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Post by misty on Apr 9, 2008 18:00:08 GMT -5
Changes in our diets can be used as a treatment intervention for ADHD. And according to a recent study from Norway, it seems that at least a sub-group of children with ADHD have a particular type of protein imbalance that may be contributing to a child’s ADHD symptoms, or may be causing that child’s ADHD problem entirely........... www.newideas.net/adhd/milk-adhd-dr-reichelts-theories |
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Post by rakuflames on Apr 9, 2008 22:17:26 GMT -5
Changes in our diets can be used as a treatment intervention for ADHD. And according to a recent study from Norway, it seems that at least a sub-group of children with ADHD have a particular type of protein imbalance that may be contributing to a child’s ADHD symptoms, or may be causing that child’s ADHD problem entirely........... www.newideas.net/adhd/milk-adhd-dr-reichelts-theoriesI'm all for anything that works. I could care less whether it's "alternative" or "mainstream" -- but I noticed that there were no real statistics in there. In addition, it seems to have a clear commercial tie to an alternative that has absolutely no real evidence behind it. I am urging skepticism because we actually had a doctor convince us for some years that our older daughter's difficulties stemmed from ... a milk allergy. It turned out that she wasn't allergic to milk at all; she had a major LD in math (she was excused from all math in college); and those symptoms of milk allergy disappeared with ... Ritalin. We delayed effective treatment for her AD/HD for years because we didn't realize that the doctor had no real evidence to back up his opinions. |
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Post by anon4now on Apr 14, 2008 9:32:47 GMT -5
My sister has researched a lot about this issue. Her son has very bad allergies and her nutritionist feels it all stems from milk. When my son was initially going through ADHD diagnosis, she suggested taking him off of milk products. Though his asthma did go away, it didn't see much of a change in his behavior. My sister's retort is it takes a long time to see any long term affects. She says her son has been off of milk for 8 months (at the time) and she still sees an improvement in his behavior and skin (since that was one reaction he had) Lately I have been relaxed on the no milk. He only drinks Soy milk, but I will let him have strawberries and cream, cheese on his sandwiches, and there are a bunch of products that contain milk products in it. His asthma is coming back, so I don't know if it's the little bit of milk he is consuming in a week, or if I just kept it at bay for a little longer. I plan to see an allergist soon. But at the time, I figured what could it hurt to take milk away. It's like we're more than willing to pump different pills for this and that...why not experiment with his foods. Well, that's my experience anyways.  Anon |
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Post by bugsmom on Apr 14, 2008 9:58:27 GMT -5
Well, I wish that I could blame a milk allergy for my son's ADHHHD did, but since he hasn't had ANY type of dairy product since he was nine months old, that isn't the case.
We found out Josh had a life threatning (anaphylactic) reaction to dairy when I gave him a slice of Kraft cheese at nine months. Before that he had no dairy because I was stickly breastfeeding and eating only veggies, fruits, some softs meats. By this age he had already been hospitalized twice for asthma and we were warned by his specialist to watch out for the dairy. Well sure enough, he had it. Not to mention anaphylactic to peanuts, berries, melons, and eggs. The only one he's outgrown is the eggs.
People have approached me about this dairy issue before and I have to shoot them down pretty quick. I do think that this type of allergy can affect some children and parents should look into it. We've done a lot of research about foods and how it can affect the ADHD kid. We've tried different diets, but because of his overall food restrictions, its hard to take away the foods he can eat. I do know for certain the Red Dye #40 makes him crazier than crazy. I swear its like he's high when he eats it (which is not very often).
So, I guess all in all, parents should look at the milk debate. It can never hurt to look at a food issue. It's amazing how certain foods can affect your body and mind.
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Post by rakuflames on Apr 14, 2008 11:36:35 GMT -5
My sister has researched a lot about this issue. Her son has very bad allergies and her nutritionist feels it all stems from milk. When my son was initially going through ADHD diagnosis, she suggested taking him off of milk products. Though his asthma did go away, it didn't see much of a change in his behavior. My sister's retort is it takes a long time to see any long term affects. She says her son has been off of milk for 8 months (at the time) and she still sees an improvement in his behavior and skin (since that was one reaction he had) Lately I have been relaxed on the no milk. He only drinks Soy milk, but I will let him have strawberries and cream, cheese on his sandwiches, and there are a bunch of products that contain milk products in it. His asthma is coming back, so I don't know if it's the little bit of milk he is consuming in a week, or if I just kept it at bay for a little longer. I plan to see an allergist soon. But at the time, I figured what could it hurt to take milk away. It's like we're more than willing to pump different pills for this and that...why not experiment with his foods. Well, that's my experience anyways. Anon PUMP PILLS? Is that what we do when include medication for AD/HD? I didn't know. I thought ... i was giving my children medication they needed, just as they needed an antibiotic if they had strep throat. Why not experiment with their foods? Because it can affect their nutrition. It's really important that they get enough calcium and vitamin D (which is hard to get, actually) -- because men can get osteoporosis too. I don't mind debating diet but I don't think one side should insult the other, and that's how I feel about saying "pumping pills." |
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Post by misty on Apr 14, 2008 11:52:16 GMT -5
Bugsmom wasn't meaning to be insulting. I think she was just using a saying. She would never bash medication.
