (65 mg). Participants in the Pycnogenol group received 1 mg of Pycnogenol or placebo for every kilogram of body weight, on a daily basis each morning, for one month.

Participants were given a basic psychiatric examination; an evaluation by teachers and parents using the Child Attention Problems scale (CAP), the Connor's Teacher Rating Scale (CTRS) and Connor's Parent Rating Scale (CPRS) and a psychological investigation before treatment, one month after the study began and one month after the end of the study.

After one month of Pycnogenol treatment, the participants' teachers compared the pre-test CAP and CTRS results with those scores after one month of treatment with either Pycnogenol or placebo. There was a significant drop in hyperactivity and inattention compared to start of the study and placebo.

The CPRS results, evaluated by parents after one month of treatment, showed a decrease in hyperactivity compared to the scores at the start of the study. The results for motor-visual coordination and concentration showed a significant increase for participants who took Pycnogenol after one month of the study period compared to before the study started. Participants who took placebo showed no significant improvement in these scores.

The researchers also found that, one month after termination of treatment, symptoms returned to their levels as measured before the study started in the Pycnogenol group, strongly suggesting the antioxidant's effect on reducing ADHD symptoms.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 7.8% of American Children are diagnosed with ADHD and 4.3% of children are taking medication for this disorder.

Most types of medications used to treat ADHD can be addictive and may have major side effects. Stimulant medications such as Ritalin, Dexedrine and Adderall are the most common treatments for ADHD and side effects often include depression, anxiety and irritability.

The CDC estimated nearly 3,100 people are admitted to emergency rooms each year due to stimulant drugs. An estimated 3.3 million Americans under the age of 19 and 1.5 million Americans over the age of 20 take ADHD medications. Pycnogenol was chosen for the study because it continues to scientifically demonstrate health benefits without serious side effects or addictive properties. Published findings have demonstrated Pycnogenol's beneficial effects in heart, circulatory, skin and cognitive function, among others.

"ADHD is affecting the quality of life for so many children and their families. It is imperative that science explores natural means to provide expanded treatment options. We look forward to advancing this promising research," said Rohdewald.

http://www.newstarget.com/ADHD.html

Dean Said:

Are there any parents out there with a child with ADHD?I want to put my son on natural meds to treat it.?

We Answered:

God bless you. My son has ADHD, he is now 16 years old. And it was/is a tough battle. He was diagnosed when he was 10 years old. I was so very against any meds in the beginning. I put him on herbals in the beginning. Then, I had to, finally, put him on prescribed medicines, I thought. For at least 1 1/2 years the doctors were trying to find the right drug and right dosage for him. Nothing seemed to have worked. The herbal meds I used came from GNC, DHA Junior and Kava Kava Root. After going thru the meds, natural and prescribed, I came to realize that my son's ADHD exerted when he was in school. I never put him on med's in the summer, it was only during the school year. I am not saying he was not difficult to handle at home but I made up in my mind to understand him and try different methods to get him to understand me. Some things that worked so well was the reward system and being firm and consistant on punishment. I have done the gold stars ( giving him those little gold stars when he did something good and when he had a certain amount he got presents, candy, movies), treasure chest reward ( earned play money and purchased toys out of a treasure chest). But the most important thing I learned, that seem to be working is the program set up by the school system. I requested an evaluation from the school, then I set up, what we call in Florida, the 504 plan. I was able to meet with counselors and teachers and set up a speciallized program especially for my son. Such things include giving him more time on tests, taking him out of class and putting him in smaller class settings when needed, giving him smaller assignments, when taking major tests they take him to another classroom to keep him from being distracted. This program is set up for him until he graduate and continue on to college. These are the things me and the teachers thought my son needed that would help him. We meet every year to review the program to see if we need to change, implement, or add anything. My son was assigned an ESE teacher. She goes in his classes and checks on him to see if he needs any help and she does it in a way that it seems she is in the class to help the entire class but her primary is to assist my son. You should be able to set up a plan with your son's school to address his needs. This program has seemed to help him (better yet, help us). He is no longer on any medication. His hyperness, his inability to stay focus, etc still exists but it is controlled at school because of the implentation of the 504 plan. Now, I can say that he has matured just a little but not as fast as most 16 years do. I have faith that he will get there and with prayer you and your son will get there.

Sheila Said:

Does "ATTEND", the natural medicine for ADD work? Has anyone with ADD/ADHD tried it?

We Answered:

Please don't fall into the natural or "homeopathic" medication scheme. For the most part that is all it is....a "money making scheme". Most of these alternative "medications" are approved for sale by the FDA but they are not approved for what they are sold for. They make no promises or guarantees but they make you think that they are the ultimate solution. I have seen so many people become seriously ill taking supplements and medicating themselves. Remember all prescription medications have their origin in natural plants etc. They have been refined and tested and studied. Natural remedies have less stringent controls and can actually exacerbate certain medical issues. best wishes.....

Bruce Said:

Has any one tried a natural medicine called synaptol for their children with ADHD?

We Answered:

I had tried a few natural products for my sons (at their request) but synaptol was not one of them. However, not one single one of the natural products benefitted my boys. My sons actually requested a return to conventional medication because they knew they weren't focusing and they saw their grades slipping. We returned to conventional medication and never tried the natural route again.

Both boys are now adults. The oldest no longer takes any meds as he has learned strategies for coping with his ADHD. My youngest, who is severely afflicted, will probably have to take medication for his entire life. The difference of medication versus non-medication is extremely dramatic with him.

Try the natural route if you'd like as it is the only way you will know if it works for your child. Your child might be one of the minority who are helped by a natural product for ADHD.

Micheal Said:

where can i find interactive material for adhd?

We Answered:

Check at your local bookstore or ask your doctor where you can get the relevant materials.

Ron Said:

Are there any natural medicines that can help me improve my ability to focus and concentrate?

We Answered:

try omega 3 fish oil