Struggling at School? :: Children and Parenting :: Emotional and Mental Health

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Struggling at School?
by author Sam Graci

Too often we label a child or teen with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), then prescribe Ritalin, a nervous-system stimulating drug that presumably affects a self-control centre in the brain. In my experience helping teens with learning difficulties and behavioural problems, I’ve found much safer and natural means of addressing these challenges.

Recent studies indicate that learning disabilities may be caused by many factors including nutrient depletions, food additives, food allergies or intolerances, environmental toxins, brain dysfunction and genetic influences. Children or teens with learning disabilities have often had chronic health problems in their early years such as ear infections, asthma, constipation, pneumonia and rashes. By the time these children are of school age, even though they are bright and intelligent, they may display problems with co-ordination, difficulty with spelling and math, and poor behaviour in class. They may also have problems sequencing and spacing, and therefore have trouble writing more than a few words at a time.

Processed Vs. Natural Foods

Getting children or teens on the right track is a two-step program. First, remove offending foods through a food reduction or elimination diet with the help of a health-care practitioner. Some problematic foods you may be advised to avoid are corn, pasteurized dairy, chocolate, refined wheat, sugar or artificial sweeteners, added fructose, artificial colours and food additives.

During step two of the program, the entire family must show its support by committing to a natural, nutritious diet, eliminating junk food such as boxed cereal, cakes, cookies, artificially flavoured fruit drinks, soft drinks and chips. This will allow your child or teen to stick to this new approach, and it will eliminate the possibility of him or her feeling punished for having learning challenges. The whole family can enjoy:

vitamin C-rich foods such as apples, oranges, tomatoes and green leafy vegetables, which are important for eliminating any toxins or metals that may be causing problems

foods rich in B vitamins, such as unrefined whole grains, wheat germ, nutritional yeast, eggs, leafy greens and tofu, which calm and soothe the nerves

breakfast, to get a healthy start to the day and prevent shortened attention span due to lack of nutrients. Rolled oats are full of nerve-soothing B vitamins. Muesli with a little plain yogurt and a tablespoon of flax will also provide wholesome nutritional support.

Generally, it takes 30 days to see positive outcomes such as better attention span, calmer disposition and less distractibility. Remember, children learn by imitation–set a good example!

Supplemental Support

Another way to replenish nutritional inadequacies in young people is with daily nutrient supplementation. Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are particularly important for proper functioning of the nervous system. Evening primrose, hemp and unrefined walnut and pumpkin seed oils are sources of omega-6 EFAs, while omega-3 EFAs can be obtained from non-genetically modified fish oils. Flax oil contains both the omega-3s and omega-6s, at 48 to 64 percent and 16 to 34 percent respectively.

Also important for supporting children’s learning are B vitamins, magnesium, digestive enzymes, zinc and antioxidant-rich mixes of nutrients. Look for multivitamin-mineral capsules and powdered food supplements made specifically for young people.

Regardless of what nutritional support you decide to give your children, the most important thing you can do for them is promote positive self-esteem. Do lots of activities with your children, show them you love them, trust them and care about them daily. Encourage various physical activities to develop physical co-ordination and strength.

Give your children the best chance at learning–with a balanced diet and a truly health-promoting lifestyle–good for life!

A Superfood Testimony

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With an education and background in adolescent psychology and chemistry, Sam Graci is author of The Food Connection (MacMillan Canada, 2001), which explains diet modification, behaviour modification, nutritional supplements and brain integration techniques that can effectively get to the root of learning disorders without the use of Ritalin.

Source: alive #239, September 2002

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