by: Mubarakah Ibrahim CPT
Dealing with an overweight child can be a very delicate situation. We do not want to damage their self esteem by telling them they are fat or lazy, yet at the same time they must be conscious that they have to be more aware of their weight and eating habits for them to be healthy. Parents have a significant influence over the situation. Consequently most of the effort will have to come from the parents. Try these tips for getting kids to eat healthier.
#1 Kids listen to what you do not what you say.
Parents must be an example to their children. Children watch you even when you don’t know they are. If you are sitting in front of the TV with a bowl of ice cream and a bag of chips you are sending the wrong message to them. They don’t know you have PMS or you had a hard day or even you’ve been good on your diet for a month and this isn’t so bad. They are seeing lounge and eat. Nothing more or less. Make a salad in the middle of the day and offer them some. Have a piece of fruit as you go out the door and give them permission to go grab themselves a piece to take with them. This changes the message to snack and snack healthy.
#2 Encourage healthier eating habits by cooking healthier meals. You don’t have to announce “ we are all going to eat healthier so we can loose weight”. Cook a healthier recipe that you think your family will like. When they complain or ask “what’s this”, simply tell them you thought you’d try a new recipe. Don’t be disappointed or discouraged if they won’t eat it, or don’t like it. Simply offer them a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in its place. Most importantly do not go back a cook again trying to give them what they want. When given a choice they will most likely choose their “regular” less healthy meal.
#3 Implement house rules that require healthy eating. If you have a child that loves juice tell them they can only have juice if they drink and equivalent amount of water first. If you have a child that’s use to grabbing a handful of cookies when they get home. Instead of taking the cookies away , which is sure to give you a “health witch” title, Simply state “you can have cookies, after you eat a piece of fresh fruit first”. This will not only increase the amount of healthy foods and drink they eat, but also fill them with whole foods which leaves less room for junk.
#4) Be like your mother.
Remember when you had to eat all your vegetables? Offer (healthier) desserts after dinner to those that eat their vegetable. You may be in a situation of one child having dessert and the other not, however that’s great learning experience for everyone, You get what you earn. Life lesson at the dinner table. And no it’s not unfair. Kids understand immediate reward/punishment better than speeches. Keep the talking to a minimum, state the rule then stick to it.
#5) Be firm and be consistent.
Kids will push to test your limit. When you decide to implement a healthy habit stick to it. No matter how much a kid cries, whines, or sneaks (and they will). Stay firm that this is the rule. Discuss the rule with you’re your spouse so you can have a united front. If your children are use to free range in the kitchen, and eating whatever they want implementing all these tips at once will be to drastic a change for them. Try implementing one rule a week or even every two week. Remember health eating is a process and slow and steady wins the race. Not only will the new “house rules” be a change for your children but it will be a change for you as well, requiring more monitoring and more planning (making healthy snacks and ingredients always available).
About The Author
Mubarakah Ibrahim CPT is an AFAA certified personal trainer and owner of BALANCE fitness, a personal training service for women in CT that offers in-home personal training, on-line personal training, outdoor boot camps, and outdoor adventure club for women. She also lectures, promotes and conducts workshops on health and fitness through out the northeast. She can be contacted by visiting her website www.balanceCT.com or e-mailed at balanceCT@hotmail.com © BALANCE fitness.
Article may be reprinted without permission only in it’s entirety including author bio and contact information.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Simple Steps To Help Overcome Acne
by: Sylvie Brinton
Important Steps When Fighting Acne
Acne. The word strikes fear in heart of anyone who has had to deal with it. And the unfortunate reality is that it isn't just an affliction that affects teenagers, many people suffer from acne well into adulthood. And who hasn't heard the outrageous claims that are made by so many producers of acne treatment.
The problem is that each person is different, so there isn't one blanket treatment. People are willing to spend their hard earned money looking for the perfect solution to their acne problem.
If you are suffering from severe acne the best option may be to go and see a dermatologist. Acne is considered severe when it is covering a good majority of the face. If this sounds like you, your dermatologist should be able to prescribe medication to help with your acne. If you do not do anything to combat this you could end up with scarring. For the rest of us, dealing with acne is not quite so urgent, but something that we would like cleared up nonetheless.
Finding a good cleanser is one of the most important things we can do to help combat acne. Almost every skin care and cosmetic company has a line of products that is purported to clear up acne and reduce or eliminate the number of blemishes we get. And some of these products can be extremely expensive.
The truth is some of these miracle treatments can actually make your acne worse. In reality, some of the best cleansers for acne are relatively inexpensive and can be found in your local drugstore. The best ones are gentle and non-foaming.
Drinking a lot of water can get clear complexion. The nourishing properties of water help acne. The large intake of water helps us in taking out the toxins from our body. It is felt that taking seven to twelve glasses of water in a day would be adequate, though it varies from person to person. One must not drink too much of water as it will reduce the number of electrolytes in your body.
One of the good methods to fight acne and blemishes is facials, though it costs a lot of money. Generally pimples and whiteheads erupt suddenly from tiny simple blackheads on the face. To avoid any damage to the delicate skin of the face one must not attempt to extract them oneself. The process of extraction during deep pore facials removes these blackheads completely.
While facials can be extremely expensive (upwards of $100), you only need one every one to two months and you will typically see a massive improvement in your skin's condition. Your aesthetician can recommend products to help you keep breakouts at bay in between your facials.
Most people have had to deal with acne at some time. Since it's been around for so long there are a lot of solutions available. To find which is right for you may take time and a few failed attempts, but stick with it. You will eventually find a product that won't bankrupt you.
If you feel that you have tried just about everything and you are not seeing an improvement in your acne, do not hesitate to contact a dermatologist. There are many medications that they can prescribe if they see fit, which you cannot get over the counter.
About The Author
Sylvie Brinton writes exclusively for Reli Acne, it's one of the webs most up to date Acne sites, why not sign up for the free Acne newsletter. If you want to read more Acne articles go to: http://www.reliacne.com/articles
http://www.reliacne.com
Important Steps When Fighting Acne
Acne. The word strikes fear in heart of anyone who has had to deal with it. And the unfortunate reality is that it isn't just an affliction that affects teenagers, many people suffer from acne well into adulthood. And who hasn't heard the outrageous claims that are made by so many producers of acne treatment.
The problem is that each person is different, so there isn't one blanket treatment. People are willing to spend their hard earned money looking for the perfect solution to their acne problem.
If you are suffering from severe acne the best option may be to go and see a dermatologist. Acne is considered severe when it is covering a good majority of the face. If this sounds like you, your dermatologist should be able to prescribe medication to help with your acne. If you do not do anything to combat this you could end up with scarring. For the rest of us, dealing with acne is not quite so urgent, but something that we would like cleared up nonetheless.
Finding a good cleanser is one of the most important things we can do to help combat acne. Almost every skin care and cosmetic company has a line of products that is purported to clear up acne and reduce or eliminate the number of blemishes we get. And some of these products can be extremely expensive.
The truth is some of these miracle treatments can actually make your acne worse. In reality, some of the best cleansers for acne are relatively inexpensive and can be found in your local drugstore. The best ones are gentle and non-foaming.
Drinking a lot of water can get clear complexion. The nourishing properties of water help acne. The large intake of water helps us in taking out the toxins from our body. It is felt that taking seven to twelve glasses of water in a day would be adequate, though it varies from person to person. One must not drink too much of water as it will reduce the number of electrolytes in your body.
One of the good methods to fight acne and blemishes is facials, though it costs a lot of money. Generally pimples and whiteheads erupt suddenly from tiny simple blackheads on the face. To avoid any damage to the delicate skin of the face one must not attempt to extract them oneself. The process of extraction during deep pore facials removes these blackheads completely.
While facials can be extremely expensive (upwards of $100), you only need one every one to two months and you will typically see a massive improvement in your skin's condition. Your aesthetician can recommend products to help you keep breakouts at bay in between your facials.
Most people have had to deal with acne at some time. Since it's been around for so long there are a lot of solutions available. To find which is right for you may take time and a few failed attempts, but stick with it. You will eventually find a product that won't bankrupt you.
If you feel that you have tried just about everything and you are not seeing an improvement in your acne, do not hesitate to contact a dermatologist. There are many medications that they can prescribe if they see fit, which you cannot get over the counter.