I think it doesn't hurt to experiment with diet as long as you are making sure your child still gets proper nutrition. Myself, I've found that taking all convenience foods out of my daughters diet has helped immensely! I read somewhere once that you should avoid anything that comes in individual wrappers. Like snack cakes, frozen sandwiches, etc. I've stopped buying those things & make my own versions & I think not only are we all healthier but my daughter is concentrating better without all the preservatives & artificial colorings & flavorings in her foods.
As for the milk, none of us drink much here but when I myself drink milk I get a severe itchy rash. I'm not sure what it is, but I find that if I drink organic milk, I don't get it so I must be sensitive to the growth horemones in regular milk. Thats my opinion.
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Post by lillian on Apr 14, 2008 12:37:28 GMT -5
Well, I'm in the middle here. I don't see any problem with changing a child's diet, if the child is allergic to something. In fact, any good parent would. Milk allergies can be tested, as they were with my son, and I KNOW allergy shots have helped my son's behavior, even though of the eighteen things he's allergic to, milk is not one of them. He was much more antsy and fussy in the spring, when his allergies were really acting up, but most kids are more antsy and fussy when they are sick. Allergies can make a kid feel horrible!
What concerns me, though, is removing seemingly healthy foods from your child's diet, when there is no evidence your child is allergic to them. Healthy, nutritious, fresh food is a beautiful thing, one of the greatest pleasures in life. Dinner at a gourmet restaurant is the best gift anyone can give me. Keep the diamond earrings or the emerald ring. I'll take good, fresh French food over those any day! If I had a choice of driving a ten-year-old car that ran well enough to get me where I needed to go and eating at great restaurants, or driving a new car and eating at McDonald's? No question. Bring the jalopy on! When foods, like milk, start getting eliminated from a diet with no proof the child is allergic to it, then a whole host of foods go with it--cheese, milk-based sauces, gravies--and the child is deprived of experiencing how truly wonderful this basic necessity of life, that we call food, can be!
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Post by bugsmom on Apr 14, 2008 13:53:17 GMT -5
Bugsmom wasn't meaning to be insulting. I think she was just using a saying. She would never bash medication. I certainly wasn't trying to be insulting...I didn't even say it!  Thanks for sticking up for me Misty.  Either way, I don't think Anon meant to bash drugs either. She was just making a broad statement. And even if she meant it in a different way, that is HER opinion and we all are aloud to have one here. Big GROUP hug, everyone! Anyway...I agree with you on this one Lillian. If a child does not have the allergy, I don't know why anyone would put forth the effort to take away a food that is ok. It takes a tremendous amount of time to read labels, watch out for cross-contamination, and find a good brand of food for an allergic child. You wouldn't believe the amount of "Hidden" dairy there is in foods. You need to learn all the langauge and its a pain in the behind. Not to mention finding a good alternative suppliment for the calcium. Agggg. I pray there is a day I can sit down with Josh and share and ice cream cone, or a bowl of homemade mac and cheese, or just a cup of hot cocca! Food allergies stink! |
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Post by rakuflames on Apr 14, 2008 13:57:30 GMT -5
Bugsmom wasn't meaning to be insulting. I think she was just using a saying. She would never bash medication. I think it doesn't hurt to experiment with diet as long as you are making sure your child still gets proper nutrition. Myself, I've found that taking all convenience foods out of my daughters diet has helped immensely! I read somewhere once that you should avoid anything that comes in individual wrappers. Like snack cakes, frozen sandwiches, etc. I've stopped buying those things & make my own versions & I think not only are we all healthier but my daughter is concentrating better without all the preservatives & artificial colorings & flavorings in her foods. As for the milk, none of us drink much here but when I myself drink milk I get a severe itchy rash. I'm not sure what it is, but I find that if I drink organic milk, I don't get it so I must be sensitive to the growth horemones in regular milk. Thats my opinion. We did all of that, and it made no difference. I don't have a problem with it as long as proven approaches are used as well. It certainly improved how we ate: I discovered that those so-called "convenience foods" weren't really saving me much time, and ... fresh food tastes better.  |
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Post by charliegirl on Apr 14, 2008 13:57:44 GMT -5
I belong to a site where some of the members are using the Feingold diet and have seen amazing results with their kids. Since it is known that allergies to certain foods or additives can cause ADHD symptoms, I don't think a parent is being irresponsible for checking the possibility out.
I do have a problem with a dr or anyone insisting that ADHD has to be caused by an allergy with no testing to verify it and when no improvement is seen in symptoms after a month. I also have a problem with people saying an allergy can't be the cause. Since ADHD symptoms seem to have many things that can exacerbate them, its very hard to find the culprit, if there is one.
I admire a parent who is willing to work at altering their child's diet when they find that is causing or worsening symptoms. Its not easy. My nephew is allergic to tomatoes and soy, plus a few others. My sister went nuts when he was small trying to find ways to feed him nutritious foods that were as exciting for him to eat as the ones everyone else was eating when we had family gatherings or he was with friends.
I also admire parents who are willing to research and put their own fears aside and medicate their children when they know that is what will best help control ADHD or any other neuro issue.
Its not easy finding what works best for our kids. I know everyone here is working toward that same goal, making life as good as possible for our kids and giving them the best chances for their fututres. Thats what I love about this site. Everyone can express their opinion. We can agree on some things and disagree on others and give everyone the opportunity to learn about the different possibilities, then choose whichever option seems to be best for their individual child.
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I was about to conquer the world but then I got distracted by something shiny.
