ADHD /Narcolepsy
(Used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder [an Autism Spectrum Disorder] and Narcolepsy [a sleep disorder])
Common examples:
amphetamines – Adderall, and others
dextroamphetamines – Dexedrine, DextroStat, and others
lisdexamfetamine – Vyvanse
methamphetamines – (illegal but in the same class of drugs used for ADHD)
methylphenidate – Concerta, Daytrana, Metadate, Methylin, Ritalin, others
modafinil – Alertec, Provigil, Sparlon, Vigicer, and others
pemoline – Cylert

Deplete:
B6, B7, C, D, E, magnesium, zinc, tyrosine
´´For over forty years, I have witnessed transformations in dozens of children,
including my own, simply with diet changes. Despite knowing that this would
make a difference in their child, far too many parents are unwilling to make
the necessary changes.
*Chaves-Carballo: Diet therapy in the treatment of neuropediatric disorders. Rev Neurol 2003 Aug
1-15;37(3):267-74

´´ADHD drugs often hurt more than help.
*Death by Ritalin: The Truth Behind ADHD. National Alliance Against Mandated Mental Health
Screening and Psychiatric Drugging of Children – www.ritalindeath.com/
*Gualtieri and Johnson: Medications do not necessarily normalize cognition in ADHD patients. J Atten
Disord 2008 Jan;11(4):459-69
*Marks: Cardiomyopathy due to ingestion of Adderall. Am J Ther 2008 May-Jun;15(3):287-9
*Moore et al: Prescription drugs associated with reports of violence towards others. “RESULTS:
We identified 1527 cases of violence disproportionally reported for 31 drugs.” PLoS One
2010;5(12):e15337
*Pliszka et al: Comparative effects of methylphenidate and mixed salts amphetamine on height and
weight in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry
2006 May;45(5):520-6
*Smith et al: Cardiomyopathy associated with amphetamine administration. Am Heart J 1976;91(6):792-7

´´Anesthesia drugs for surgical procedures are linked to a signifcant increased
risk for post-ADHD and brain damage.
*Sprung et al: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder after early exposure to procedures requiring
general anesthesia. Mayo Clinic Proceedings 2012 Feb;87(2):120-129
´´Drugs have little effect but alternatives do and without the side effects.
*Arnold: Alternative treatments for adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Ann N Y
Acad Sci 2001 Jun;931:310-41
*Cala et al: A survey of herbal use in children with ADHD or depression. Pharmacotherapy 2003
Feb;23(2):222-30
*Chan et al: Complementary and alternative therapies in childhood attention and hyperactivity
problems. J Dev Behav Pediatr 2003 Feb;24(1):4-8
*Harding et al: Outcome-based comparison of Ritalin versus food-supplement treated children with
AD/HD. Altern Med Rev 2003, Aug:8(3):319-30
*Kidd: Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children: rationale for its integrative
management. Altern Med Rev 2000;5(5):402-28
*Schoenthaler and Bier: The effect of vitamin-mineral supplementation on juvenile delinquency
among American schoolchildren: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial. J Altern
Complement Med 2000 Feb;6(1):7-17
*Sinha and Efron: Complementary and alternative medicine use in children with ADHD. J Paediatr
Child Health 2005 Jan/Feb;41(1-2):23-6

´´Ritalin acts like cocaine.
*Vastag: Pay attention: ritalin acts much like cocaine. JAMA 2001 Aug 22-29;286(8):905-6