About The Author
Sylvie Brinton writes exclusively for Reli Acne, it's one of the webs most up to date Acne sites, why not sign up for the free Acne newsletter. If you want to read more Acne articles go to: http://www.reliacne.com/articles
http://www.reliacne.com
How to Remove Blackheads
by: Brenda H. Murphy
The bane of most teenagers existence is pimples. But they may also have another skin problem that will stay with them past the hormonal years, and that's blackheads. These are something that can follow a person for much of their life, because they are related to two common factors of everyday life: oil production in your skin, and dead skin cells.
Contrary to popular belief, blackheads are not the result of dirt accumulating in overly deep pores. The "black" part arises from a combination of dead skin cells and sebum, or oil, although it is actually the skin particles that cause the color.
Unlike pimples, which can be a bacterial infection that turns the skin red and fills a pocket with pus, blackheads are flat spots that have filled with the cells that our skin sheds on a daily basis, and oil from the sebaceous glands. But people will treat them the same as pimples and try to squeeze or pop them to remove the unsightly mark. This is the last thing you should do, as it irritates the skin, and can start an infection under the plug of dirt and oil.
Actual removal of blackheads can be done by a dermatologist who uses a small cylindrical instrument that has a tiny opening that goes over the blackhead. It's pressed on the spot for a few seconds, and the resulting pressure around the edges will help dislodge the plug in the pore.
Prevention is they key to reducing the incidence of blackheads, as some people who have particularly active sebaceous glands, especially on the forehead or along the nose and chin, may have blackheads most of their lives.
While a good soap will help remove the oils on your skin, it doesn't get rid of the dead skin cells. A cleanser with salicylic acid will not only clean surface oil, but will get rid of skin debris that is waiting to clog up more pores. Alpha-hydroxi acid formulas will help to gently exfoliate the dead skin cells so there is less shedding skin left on the surface to sink down into pores.
Glycolic peels are very useful, in that they not only remove dead skin cells, but help loosen and lift some of the clogged material in pores. It may take five or six peels, to see visible results. Generally speaking, a home program of salicylic acid cleansers and glycolic peels is the key to reducing the number of blackheads that you get.
The only time you should not use the peels, is if you are using a topical retinoid, which loosens the blackheads, while speeding up the rate at which dead skin cells are sloughed off. Both of these at once, can cause skin irritation.
About The Author
Brenda H. Murphy
Visit http://www.LearnHowToRemove.com for a growing library of tips to remove those annoying messes in your life.
The bane of most teenagers existence is pimples. But they may also have another skin problem that will stay with them past the hormonal years, and that's blackheads. These are something that can follow a person for much of their life, because they are related to two common factors of everyday life: oil production in your skin, and dead skin cells.
Contrary to popular belief, blackheads are not the result of dirt accumulating in overly deep pores. The "black" part arises from a combination of dead skin cells and sebum, or oil, although it is actually the skin particles that cause the color.
Unlike pimples, which can be a bacterial infection that turns the skin red and fills a pocket with pus, blackheads are flat spots that have filled with the cells that our skin sheds on a daily basis, and oil from the sebaceous glands. But people will treat them the same as pimples and try to squeeze or pop them to remove the unsightly mark. This is the last thing you should do, as it irritates the skin, and can start an infection under the plug of dirt and oil.
Actual removal of blackheads can be done by a dermatologist who uses a small cylindrical instrument that has a tiny opening that goes over the blackhead. It's pressed on the spot for a few seconds, and the resulting pressure around the edges will help dislodge the plug in the pore.
Prevention is they key to reducing the incidence of blackheads, as some people who have particularly active sebaceous glands, especially on the forehead or along the nose and chin, may have blackheads most of their lives.
While a good soap will help remove the oils on your skin, it doesn't get rid of the dead skin cells. A cleanser with salicylic acid will not only clean surface oil, but will get rid of skin debris that is waiting to clog up more pores. Alpha-hydroxi acid formulas will help to gently exfoliate the dead skin cells so there is less shedding skin left on the surface to sink down into pores.
Glycolic peels are very useful, in that they not only remove dead skin cells, but help loosen and lift some of the clogged material in pores. It may take five or six peels, to see visible results. Generally speaking, a home program of salicylic acid cleansers and glycolic peels is the key to reducing the number of blackheads that you get.
The only time you should not use the peels, is if you are using a topical retinoid, which loosens the blackheads, while speeding up the rate at which dead skin cells are sloughed off. Both of these at once, can cause skin irritation.
About The Author
Brenda H. Murphy
Visit http://www.LearnHowToRemove.com for a growing library of tips to remove those annoying messes in your life.
Christmas Toy Shopping Online – 10 Reasons
by: Paul Harvey
With the Christmas season approaching, here are 10 reasons to do your toy shopping online.
1. Child free. Trying to shop for the Christmas presents with your children in tow does not really work. Why not shop on the Internet when they are in bed or busy with something else?
2. Crowd free. Avoid the hustle and bustle of the High Street, trying to get a pushchair around a cramped and busy shop.
3. 24/7 shopping. The Internet is open for shopping at all hours. With the exception of a couple of large supermarkets, why tie yourself to when your local toy shops are open?
4. Range of toys available. You can find pretty much every toy available on the Internet. It’s a great way to find unusual and different ideas when you get stuck in the rut of buying the same type of present year after year - after all, our niche is wooden toys (www.in2play.co.uk) and we stock some very hard to find items. A surefire way of getting away from the cloned High Streets and malls we live with today.
5. Time saving. The children are not with you - and do not know what you have got them. You are not fighting off the crowds of other shoppers. You can fit your shopping into a time that is convenient for your. No finding the last parking space in town. Get the toy shopping out of the way and when you do go to the High Street, you can relax and shop for fun.
6. No shopping bags. Five full shopping bags hanging off the pushchair, the car parked at the top of a multistory carpark a mile away and the busy shopping center to negotiate. Shop online and juggling the shopping bags is history (as is keeping out the little prying hands and eyes).
7. Home or work delivery. The majority of online stores will happily deliver to your workplace or home. If you want the toys quickly, many stores will offer a courier option. While most stores will charge a postage and packing fee, just think how much you have saved on car parking, petrol and time - and if you spend enough, the store will probably throw in free postage.
8. Range of payment options. On the Internet you can pay easily by card. Many stores will accept payment by cheque or postal order. Then there are also the online payment options such as PayPal. Don’t forget that PayPal and many banks and credit card companies offer Internet fraud protection for online purchases.
9. Discounts. You may well get a good price on the Internet, but the trick to getting extra discounts is to sign up for mailing lists on websites that interest you. You will probably find that from time to time you will get extra offers, discounts and lower shipping costs.
10. Right to Cancel. In many countries you have extra rights when purchasing online. In Britain and the EU, you may cancel your order at any time during the first seven working days after delivery - for any reason at all.
Above all play safe when paying for your Christmas shopping. Check the page that asks for your payment details either has a padlock icon at the bottom or https:// before the web address. Check that you have ‘real world’ contact details for the shop. Do a quick search on the Internet for the store to see if anyone has reported unresolved problems.
Enjoy your Christmas shopping!
About The Author
Paul Harvey is owner of in2play Wooden Toys (www.in2play.co.uk) in the UK. He is also a teacher of Humanities at secondary (high) school level.
With the Christmas season approaching, here are 10 reasons to do your toy shopping online.
1. Child free. Trying to shop for the Christmas presents with your children in tow does not really work. Why not shop on the Internet when they are in bed or busy with something else?
2. Crowd free. Avoid the hustle and bustle of the High Street, trying to get a pushchair around a cramped and busy shop.
3. 24/7 shopping. The Internet is open for shopping at all hours. With the exception of a couple of large supermarkets, why tie yourself to when your local toy shops are open?
4. Range of toys available. You can find pretty much every toy available on the Internet. It’s a great way to find unusual and different ideas when you get stuck in the rut of buying the same type of present year after year - after all, our niche is wooden toys (www.in2play.co.uk) and we stock some very hard to find items. A surefire way of getting away from the cloned High Streets and malls we live with today.
5. Time saving. The children are not with you - and do not know what you have got them. You are not fighting off the crowds of other shoppers. You can fit your shopping into a time that is convenient for your. No finding the last parking space in town. Get the toy shopping out of the way and when you do go to the High Street, you can relax and shop for fun.
