Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD):

 

Fractured attention is an epidemic. Look around and you will find husband and wife sitting at dinner in a restaurant, looking at their phones and NOT paying attention to each other or what is happening right in front of them. We need to change our habits, our culture, and our brains. One of the best things you can do is put your phone away when you are with loved ones, at work, or driving. Focus deeply on the present and all that is around you. Train your brain to use all its resources to perform the best on the task at hand. This will train your prefrontal cortex to be less distracted. 

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Start by building a healthy brain with Omega 3 fatty acids which are so important for the brain.  The brain is 60% fat.  All of our 100 billion nerve cells are lined in essential fatty acids.  Low levels of omega three fatty acids have been found in ADD, depression and dementia.  Omega 3 fatty acids (found in fish and flax seed oil) taken at a dosage of 2,000 to 4,000mg daily can be a beneficial augmentation for emotional and cognitive stabilization.  Here are some good fat sources: anchovies, avocados, Brazil nuts, canola oil, cashews, flax seed oil, green leafy vegetables, herring, lean grass fed meats, olive oil, peanut oil, Pistachio nuts, salmon, sardines, soybean oil, trout, tuna, walnuts, whitefish. 

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Some suffering from ADHD benefit from Ashwagandha, also known as Withania somnifera, Indian ginseng, or winter cherry, is a plant in the nightshade family. Some patients suffering from ADHD are good candidates for improving cognition by starting at 250 mg of Ashwagandha for the first week then increasing to 500 mg at bedtime.

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For hyperactivity in ADHD calm can be achieved with Zinc - Several studies have shown a reduction in hyperactivity and impulsivity with zinc supplementation. A 2005 study in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, showed a correlation between zinc levels and teacher- and parent-rated inattention in children. Foods high in zinc include oysters and other seafood, red meat, poultry, dairy products, beans, nuts, whole grains, and fortified cereals. For adults, 30 mg twice a day and for children, usually 15 mg twice daily, would be a good target dose. 

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If you have ADHD, stimulants can be life changing. They do require oversight by a physician monthly but new advances in formulations have made them better tolerated and safer. Be sure to inquire about recent developments with ADHD medications.

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We accept new patients with HMSA PPO, HMO, & FEDERAL insurance. Call (808) 202-0669 to schedule.