´´Sugar and sugar substitutes also act like drugs. Aspartame, in particular, is linked to certain mental disorders and compromised learning and emotional functioning.
*Avena et al: Sugar-dependant rats show enhanced responding for sugar after abstinence: Evidence of a sugar deprivation effect. Physio Behav 2005:84:359-362
*Humphries et al: Direct and indirect cellular effects of aspartame on the brain. Eur J Clin Nutr 2008 Apr;62(4):451-62
*Rada et al: Daily bingeing on sugar repeatedly releases dopamine in the accumbens shell. Neurosc 2005:134:737-744
*Weil & Rosen: Chocolate to morphine: Understanding mind-active drugs. 1983
*Wender and Solanto: Effects of sugar on aggressive and inattentive behavior in children with attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity and normal children. Pediatrics 1991 Nov;88(5):960-6
*Wolraich et al: Effects of diets high in sucrose or aspartame on the behavior and cognitive performance of children. N Engl J Med 1994 Feb 3;330(5):301-7

´´Food colouring and preservatives affect behavior, liver toxicity, and the digestive tract in ADHD children.
*Ashida et al: Synergistic effects of food colors on the toxicity of 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5Hpyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1) in primary cultured rat hepatocytes. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 2000 Jun;46(3):130-6
*Bateman et al: The effects of a double blind, placebo controlled, artificial food colourings and benzoate preservative challenge on hyperactivity in a general population sample of preschool children. Arch Dis Child 2004 Jun;89(6):506-11
*Berdonces: Attention deficit and infantile hyperactivity. Rev Enferm 2001 Jan;24(1):11-4
*Boris and Mandel: Foods and additives are common causes of the attention deficit hyperactive disorder in children. Ann Allergy 1994 May;72(5):462-8
*Conners et al: Food additives and hyperkinesis: a controlled double-blind experiment. Pediat 1976 Aug;58(2):154-66
*Howard et al: ADHD is associated with a “Western” dietary pattern in adolescents. J Attn Dis 2010 Jul 14
*McCann et al: Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the community: a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet 2007 Nov 3;370(9598):1560-7
*Mizutani: Toxicity of xanthene food dyes by inhibition of human drug-metabolizing enzymes in a noncompetitive manner. J Environ Public Health 2009;2009:953952
*Moutinho et al: Prolonged use of the food dye tartrazine (FD&C yellow no 5) and its effects on the
gastric mucosa of Wistar rats. Braz J Biol 2007 Feb;67(1):141-5
*No authors listed: Artificial food colouring and hyperactivity symptoms in children. Prescrire Int 2009 Oct;18(103):215
*Park et al: Risk assessment for the combinational effects of food color additives: neural progenitor cells and hippocampal neurogenesis. J Toxicol Environ Health A 2009;72(21-22):1412-23
*Rowe and Rowe: Synthetic food coloring and behavior, a dose response effect in a double-blind, placebo controlled, repeated-measures study. J Pediatr 1994 Nov;125(5 Pt1):691-8
*Schab and Trinh: Do artificial food colors promote hyperactivity in children with hyperactive syndromes? A meta-analysis of double-blind placebo-controlled trials. J Dev Behav Pediatr 2004Dec ;25(6):423-34
*Tanaka et al: Effects of tartrazine on exploratory behavior in a three-generation toxicity study in mice.
Reprod Toxicol 2008 Oct;26(2):156-63
*Tanaka: Reproductive and neurobehavioural toxicity study of tartrazine administered to mice in the diet. Food Chem Toxicol 2006 Feb;44(2):179-87
*Tsuda et al: DNA damage induced by red food dyes orally administered to pregnant and male mice. Toxicol Sci 2001 May;61(1):92-9

´´Environmental triggers can aggrevate ADHD including chemicals andpollutants, molds, heavy metals, vaccines, and nutritional deficiencies.
*Blaylock: A possible central mechanism in autism spectrum disorders, part 1. Altern Ther Health Med
2008 Nov-Dec;14(6):46-53
*Rice: Parallels between ADHD and behavioral deficits produced by neurotoxic exposure in monkeys.
Environ Health Perspect 2000 Jun;108 Suppl 3:405-8
*Richmand: Hypothesis: Conjugate vaccines may predispose children to autism spectrum disorders.
Med Hypotheses 2011 Oct 10
*Singh: Phenotypic expression of autoimmune autistic disorder (AAD): a major subset of autism. Ann
Clin Psych 2009 Jul-Sep;21(3):148-61