6. No shopping bags. Five full shopping bags hanging off the pushchair, the car parked at the top of a multistory carpark a mile away and the busy shopping center to negotiate. Shop online and juggling the shopping bags is history (as is keeping out the little prying hands and eyes).
7. Home or work delivery. The majority of online stores will happily deliver to your workplace or home. If you want the toys quickly, many stores will offer a courier option. While most stores will charge a postage and packing fee, just think how much you have saved on car parking, petrol and time - and if you spend enough, the store will probably throw in free postage.
8. Range of payment options. On the Internet you can pay easily by card. Many stores will accept payment by cheque or postal order. Then there are also the online payment options such as PayPal. Don’t forget that PayPal and many banks and credit card companies offer Internet fraud protection for online purchases.
9. Discounts. You may well get a good price on the Internet, but the trick to getting extra discounts is to sign up for mailing lists on websites that interest you. You will probably find that from time to time you will get extra offers, discounts and lower shipping costs.
10. Right to Cancel. In many countries you have extra rights when purchasing online. In Britain and the EU, you may cancel your order at any time during the first seven working days after delivery - for any reason at all.
Above all play safe when paying for your Christmas shopping. Check the page that asks for your payment details either has a padlock icon at the bottom or https:// before the web address. Check that you have ‘real world’ contact details for the shop. Do a quick search on the Internet for the store to see if anyone has reported unresolved problems.
Enjoy your Christmas shopping!
About The Author
Paul Harvey is owner of in2play Wooden Toys (www.in2play.co.uk) in the UK. He is also a teacher of Humanities at secondary (high) school level.
Gaming: Parental Guidelines
by: Paul Wilson
Children spend at least 13 to 30 hours a week gaming. Most computer games are violent and aggressive and do little to inculcate moral values. Studies indicate that gaming results in aggressiveness and violent responses in children. And, children are less concerned and helpful towards their peers and families. They become socially stunted.
The onus of minimizing the effects and ensuring that children receive a rounded upbringing falls on parents. It is important to introduce character building activities and to censor games, ensuring suitability.
• Study guidelines established by the Entertainment Software Board. They indicate suitability for different age groups. Read the content label which will summarize the game, this will serve as an appropriateness guideline.
• Know your child. If you find any signs of being unsettled withdraw games that cause this change in behavior. Introduce games that titillate the imagination and make use of the mind. Avoid violence and aggression.
• Visit www.ESRB.com this provides game ratings as well as reviews.
• Rent a game and play it yourself. First hand knowledge will serve you well.
• Communicate with other parents. You will glean the trends, know the popularity.
• Play the games with your child. Know their reactions and learn their responses.
• Establish an open relationship where your child becomes comfortable even talking about what is inappropriate or disturbing. Establish gently what is right and wrong. Bullying does not help.
• Set up the computer and gaming console in a family room. All games will then be out in the open. You will be in a position to judge and monitor.
• Feel free to contact the manufacturer and voice your opinion.
• Study in detail the plus and minus points of computer usage.
• Interact with your child at all levels.
• Be a cautious buyer –question claims of advancing brain development.
• Introduce a variable routine for your child. Outdoor activities interwoven with computer related activities.
• Focus on social and emotional development. The child must be confident, curious, and forthright; display self control; be able to relate linearly, be caring and cooperative, and be communicative.
• Choose games that are fun and have a degree of effective learning.
• Introduce games that require two or more players—this fosters social interaction.
• Playing games should be a privilege not a right. Emphasize that parental approval is a must.
• Use games to maximize your child’s interests. If the child is mechanical minded purchase games that encourage this talent.
• Choose games that require decisions and strategies. Games should be more than shoot, blow up, destroy, and kill. Avoid killer machine games.
• Explain why a game is not to be played. Never just take away a game. A child needs to understand why you are against playing certain games.
Gaming is a part of life. It introduces computer technology, problem solving, and logic. It improves motor as well as spatial skills. Games are not just entertaining, they can be therapeutic too. Choose wisely and guide your child.
About The Author
Paul Wilson is the content manager for www.1888FreeOnlineGames.com, the premier website to play thousands of free online games including arcade games, action games, card games, flash games, strategy games, puzzle games and more. He also manages content for www.1888SoftwareDownloads.com.
Children spend at least 13 to 30 hours a week gaming. Most computer games are violent and aggressive and do little to inculcate moral values. Studies indicate that gaming results in aggressiveness and violent responses in children. And, children are less concerned and helpful towards their peers and families. They become socially stunted.
The onus of minimizing the effects and ensuring that children receive a rounded upbringing falls on parents. It is important to introduce character building activities and to censor games, ensuring suitability.
• Study guidelines established by the Entertainment Software Board. They indicate suitability for different age groups. Read the content label which will summarize the game, this will serve as an appropriateness guideline.
• Know your child. If you find any signs of being unsettled withdraw games that cause this change in behavior. Introduce games that titillate the imagination and make use of the mind. Avoid violence and aggression.
• Visit www.ESRB.com this provides game ratings as well as reviews.
• Rent a game and play it yourself. First hand knowledge will serve you well.
• Communicate with other parents. You will glean the trends, know the popularity.
• Play the games with your child. Know their reactions and learn their responses.
• Establish an open relationship where your child becomes comfortable even talking about what is inappropriate or disturbing. Establish gently what is right and wrong. Bullying does not help.
• Set up the computer and gaming console in a family room. All games will then be out in the open. You will be in a position to judge and monitor.
• Feel free to contact the manufacturer and voice your opinion.
• Study in detail the plus and minus points of computer usage.
• Interact with your child at all levels.
• Be a cautious buyer –question claims of advancing brain development.
• Introduce a variable routine for your child. Outdoor activities interwoven with computer related activities.
• Focus on social and emotional development. The child must be confident, curious, and forthright; display self control; be able to relate linearly, be caring and cooperative, and be communicative.
• Choose games that are fun and have a degree of effective learning.
• Introduce games that require two or more players—this fosters social interaction.
• Playing games should be a privilege not a right. Emphasize that parental approval is a must.
• Use games to maximize your child’s interests. If the child is mechanical minded purchase games that encourage this talent.
• Choose games that require decisions and strategies. Games should be more than shoot, blow up, destroy, and kill. Avoid killer machine games.
• Explain why a game is not to be played. Never just take away a game. A child needs to understand why you are against playing certain games.
Gaming is a part of life. It introduces computer technology, problem solving, and logic. It improves motor as well as spatial skills. Games are not just entertaining, they can be therapeutic too. Choose wisely and guide your child.
About The Author
Paul Wilson is the content manager for www.1888FreeOnlineGames.com, the premier website to play thousands of free online games including arcade games, action games, card games, flash games, strategy games, puzzle games and more. He also manages content for www.1888SoftwareDownloads.com.
ADHD / Hyperactivity
by: Jan Greeff
SCRUTINIZING HYPERACTIVITY
Introduction
In past centuries the health of children was mainly threatened by ignorance of basic hygiene, inadequate sanitation, contaminated water, poor nutrition and infectious diseases. Epidemics of cholera and other water borne diseases contributed to the death of thousands of children. Scarlet fever, measles, whooping cough, diphtheria and typhoid did the same. Identification of harmful bacteria and development of methods of immunisation resulted to a large extent in the eradication of infectious diseases. With the advent of modernisation conditions such as hyperactivity, attention deficit disorder and other learning disabilities as well as an increase in chronic illnesses such as asthma, eczema, etc. have been seen. This brochure attempts to summarise observations concerning hyperactivity, and its treatment from a dietetic viewpoint. The information, advice and recommendations are of a general nature and are not specific to the particular circumstances of an individual.
Hyperactivity in history
The hyperactive child and adult have probably been around since the emergence of modern man. Descriptions of clinical patterns as early as 400 BC appear similar to those currently labelled as hyperactive. Heinrich Hoffman, a German physician, first described hyperactivity in 1845. Since then, the hyperkinetic syndrome, commonly labelled as hyperactivity has captured public attention in practically every developed country in the world as increasingly more children have been and are diagnosed as hyperactive. Hyperactive characters abound in literature and cartoons, the main characters in the popular cartoons, Dennis the Menace and Bart Simpson being classic examples.
