Hyper active kids and raw food diet?

[Sarain]

Has anyone here had success with helping their kids over come hyper activity/ ADHD with the raw food diet?

[klomasius]

My son isn't adhd, but I do notice a definite improvement in his normal behavior when he eats mostly raw.

When he goes to his granmas place (his dad's mum) and comes home after eating drap he can tend to be unmanageable, short tempered, overstimulated from too much sugar etc.

I know of studies done at juvenile detention centres with young offenders (many of which suffer from ADHD) that looked at the role diet played in behaviour. One study switched the kids from the standard institutional fare to a wholefoods diet and reported VERY significant positive changes in behaviour. I would suggest this would be the same with raw, except maybe even more pronounced.

Initial headway into getting better attention and behaviour might be masked by the difficulties of transition, however I'd really advocate a high raw or raw diet for kids with ADHD as diet has been linked to the condition. And I'm certain diet playes a much greater role than is currently percieved by the medical establishment.

[Eva]

I'm not a kid any more -- but I was still taking ADHD meds as an adult. Any time I tried to stop, I went a little crazy dealing with the same ole habits and issues.

Then I went raw.

Within a couple weeks, I was off the medication! It's AMAZING how much clearer and focused I am!

I also had good experiences with one of my stepkids getting off of dairy and eating a lot more raw food. He had been diagnosed with ADHD previously, but the medication did some scary stuff to him. (This was before my husband and I were married.) When we got custody, he did not take the medication but still had problems in school. Changing his diet, although not 100% raw, made HUGE differences with him too. :) We relinquished custody, and he is back to difficulties and diet as before. :rolleyes: That's all I'm going to say about that before I stick my foot far down my mouth!

[Sarain]

Thanks for the info! My son is three and hyperactive, and I have ADD so I'm hoping the raw foods diet will help us both :) It's already helped me a lot with my digestive issues and muscle/ joint pain.

[klomasius]

Good luck Sarain, I wish you and your little one the best in improving your overall health! I'm sure the effects will be amazing.

Your little one is lucky to have you as a parent, and I wish more parents of ADHD kids would focus on their diets rather than simply medicating them.

Eva, I'm sorry to hear about your stepson's diffculties. :(

[adiebabe]

There is a really great book out that refers to ADHD and leaky gut (often missed and responsible for a lot!) in children. The book does push their own smoothie nutrient powder...however, aside from that, the information is very good and informative. It mentions things like food additives, etc. which is why going raw would help, you're then removing those factors from the iet and if you add probiotics, etc. you're also addressing the leaky gut and other issues. Having your intestinal flora off-kilter can cause a whole slew of issues!

Is Your Childs Brain Starving? (2nd Edition)
Foods NOT Drugs for Life and Learning
Dr Michael R. Lyon & Dr. G. Christine Laurell

Dr Michael Lyon is a physician and medical researcher with expertise in treating children with learning and behavioural difficulties including those with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).Dr. Christine Laurell is an environmental health researcher and educator who has done pioneering work investigating the role of environmental neuro-toxins and inadequate nutrition in the development of learning and behavioural problems in school aged children. Together, the authors have written this authoritative, survival handbook for parents and teachers working with children with ADD/ADHD, behavioural or learning difficulties, for anyone who suffers from hidden food intolerances or allergies and for anyone struggling with digestive disorders and seeking a non-drug nutritional solution. Dr. Lyon is the author of Healing the Hyper Active Brain also listed on this site and is currently on a forty city tour in Canada and the US. Revised and updated second edition.
Price: $24.95
ISBN: 0-9685168-6-6
2002, Mind Publishing Inc
Binding: Softcover
Length: 260