Suggested alternatives:
Amino Acids are protein building blocks. Several are essential for autism spectrum children and include Glutamine, Arginine, and Taurine. Such deficiencies are often seen as salt cravings. According to this study, “Several interventions offer promise:
(a) taurine to suppress vasopressin and replenish astrocytes; (b) glutamine as fuel for intestines and brain; (c) arginine to spare glutamine, detoxify ammonia, and increase brain blood flow; and (d) oral rehydration salts to compensate dilutional hyponatremia.” NOTE: Rehydration salts can be made simply by mixing coloured sea salt (not white) with pure water. Coloured sea salt contains all trace minerals and
not just sodium chloride found in the processed white version.
*Good: Do salt cravings in children with autistic disorders reveal low blood sodium depleting brain taurine and glutamine? Med Hypoth 2011 Sep 16

Antioxidants, such as Carnosine and Vitamin C, significantly reduce oxidative stress common in the autism spectrum children. Carnosine is produced in the body from two amino acids – alanine and histidine.
*McGinnis: Oxidative stress in autism. Altern Ther Health Med 2004 Nov-Dec;10(6):22-36; quiz 37, 92

Carnitine is a non-essential amino acid that boosts brain energy while reducing impulse behaviour.
*Adriani et al: Acetyl-L-carnitine reduces impulsive behaviour in adolescent rats. Psychopharma 2004 Nov;176(3-4):296-304
*Torrioli et al: A double-blind, parallel, multicenter comparison of L-acetylcarnitine with placebo on the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in fragile X syndrome boys. Am J Med Genet A 2008 Apr 1;146(7):803-12
*Van Oudheusden & Scholte: Efficacy of carnitine in the treatment of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2002 Jul;67(1):33-8

Chamomile is an herb well-known for its calming effect.
*Niederhofer: Observational study: Matricaria chamomilla may improve some symptoms of attentiondeficit hyperactivity disorder. Phytomed 2009 Apr;16(4):284-6

Digestive enzymes at every meal. While digestive enzymes high in proteases do help, the Enzymedica brand does make a signifcant difference in autistic children, including ADHD which is a part of the spectrum. As a result of their effectiveness, the company has joined forces with the autism community in the USA.
*www.enzymedicablog.com/category/autism-and-digestive-enzymes/from-the-front-lines-of-autism/
*see Reference section for books by Bock, Bohager, Buckley, McCarthy and Matthews

Flax oil (omega-3) and Vitamin C significantly improve behavioral symptoms of ADHD.
*Joshi et al: Supplementation with flax oil and vitamin C improves the outcome of Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2006 Jan;74(1):17-21

Ginseng and Ginkgo biloba are herbs that improve ADHD symptoms.
*Lyon et al: Effect of the herbal extract combination Panax quinquefolium and Ginkgo biloba on attention-
deficit hyperactivity disorder: a pilot study. J Psychiatry Neurosci 2001 May;26(3):221-8

Glutathione deficiency is often found in autism spectrum kids. Glutathione, the“master antioxidant”, is vital for the liver’s ability to detoxify heavy-metals and metabolize nutrients. Glutathione can be stimulated in the body by such substances as Whey protein, Alpha-lipoic acid, Arginine, and Selenium. It has poor absorption as a stand-alone supplement.
*McCarthy (an excellent description on glutathione function by Dr. Jerry Kartzinel on pp 206-15)
*see Reference section for books by Bock, Buckley and Matthews

Gluten- and Dairy-free diet improve ADHD symptoms as well as accompanying digestive issues.
*Whiteley et al: The ScanBrit randomised, controlled, single-blind study of a gluten- and casein-free dietary intervention for children with autism spectrum disorders. Nutr Neurosci 2010 Apr;13(2):87-100
*see Reference section for books by Bock, Buckley, McCarthy and Matthews