Hyperactivity defined
Hyperactive children usually have Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), leading experts to classify the malady together as ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder). In the USA many children are labelled hyperactive or as suffering with ADD when they attend school. There is some concern about "labelling" children when they do not respond in an acceptable way to the school, perhaps reflecting an inadequacy in the teachers rather than the pupils. Medication to suppress hyperactive children is often prescribed with side-effects such as dizziness, headaches, drowsiness, blurred vision, gastrointestinal problems and depression.
Incidence of hyperactivity
The incidence varies from country to country depending on the criteria used for diagnosis. In the USA the rate ranges from 5 to 22%. In Australia the rate of incidence ranges from 8 to 12%.1 In the United Kingdom a small number of children are diagnosed as hyperactive although referrals to child guidance clinics have increased.2 Hyperactivity is believed to affect 10% of the South African population and is found in every ethnic and socio-economic group.13
Characteristics of hyperactive children
Describing the characteristics of hyperactive children is daunting because many of the symptoms are present in all children to some degree at some time. Hyperactivity has been found to be between four and nine times more common in boys.2,3
The hyperactive baby is restless, has feeding problems and colic (intermittent and unexplained crying) and often has sleeping problems. Some fall asleep late and with difficulty while others wake up frequently or early. The baby often cries incessantly and parents find that no amount of comforting, nursing or cuddling pacifies the child.
The hyperactive toddler lives in a constant state of overstimulation, is constantly moving, unable to sit still, always into everything and touching every object in sight. As the child becomes older the description changes. They are always in motion, constantly fidgeting or shuffling their feet, can not stay at an activity long and can not read without quickly losing interest. A large percentage of hyperactive children have an abnormal thirst with a normal urine output. Other symptoms are lack of concentration, temper tantrums, impatience, quick frustration, clumsiness and sleep disturbances. Hyperactive infants and adolescents usually have a depressed immune system. Asthma, hay fever, otitis, eczema and other atopic conditions are common.
Most authorities agree that the major features of hyperactivity can be categorized as academic difficulties and behavioural abnormalities. Impulsiveness, low frustration tolerance, short attention span, aggressiveness and low self-esteem are some of the symptoms exhibited. Almost all hyperactive children have a high IQ, but poor concentration means they perform less well than they should in school and often complain of headaches, asthma, hayfever and other respiratory disorders.
The characteristics of the hyperactive child tend to intensify from birth to about 3 to 4 years of age, but may have subsided by the time the child reaches 10 to 12 years of age. The child becomes more controlled and the hyperactivity could to some extent be outgrown.4
Hyperactivity and allergies
Allergies to cereals and milk, even mother's milk is often commonplace. For many years paediatricians and paediatric allergists have reported that a higher percentage of children with allergies have learning disabilities and/or hyperactivity compared with those children who do not have allergies.9 It has been estimated that up to 10% of primary school children suffer from allergic reactions which exhibit in the classroom as behaviour and concentration problems.14
An allergy is an abnormal body reaction resulting from sensitivity to certain substances. The most common types of allergies are asthma, eczema and hay fever. Often symptoms are not recognised as resulting from an allergy and will be treated over and over with medications which may help superficially. As soon as the medication is stopped, the symptoms flare up again.
Causes of hyperactivity
Data pertaining to the cause of hyperactivity is incomplete, but various factors have been linked to hyperactivity. These include among others genetic factors, smoking during pregnancy, artificial additives in food, refined dietary sugar and environmental pollutants. Inborn temperamental variations with chemical differences in the brain are thought by some physicians to be the cause. The reason for these differences is unknown, but may be due to genetic differences or anomalies in the development of the baby before birth.
1. Prenatal influences
Very little is known about prenatal influences but there is a possibility that small birth size may sometimes lead to hyperactivity. Other variations in the mother's biological processes during pregnancy may contribute to the development of hyperactivity.5 It is well documented that the use of alcohol during pregnancy may result in mental retardation (foetal alcohol syndrome) and hyperactivity. The amount of alcohol, if any, that can be safely taken during pregnancy is unknown.6
2. Inborn temperamental differences
Although uncertain, many child psychiatrists reason that inborn temperamental differences caused by chemical differences in the brain may result in hyperactivity.5
The brain is an extraordinary complex interconnection of nerve cells. It receives information from inside the body via nerve impulses, collates this information and responds by initiating nerve impulses and secreting chemical substances or neurotransmitters (dopamine and noradrenaline). When released, neurotransmitters, transmit signals across synapses to other neurons in the brain. These pass from the brain to other parts of the body to stimulate, regulate and co-ordinate activities in other organs and systems.
When there is a deficiency of a particular neurotransmitter, the nerve cells can not function effectively and the portion of the brain that it "operates" will not function correctly. Successful functioning of the nervous system depends on the release of sufficient quantities of neurotransmitters. Hyperactive children are probably deficient in some neurotransmitters.5 In many hyperactive children the quantity of these transmitters probably increases with age, explaining why hyperactive children improve as they grow older.
3. Heavy metal poisoning
Heavy metals such as lead, copper, cadmium and aluminium are thought to be a cause for hyperactivity, especially where children live in industrialised areas. These metals all affect the nervous system. The lead content of environmental air has risen due to the higher lead content of petrol and increased car ownership. Cadmium from parental cigarette smoke and aluminium from food cooked in aluminium foil containers also affect the nervous system.4,6
4. Food preservatives, additives, flavorants and colorants
An allergist, Dr Benjamin Feingold,7 has proposed that hyperactivity is caused by artificial food preservatives, flavors, colorants and natural salicylates. He reported that 30 to 50% of hyperactive children could improve if these were omitted from the diet. His hypothesis stemmed from his observations that in some people salicylates cause allergic reactions such as asthma and eczema. When treating the asthma by removing salicylates from the diet, he noted a behaviour change as well as the disappearance of the asthma symptoms.
Since many patients who are allergic to salicylates also react to artificial colors and flavors, Dr Feingold further postulated that food colors and flavors may also have a behavioural effect similar to that of salicylates in those people who are sensitive to them.
The food colorant tartrazine increases the urinary excretion of zinc. Food colors and flavors are found in foods such as luncheon meats, sausages, hot dogs, jams, sweets, cake mixes and flavored cold drinks. Dietary sources of salicylates are found in apples, peaches, oranges, tea and worcester sauce.
Most dietary-crossover studies eliminating foods containing salicylates, food colors and flavors by a number of researchers have not been able to substantiate Dr Feingold's theories. Some studies, on the other hand, have provided data in support of the Feingold diet. The final answers are not yet in as there is insufficient evidence on whether the Feingold diet genuinely works.
5. Deficiency of nutrients
5.1. Essential fatty acids
Research4,8 concludes that hyperactive children have a deficiency of essential fatty acids (EFAs) either due to an inability to absorb EFAs adequately from the gastrointestinal tract or because their EFA requirements are higher. A deficiency of EFA in animals causes a constant thirst which is one of the symptoms of numerous hyperactive children.
EFAs are needed to form Prostaglandins (PGE) which are vital regulators in the body. They participate in the regulation of blood pressure, heart rate, blood clotting and the central nervous system. They are essential because the body cannot manufacture them and has to obtain them from dietary sources. There are two EFAs essential to man - linoleic acid and cis alpha linolenic acid.
EFAs are converted by the enzyme delta-6-desaturase to gammalinoleic acid (GLA) which is then converted to another substance called dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid. This in turn is converted to hormone-like substances called eicosanoids of which there are two groups - prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Cis alpha linolenic acid is converted to a substance termed eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) which is in turn also converted to prostaglandin.
The source of the problem is that the enzyme necessary for the conversion process does not seem to work efficiently in the hyperactive child and adult, with a resultant deficiency of PGE and leukotrienes. The enzyme deficiency or inhibition could be attributed to among others elevated blood glucose levels, a diet consisting of too much saturated fat, refined sugar, the intake of alcohol and deficiencies of zinc, magnesium and vitamin B6.4
Preliminary studies on the effects of supplementation with essential fatty acids in Canada, USA, United Kingdom and South Africa have reported some degree of improvement.2,4
5.2 Other Nutrients
Two-thirds of hyperactive children studied were deficient in zinc.2 A deficiency of zinc, magnesium and vitamin B6 blocks the formation of GLA.
A number of nutrients are essential to the proper functioning of the nervous system and these are discussed under the heading - treatment of hyperactivity.
6. Sugar
Clinical observations and parent reports suggest that refined sugars especially cane sugar triggers hyperactive behaviour. Two theories have been proposed for this reaction. One is that a diet consisting of refined carbohydrates influences the level of EFA. Another possibility is that certain sugars (glucose) influence brain neurotransmitter levels and therefore the activity levels in hyperactive children.
Researchers designed a study where children were given one of three different breakfasts; one high in carbohydrates, especially refined sugar; the second high in protein and the third high in fat. After each meal children were challenged with fructose, glucose and placebos. Children reported by their parents as hyperactive after eating sugar did indeed show an increase in activity level when challenged with glucose after eating a high carbohydrate meal.9
Normal children challenged with sucrose had more problems with attention after a high carbohydrate breakfast than after a high protein breakfast. The reverse was true for children with hyperactivity.12
Another study showed that of 261 hyperactive children who had five hour glucose tolerance tests performed on them, 74% had abnormal glucose tolerance curves. The predominant abnormality accounting for 50% of these results was a low, flat curve similar to that seen in hypoglycaemia. Hypoglycaemia is a potent stimulus for the production of epinephrine which could affect behaviour.10
Sugar may on occasion aggravate existing behaviour disorders. Reducing the intake of sugar should be encouraged. Rigid sugar free diets can be burdensome and socially inhibiting for the hyperactive child. The area of sugar intake and behaviour requires much more research before any recommendations can be made.
A study on the use of artificial sweeteners suggests that some hyperactive children become non-compliant and more aggressive when given large doses of aspartame.9
Treatment of hyperactivity
It is important to rectify the essential fatty acid deficiency. The enzyme necessary for the conversion process of essential fatty acids does not seem to work efficiently in the hyperactive child and adult. Essential fatty acids need to be provided in a form which can be readily utilized. Human breast milk contains relatively large amounts of GLA. Another important source of GLA is the oil of the evening primrose flower which contains 9% gammalinoleic acid (GLA) while fish oil contains 20% eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). These oils which are commercially available should be provided in a ratio of 2 GLA to 1 EPA (e.g. 500 mg Evening Primrose Oil to 250 mg Fish Oil).4
Zinc, vitamins B6, C and E are catalysts necessary to metabolize the essential fatty acids.6 Since most hyperactive children appear to be deficient in these nutrients supplementation with them makes good sense.
The B-group vitamins are particularly vital to the hyperactive child as one of their main functions is to regulate the central nervous system. Vitamin B1, thiamin, is involved in the maintenance of the central nervous system. A deficiency of Vitamin B2, riboflavin, may lead to central nervous system symptoms such as headache, irritability and fatigue. Vitamins B6 and C are involved in neurotransmitter synthesis.
Calcium acts as a co-factor in biochemical reactions in the body and takes part in the generation of nerve impulses throughout the nervous system. Magnesium which is necessary for the growth and repair of body cells also assists the transmission of nerve impulses to the muscles and acts together with calcium. Vitamin D aids the absorption and utilization of calcium and magnesium.
Zinc and chromium play a role in sugar balance by enhancing the action of insulin in promoting uptake of glucose. A glucose tolerance factor has been identified as a natural form of chromium which seems to potentiate the action of insulin. Supplementation with chromium has been shown to reduce glucose levels and to improve glucose tolerance.11 Since abnormal glucose tolerance levels have been seen in some hyperactive children supplementing with chromium and zinc may help.
Although all the amino acids have certain unique functions in the body a few are worth singling out. Four primary amines, serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine and acetylcholine are synthesised from amino acid precursors and appear to be under dietary control. Dopamine and norepinephrine are synthesised from tyrosine and phenylalanine (phenylalanine is metabolized to tyrosine), serotonin is synthesised from tryptophan and acetylcholine is synthesised from choline. Deficiencies of L-Taurine and glycine which both aid the regulation of the nervous system are possibly liked to hyperactivity, epilepsy and anxiety.
The beneficial effects of large doses of vitamin C to alleviate common symptoms of allergy have been described, but not substantiated in controlled studies. Anecdotal reports suggesting that lysine tablets relieve the symptoms of food allergy in some individuals are also undocumented.11 Methyl Sulphine Methane and calcium assist in allergic sensitivities.
Although Feingold's hypothesis has not been experimentally confirmed, elimination of food additives, colors, flavors and salicylates may be of benefit and is worth a try. Exclusion of sugar and refined carbohydrates is also recommended. If such a diet is to be followed, attention should be paid to its possible nutritional inadequacies and there should be some nutritional counselling and vitamin supplementation. Small, frequent meals consisting of protein and unrefined carbohydrates should be emphasized.
In Conclusion
There appears to be a relationship between brain function and nutrition. Studies on the effect of evening primrose oil and fish oil on hyperactivity have shown improvement in behaviour patterns and learning ability. The diet of the hyperactive child should be supplemented with these oils as well as magnesium, zinc, calcium, vitamin C and the B-complex vitamins.
The keys to managing the hyperactive child are dietary control, discipline and lots of tender loving care. All children have strengths and weaknesses. By recognising and accepting the diversity of human personalities and abilities a foundation will be laid for all hyperactive children to achieve their scholastic and developmental potential.
Research activity has increased and it is hoped that future research and clinical findings will lead to better treatment and understanding of hyperactivity.
For access to correct combinations of specialised nutrients, see “ADHD / Hyperactivity” under “Children’s Needs” on http://wellness.oppiweb.com
REFERENCES
1. Serfontein G. Add in adults - help for adults who suffer from attention deficit disorder. Simon and Schuster, Australia. 1994: 9
2. Matthews P. Fast Food. Nursing Times. March 1986.
3. Colten H.R; Food Hypersensitivity, food allergies and hyperkinesis. Suskind R.M; Textbook of Pediatric Nutrition. Raven Press, New York, 1981: 553-562.
4. Van der Merwe C.F. Hyperactivity, Medunsa. August 1992.
5. Wender P.H; Wender E. The Hyperactive Child and the Learning Disabled Child - a Handbook for Parents. Crown Publishers, 1978: 22.
6. Barnes B; Colquhoun I. The Hyperactive Child - what the family can do. Thorsons Publishers, Northamptonshire. 1984: 19, 77.
7. Feingold B. Why your child is hyperactive. New York: Random House, 1985.
8. The Hyperactive Children's Support Group. Information sheet - Health Visitor, 1980, 57;1: 87-93
9. Silver L.B. Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity disorder. Clinical guide to diagnosis and treatment. Washington: American Psychiatric Press Inc, 1992: 129-134.
10. Langseth L; Dowd J. Glucose tolerance and hyperkinesis. Food Cosmet. Toxicol. 16:129. 1978.
11. Krause M.V; Mahan L.K. Food Nutrition and Diet Therapy. A textbook of nutritional care. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company, 1984: 633-668.
12. Kinsbourne M. Sugar and the hyperactive child. New England Journal of Medicine. Feb 3, 1994: 355-356.
13. Edmonds T.L. Hyperactivity, following a special diet could help. Longevity. July 1995: 88-89.
14. Ryan B.J. Cerebral Hazards in relation to food and environmental chemicals. The Hyperactive Children's Support Group of Southern Africa. Newsletter 25, Fourth quarter 1995.
Glossary
ADD - Attention Deficit Disorder. Developmental dysfunction of the central nervous system.
Allergy - Unusual sensitiveness to the action of particular foods, pollens, dust, etc.
Amino acid - Organic acid containing the group nitrogen, especially as a constituent of protein.
Asthma - Disease especially allergic of respiration.
Diphtheria - Acute infectious bacterial disease with inflammation of mucous membranes, especially throat.
Eczema - Inflammation of skin.
Enzyme - Any of a unique class of proteins which accelerate a broad spectrum of biochemical reactions.
Food Additives - Added to food to color, preserve or flavor.
Hay Fever Summer disorder caused by allergy to pollen or dust often with asthmatic symptoms.
Neurotransmitter - Chemical substances when released, transmit signals across synapses to other neurons in the brain to stimulate, regulate and co-ordinate activities in other organs and systems of the body.
Otitis - Inflammation of the ear.
Salicylate - Salt of salicylic acid. Found in almonds, apples, apple cider, apricots, blackberries, cherries, cloves, cucumbers, currants, gooseberries, grapes, nectarines, oil of wintergreen, oranges, peaches, pickles, plums, prunes, raisins, raspberries, strawberries and tomatoes. Food with added salicylates for flavoring may be ice-cream, bakery goods (except bread), candy, chewing gum, soft drinks, jam, cake mixes.
Typhoid - Infectious bacterial fever with eruption of red spots on chest and abdomen with severe intestinal irritation.
Worcester - Pungent sauce first made in Worcester (United Kingdom).
About The Author
I’m Jan Greeff, married to Juanita since 1973. We have four children, four grandchildren, and are known as the wellness family.
I have been a Lifestyle Consultant for more than twelve years. It has been my privilege to be instrumental in safe, natural intervention to improve the quality of life of countless persons.
My intervention strategy is aimed at achieving optimum wellness via balanced nutrition, moderate exercise and fulfilling relationships.
SCRUTINIZING HYPERACTIVITY
Introduction
In past centuries the health of children was mainly threatened by ignorance of basic hygiene, inadequate sanitation, contaminated water, poor nutrition and infectious diseases. Epidemics of cholera and other water borne diseases contributed to the death of thousands of children. Scarlet fever, measles, whooping cough, diphtheria and typhoid did the same. Identification of harmful bacteria and development of methods of immunisation resulted to a large extent in the eradication of infectious diseases. With the advent of modernisation conditions such as hyperactivity, attention deficit disorder and other learning disabilities as well as an increase in chronic illnesses such as asthma, eczema, etc. have been seen. This brochure attempts to summarise observations concerning hyperactivity, and its treatment from a dietetic viewpoint. The information, advice and recommendations are of a general nature and are not specific to the particular circumstances of an individual.
Hyperactivity in history
The hyperactive child and adult have probably been around since the emergence of modern man. Descriptions of clinical patterns as early as 400 BC appear similar to those currently labelled as hyperactive. Heinrich Hoffman, a German physician, first described hyperactivity in 1845. Since then, the hyperkinetic syndrome, commonly labelled as hyperactivity has captured public attention in practically every developed country in the world as increasingly more children have been and are diagnosed as hyperactive. Hyperactive characters abound in literature and cartoons, the main characters in the popular cartoons, Dennis the Menace and Bart Simpson being classic examples.
Hyperactivity defined
Hyperactive children usually have Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), leading experts to classify the malady together as ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder). In the USA many children are labelled hyperactive or as suffering with ADD when they attend school. There is some concern about "labelling" children when they do not respond in an acceptable way to the school, perhaps reflecting an inadequacy in the teachers rather than the pupils. Medication to suppress hyperactive children is often prescribed with side-effects such as dizziness, headaches, drowsiness, blurred vision, gastrointestinal problems and depression.
Incidence of hyperactivity
The incidence varies from country to country depending on the criteria used for diagnosis. In the USA the rate ranges from 5 to 22%. In Australia the rate of incidence ranges from 8 to 12%.1 In the United Kingdom a small number of children are diagnosed as hyperactive although referrals to child guidance clinics have increased.2 Hyperactivity is believed to affect 10% of the South African population and is found in every ethnic and socio-economic group.13
Characteristics of hyperactive children
Describing the characteristics of hyperactive children is daunting because many of the symptoms are present in all children to some degree at some time. Hyperactivity has been found to be between four and nine times more common in boys.2,3
The hyperactive baby is restless, has feeding problems and colic (intermittent and unexplained crying) and often has sleeping problems. Some fall asleep late and with difficulty while others wake up frequently or early. The baby often cries incessantly and parents find that no amount of comforting, nursing or cuddling pacifies the child.
The hyperactive toddler lives in a constant state of overstimulation, is constantly moving, unable to sit still, always into everything and touching every object in sight. As the child becomes older the description changes. They are always in motion, constantly fidgeting or shuffling their feet, can not stay at an activity long and can not read without quickly losing interest. A large percentage of hyperactive children have an abnormal thirst with a normal urine output. Other symptoms are lack of concentration, temper tantrums, impatience, quick frustration, clumsiness and sleep disturbances. Hyperactive infants and adolescents usually have a depressed immune system. Asthma, hay fever, otitis, eczema and other atopic conditions are common.
Most authorities agree that the major features of hyperactivity can be categorized as academic difficulties and behavioural abnormalities. Impulsiveness, low frustration tolerance, short attention span, aggressiveness and low self-esteem are some of the symptoms exhibited. Almost all hyperactive children have a high IQ, but poor concentration means they perform less well than they should in school and often complain of headaches, asthma, hayfever and other respiratory disorders.
The characteristics of the hyperactive child tend to intensify from birth to about 3 to 4 years of age, but may have subsided by the time the child reaches 10 to 12 years of age. The child becomes more controlled and the hyperactivity could to some extent be outgrown.4
Hyperactivity and allergies
Allergies to cereals and milk, even mother's milk is often commonplace. For many years paediatricians and paediatric allergists have reported that a higher percentage of children with allergies have learning disabilities and/or hyperactivity compared with those children who do not have allergies.9 It has been estimated that up to 10% of primary school children suffer from allergic reactions which exhibit in the classroom as behaviour and concentration problems.14
An allergy is an abnormal body reaction resulting from sensitivity to certain substances. The most common types of allergies are asthma, eczema and hay fever. Often symptoms are not recognised as resulting from an allergy and will be treated over and over with medications which may help superficially. As soon as the medication is stopped, the symptoms flare up again.
Causes of hyperactivity
Data pertaining to the cause of hyperactivity is incomplete, but various factors have been linked to hyperactivity. These include among others genetic factors, smoking during pregnancy, artificial additives in food, refined dietary sugar and environmental pollutants. Inborn temperamental variations with chemical differences in the brain are thought by some physicians to be the cause. The reason for these differences is unknown, but may be due to genetic differences or anomalies in the development of the baby before birth.
1. Prenatal influences
Very little is known about prenatal influences but there is a possibility that small birth size may sometimes lead to hyperactivity. Other variations in the mother's biological processes during pregnancy may contribute to the development of hyperactivity.5 It is well documented that the use of alcohol during pregnancy may result in mental retardation (foetal alcohol syndrome) and hyperactivity. The amount of alcohol, if any, that can be safely taken during pregnancy is unknown.6
2. Inborn temperamental differences
Although uncertain, many child psychiatrists reason that inborn temperamental differences caused by chemical differences in the brain may result in hyperactivity.5
The brain is an extraordinary complex interconnection of nerve cells. It receives information from inside the body via nerve impulses, collates this information and responds by initiating nerve impulses and secreting chemical substances or neurotransmitters (dopamine and noradrenaline). When released, neurotransmitters, transmit signals across synapses to other neurons in the brain. These pass from the brain to other parts of the body to stimulate, regulate and co-ordinate activities in other organs and systems.
When there is a deficiency of a particular neurotransmitter, the nerve cells can not function effectively and the portion of the brain that it "operates" will not function correctly. Successful functioning of the nervous system depends on the release of sufficient quantities of neurotransmitters. Hyperactive children are probably deficient in some neurotransmitters.5 In many hyperactive children the quantity of these transmitters probably increases with age, explaining why hyperactive children improve as they grow older.
3. Heavy metal poisoning
Heavy metals such as lead, copper, cadmium and aluminium are thought to be a cause for hyperactivity, especially where children live in industrialised areas. These metals all affect the nervous system. The lead content of environmental air has risen due to the higher lead content of petrol and increased car ownership. Cadmium from parental cigarette smoke and aluminium from food cooked in aluminium foil containers also affect the nervous system.4,6
4. Food preservatives, additives, flavorants and colorants
An allergist, Dr Benjamin Feingold,7 has proposed that hyperactivity is caused by artificial food preservatives, flavors, colorants and natural salicylates. He reported that 30 to 50% of hyperactive children could improve if these were omitted from the diet. His hypothesis stemmed from his observations that in some people salicylates cause allergic reactions such as asthma and eczema. When treating the asthma by removing salicylates from the diet, he noted a behaviour change as well as the disappearance of the asthma symptoms.
Since many patients who are allergic to salicylates also react to artificial colors and flavors, Dr Feingold further postulated that food colors and flavors may also have a behavioural effect similar to that of salicylates in those people who are sensitive to them.
The food colorant tartrazine increases the urinary excretion of zinc. Food colors and flavors are found in foods such as luncheon meats, sausages, hot dogs, jams, sweets, cake mixes and flavored cold drinks. Dietary sources of salicylates are found in apples, peaches, oranges, tea and worcester sauce.
Most dietary-crossover studies eliminating foods containing salicylates, food colors and flavors by a number of researchers have not been able to substantiate Dr Feingold's theories. Some studies, on the other hand, have provided data in support of the Feingold diet. The final answers are not yet in as there is insufficient evidence on whether the Feingold diet genuinely works.
5. Deficiency of nutrients
5.1. Essential fatty acids
Research4,8 concludes that hyperactive children have a deficiency of essential fatty acids (EFAs) either due to an inability to absorb EFAs adequately from the gastrointestinal tract or because their EFA requirements are higher. A deficiency of EFA in animals causes a constant thirst which is one of the symptoms of numerous hyperactive children.
EFAs are needed to form Prostaglandins (PGE) which are vital regulators in the body. They participate in the regulation of blood pressure, heart rate, blood clotting and the central nervous system. They are essential because the body cannot manufacture them and has to obtain them from dietary sources. There are two EFAs essential to man - linoleic acid and cis alpha linolenic acid.
EFAs are converted by the enzyme delta-6-desaturase to gammalinoleic acid (GLA) which is then converted to another substance called dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid. This in turn is converted to hormone-like substances called eicosanoids of which there are two groups - prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Cis alpha linolenic acid is converted to a substance termed eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) which is in turn also converted to prostaglandin.
The source of the problem is that the enzyme necessary for the conversion process does not seem to work efficiently in the hyperactive child and adult, with a resultant deficiency of PGE and leukotrienes. The enzyme deficiency or inhibition could be attributed to among others elevated blood glucose levels, a diet consisting of too much saturated fat, refined sugar, the intake of alcohol and deficiencies of zinc, magnesium and vitamin B6.4
Preliminary studies on the effects of supplementation with essential fatty acids in Canada, USA, United Kingdom and South Africa have reported some degree of improvement.2,4
5.2 Other Nutrients
Two-thirds of hyperactive children studied were deficient in zinc.2 A deficiency of zinc, magnesium and vitamin B6 blocks the formation of GLA.
A number of nutrients are essential to the proper functioning of the nervous system and these are discussed under the heading - treatment of hyperactivity.
6. Sugar
Clinical observations and parent reports suggest that refined sugars especially cane sugar triggers hyperactive behaviour. Two theories have been proposed for this reaction. One is that a diet consisting of refined carbohydrates influences the level of EFA. Another possibility is that certain sugars (glucose) influence brain neurotransmitter levels and therefore the activity levels in hyperactive children.
Researchers designed a study where children were given one of three different breakfasts; one high in carbohydrates, especially refined sugar; the second high in protein and the third high in fat. After each meal children were challenged with fructose, glucose and placebos. Children reported by their parents as hyperactive after eating sugar did indeed show an increase in activity level when challenged with glucose after eating a high carbohydrate meal.9
Normal children challenged with sucrose had more problems with attention after a high carbohydrate breakfast than after a high protein breakfast. The reverse was true for children with hyperactivity.12
Another study showed that of 261 hyperactive children who had five hour glucose tolerance tests performed on them, 74% had abnormal glucose tolerance curves. The predominant abnormality accounting for 50% of these results was a low, flat curve similar to that seen in hypoglycaemia. Hypoglycaemia is a potent stimulus for the production of epinephrine which could affect behaviour.10
Sugar may on occasion aggravate existing behaviour disorders. Reducing the intake of sugar should be encouraged. Rigid sugar free diets can be burdensome and socially inhibiting for the hyperactive child. The area of sugar intake and behaviour requires much more research before any recommendations can be made.
A study on the use of artificial sweeteners suggests that some hyperactive children become non-compliant and more aggressive when given large doses of aspartame.9
Treatment of hyperactivity
It is important to rectify the essential fatty acid deficiency. The enzyme necessary for the conversion process of essential fatty acids does not seem to work efficiently in the hyperactive child and adult. Essential fatty acids need to be provided in a form which can be readily utilized. Human breast milk contains relatively large amounts of GLA. Another important source of GLA is the oil of the evening primrose flower which contains 9% gammalinoleic acid (GLA) while fish oil contains 20% eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). These oils which are commercially available should be provided in a ratio of 2 GLA to 1 EPA (e.g. 500 mg Evening Primrose Oil to 250 mg Fish Oil).4
Zinc, vitamins B6, C and E are catalysts necessary to metabolize the essential fatty acids.6 Since most hyperactive children appear to be deficient in these nutrients supplementation with them makes good sense.
The B-group vitamins are particularly vital to the hyperactive child as one of their main functions is to regulate the central nervous system. Vitamin B1, thiamin, is involved in the maintenance of the central nervous system. A deficiency of Vitamin B2, riboflavin, may lead to central nervous system symptoms such as headache, irritability and fatigue. Vitamins B6 and C are involved in neurotransmitter synthesis.
Calcium acts as a co-factor in biochemical reactions in the body and takes part in the generation of nerve impulses throughout the nervous system. Magnesium which is necessary for the growth and repair of body cells also assists the transmission of nerve impulses to the muscles and acts together with calcium. Vitamin D aids the absorption and utilization of calcium and magnesium.
Zinc and chromium play a role in sugar balance by enhancing the action of insulin in promoting uptake of glucose. A glucose tolerance factor has been identified as a natural form of chromium which seems to potentiate the action of insulin. Supplementation with chromium has been shown to reduce glucose levels and to improve glucose tolerance.11 Since abnormal glucose tolerance levels have been seen in some hyperactive children supplementing with chromium and zinc may help.
Although all the amino acids have certain unique functions in the body a few are worth singling out. Four primary amines, serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine and acetylcholine are synthesised from amino acid precursors and appear to be under dietary control. Dopamine and norepinephrine are synthesised from tyrosine and phenylalanine (phenylalanine is metabolized to tyrosine), serotonin is synthesised from tryptophan and acetylcholine is synthesised from choline. Deficiencies of L-Taurine and glycine which both aid the regulation of the nervous system are possibly liked to hyperactivity, epilepsy and anxiety.
The beneficial effects of large doses of vitamin C to alleviate common symptoms of allergy have been described, but not substantiated in controlled studies. Anecdotal reports suggesting that lysine tablets relieve the symptoms of food allergy in some individuals are also undocumented.11 Methyl Sulphine Methane and calcium assist in allergic sensitivities.
Although Feingold's hypothesis has not been experimentally confirmed, elimination of food additives, colors, flavors and salicylates may be of benefit and is worth a try. Exclusion of sugar and refined carbohydrates is also recommended. If such a diet is to be followed, attention should be paid to its possible nutritional inadequacies and there should be some nutritional counselling and vitamin supplementation. Small, frequent meals consisting of protein and unrefined carbohydrates should be emphasized.
In Conclusion
There appears to be a relationship between brain function and nutrition. Studies on the effect of evening primrose oil and fish oil on hyperactivity have shown improvement in behaviour patterns and learning ability. The diet of the hyperactive child should be supplemented with these oils as well as magnesium, zinc, calcium, vitamin C and the B-complex vitamins.
The keys to managing the hyperactive child are dietary control, discipline and lots of tender loving care. All children have strengths and weaknesses. By recognising and accepting the diversity of human personalities and abilities a foundation will be laid for all hyperactive children to achieve their scholastic and developmental potential.
Research activity has increased and it is hoped that future research and clinical findings will lead to better treatment and understanding of hyperactivity.
For access to correct combinations of specialised nutrients, see “ADHD / Hyperactivity” under “Children’s Needs” on http://wellness.oppiweb.com
REFERENCES
1. Serfontein G. Add in adults - help for adults who suffer from attention deficit disorder. Simon and Schuster, Australia. 1994: 9
2. Matthews P. Fast Food. Nursing Times. March 1986.
3. Colten H.R; Food Hypersensitivity, food allergies and hyperkinesis. Suskind R.M; Textbook of Pediatric Nutrition. Raven Press, New York, 1981: 553-562.
4. Van der Merwe C.F. Hyperactivity, Medunsa. August 1992.
5. Wender P.H; Wender E. The Hyperactive Child and the Learning Disabled Child - a Handbook for Parents. Crown Publishers, 1978: 22.
6. Barnes B; Colquhoun I. The Hyperactive Child - what the family can do. Thorsons Publishers, Northamptonshire. 1984: 19, 77.
7. Feingold B. Why your child is hyperactive. New York: Random House, 1985.
8. The Hyperactive Children's Support Group. Information sheet - Health Visitor, 1980, 57;1: 87-93
9. Silver L.B. Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity disorder. Clinical guide to diagnosis and treatment. Washington: American Psychiatric Press Inc, 1992: 129-134.
10. Langseth L; Dowd J. Glucose tolerance and hyperkinesis. Food Cosmet. Toxicol. 16:129. 1978.
11. Krause M.V; Mahan L.K. Food Nutrition and Diet Therapy. A textbook of nutritional care. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company, 1984: 633-668.
12. Kinsbourne M. Sugar and the hyperactive child. New England Journal of Medicine. Feb 3, 1994: 355-356.
13. Edmonds T.L. Hyperactivity, following a special diet could help. Longevity. July 1995: 88-89.
14. Ryan B.J. Cerebral Hazards in relation to food and environmental chemicals. The Hyperactive Children's Support Group of Southern Africa. Newsletter 25, Fourth quarter 1995.
Glossary
ADD - Attention Deficit Disorder. Developmental dysfunction of the central nervous system.
Allergy - Unusual sensitiveness to the action of particular foods, pollens, dust, etc.
Amino acid - Organic acid containing the group nitrogen, especially as a constituent of protein.
Asthma - Disease especially allergic of respiration.
Diphtheria - Acute infectious bacterial disease with inflammation of mucous membranes, especially throat.
Eczema - Inflammation of skin.
Enzyme - Any of a unique class of proteins which accelerate a broad spectrum of biochemical reactions.
Food Additives - Added to food to color, preserve or flavor.
Hay Fever Summer disorder caused by allergy to pollen or dust often with asthmatic symptoms.
Neurotransmitter - Chemical substances when released, transmit signals across synapses to other neurons in the brain to stimulate, regulate and co-ordinate activities in other organs and systems of the body.
Otitis - Inflammation of the ear.
Salicylate - Salt of salicylic acid. Found in almonds, apples, apple cider, apricots, blackberries, cherries, cloves, cucumbers, currants, gooseberries, grapes, nectarines, oil of wintergreen, oranges, peaches, pickles, plums, prunes, raisins, raspberries, strawberries and tomatoes. Food with added salicylates for flavoring may be ice-cream, bakery goods (except bread), candy, chewing gum, soft drinks, jam, cake mixes.
Typhoid - Infectious bacterial fever with eruption of red spots on chest and abdomen with severe intestinal irritation.
Worcester - Pungent sauce first made in Worcester (United Kingdom).
About The Author
I’m Jan Greeff, married to Juanita since 1973. We have four children, four grandchildren, and are known as the wellness family.
I have been a Lifestyle Consultant for more than twelve years. It has been my privilege to be instrumental in safe, natural intervention to improve the quality of life of countless persons.
My intervention strategy is aimed at achieving optimum wellness via balanced nutrition, moderate exercise and fulfilling relationships.
Tips To Follow Before You Make An Online Student Credit Card Application
by: Jeff Brown
Students - Do you know what your credit card is truly costing you and how you can save money by making an online student credit card application for a card with a lower interest rate?
Many students take out a student credit card without being aware of the hidden fees that many credit card companies are charging. In fact, if you don’t keep close tabs on your credit card, you may end up paying hundreds of extra dollars per year—without ever really knowing it!
And if like most students money is tight and you’re trying to live to a budget, those hidden fees can add up! Let’s take a look at some of the most common credit card fees, and then talk about how you can avoid them.
Grace Periods
In the past, we could always count on grace periods before we ever had to start paying interest. For example, if we charged our card to the limit, and could get it paid off before the grace period expired, then it would be like a free loan—we wouldn’t have to pay any interest.
Unfortunately, the credit card companies are making this harder and harder to do. For starters, many of them have reduced the traditional 30 day grace period to 20-25 days.
If you hold a credit card, but didn’t realize this, then you’re likely paying interest without even knowing it! What’s worse is that more and more credit card companies are eliminating grace periods altogether. That means if you charged lunch today at noon, at 12:01 pm, you would be already paying interest on it.
How about your credit card? You need to take a close look at the fine print and find out what kind of grace period you have. If your credit card company has reduced it significantly, or eliminated it altogether, you should seriously consider canceling it and getting a more user-friendly card.
Late Fees
When is the last time you checked to see what amount your credit card company charges you for a late fee? The truth is that these fees have doubled in just the past ten years, and that, combined with the reduced grace period, means that the credit card companies are raking in a lot of dough on late fees!
If it’s possible, you should try and send off the check (or electronic transfer) the day that you receive your credit card bill. There are three reasons why it’s important never to be late. The first is obvious; you will want to do everything in your power to avoid a hefty late fee. Next, if you are late, it will likely be reported to the credit agency and you will have a bad mark on your credit report. The third is the direst, and we’ll discuss it below.
Interest Rate Hikes
Did you know that if you are late--even one time—on your credit card payment, the company will in all likelihood raise your interest rates? That’s right; one late payment gives them the right to do it. What’s more, that isn’t just limited to your credit card payment. Any late payments from any lender that show up on your credit report gives them the justification to raise your rates, so be careful!
Key Tips For An Online Student Credit Card Application
Stop paying high charges and interest rates. Find a 0 apr student credit card and look for introductory periods of 12 months for balance transfers and purchases. You should also be able to find a student credit card options with rebates on gas, grocery and other great rewards.
About The Author
Jeff Brown is the writer of many articles on personal finance and credit card use. For the best reward cards and interest rates please lick this link for more information: http://www.creditcardsdoctor.com/categories/student_credit_cards
Students - Do you know what your credit card is truly costing you and how you can save money by making an online student credit card application for a card with a lower interest rate?
Many students take out a student credit card without being aware of the hidden fees that many credit card companies are charging. In fact, if you don’t keep close tabs on your credit card, you may end up paying hundreds of extra dollars per year—without ever really knowing it!
And if like most students money is tight and you’re trying to live to a budget, those hidden fees can add up! Let’s take a look at some of the most common credit card fees, and then talk about how you can avoid them.
Grace Periods
In the past, we could always count on grace periods before we ever had to start paying interest. For example, if we charged our card to the limit, and could get it paid off before the grace period expired, then it would be like a free loan—we wouldn’t have to pay any interest.
Unfortunately, the credit card companies are making this harder and harder to do. For starters, many of them have reduced the traditional 30 day grace period to 20-25 days.
If you hold a credit card, but didn’t realize this, then you’re likely paying interest without even knowing it! What’s worse is that more and more credit card companies are eliminating grace periods altogether. That means if you charged lunch today at noon, at 12:01 pm, you would be already paying interest on it.
How about your credit card? You need to take a close look at the fine print and find out what kind of grace period you have. If your credit card company has reduced it significantly, or eliminated it altogether, you should seriously consider canceling it and getting a more user-friendly card.
Late Fees
When is the last time you checked to see what amount your credit card company charges you for a late fee? The truth is that these fees have doubled in just the past ten years, and that, combined with the reduced grace period, means that the credit card companies are raking in a lot of dough on late fees!
If it’s possible, you should try and send off the check (or electronic transfer) the day that you receive your credit card bill. There are three reasons why it’s important never to be late. The first is obvious; you will want to do everything in your power to avoid a hefty late fee. Next, if you are late, it will likely be reported to the credit agency and you will have a bad mark on your credit report. The third is the direst, and we’ll discuss it below.
Interest Rate Hikes
Did you know that if you are late--even one time—on your credit card payment, the company will in all likelihood raise your interest rates? That’s right; one late payment gives them the right to do it. What’s more, that isn’t just limited to your credit card payment. Any late payments from any lender that show up on your credit report gives them the justification to raise your rates, so be careful!
Key Tips For An Online Student Credit Card Application
Stop paying high charges and interest rates. Find a 0 apr student credit card and look for introductory periods of 12 months for balance transfers and purchases. You should also be able to find a student credit card options with rebates on gas, grocery and other great rewards.
About The Author
Jeff Brown is the writer of many articles on personal finance and credit card use. For the best reward cards and interest rates please lick this link for more information: http://www.creditcardsdoctor.com/categories/student_credit_cards
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)