Goji berries/Wolfberry have significant prenatal effects on the later cognative abilities of the offspring. They also have a neuroprotective effects and improve eyesight.
*Amagase & Nance: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical study of the general effects of a standardized Lycium barbarum (Goji) Juice, GoChi. J Alt Compl Med 2008 May;14(4):403-12
*Feng et al: A milk-based wolfberry preparation prevents prenatal stress-induced cognitive impairment of offspring rats, and inhibits oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction in vitro. Neurochem Res 2010 Feb 5
*Yu et al: Neuroprotective effects of anti-aging oriental medicine Lycium barbarum against beta-amyloid peptide neurotoxicity. Exp Gerontol 2005 Aug-Sep;40(8-9):716-27

Healthy Lifestyle Changes are being effectively used by many parents as a first-line treatment for ADHD symptoms.
*Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder – Other Treatments. U Maryland Med Center online
*Bosmier: Health lifestyle changes are being used by many parents as first-line ADHD treatment. NaturalNews, January 31, 2012
*Children With ADHD Benefit from Healthy Lifestyle Options as First-Line Treatment. ScienceDaily, January 24, 2012

Iron deficiency occurs in over 80% of ADHD kids. Iron is a vital mineral responsible for producing proper dopamine neurotransmission in the brain which is responsible for healthy central nervous system function.
*Konofal et al: Iron deficiency in children with ADHD. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2004 Dec;158(12):1113-5
*Konofal et al: Effects of iron supplementation on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children. Pediatr Neurol 2008 Jan;38(1):20-6

Magnesium and B6 boost low serotonin levels and improves autistic/ADHD symptoms.
*Mousain-Bosc et al: Magnesium Vit B6 intake reduces central nervous system hyperexcitability in children. J Am Coll Nutr 2004 Oct;23(5):545S-8S
*Mousain-Bosc et al: Improvement of neurobehavioral disorders in children supplemented with magnesium- vitamin B6. II. Pervasive developmental disorder-autism. Magnes Res 2006 Mar;19(1):53-62
*Strambi et al: Magnesium profile in autism. Int J Neurosci 2008 Jan;118(1):59-77
*Starobrat-Hermelin et al: The effects of magnesium physiological supplementation on hyperactivity in children with ADHD. Positive response to magnesium oral loading test. Magnes Res 1997 Jun;10(2):149-56

Melatonin is a safe treatment for sleep disturbances in autistic/ADHD children.
*Paavonen et al: Effectiveness of melatonin in the treatment of sleep disturbances in children with Asperger disorder. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2009 Dec;18(12):1143-9
*Wasdell et al: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of controlled release melatonin treatment of delayed sleep phase syndrome and impaired sleep maintenance in children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. J Pineal Res 2008 Jan;44(1):57-64

Omega-3 fatty acids (flax or fish oils, sacha inchi seeds) significantly improves behaviour, attention, and focus.
*Belanger et al: Omega-3 fatty acid treatment of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Paediatr Child Health 2009 Feb;14(2):89-98
*Haag: Essential fatty acids and the brain. Can J Psychiatry 2003 Apr;48(3):195-203
*Hirayama et al: Effect of docosahexaenoic acid-containing food administration on symptoms of ADHD- a placebo-controlled double-blind study. Eur J Clin Nutr 2004 Mar;58(3):467-73
*Johnson et al: Omega-3/omega-6 fatty acids for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a randomized placebo-controlled trial in children and adolescents. J Atten Disord 2009 Mar;12(5):394-401
*Joshi et al: Supplementation with flax oil and vitamin C improves the outcome of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2006 Jan;74(1):17-21
*Richardson & Puri: The potential role of fatty acids in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Prostaglandins
Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2000 Jul-Aug;63(1-2):79-87
*Sinn: Physical fatty acid deficiency signs in children with ADHD symptoms. Prostaglandins Leukot
Essent Fatty Acids 2007 Aug;77(2):109-15
*Sorgi et al: Effects of an open-label pilot study with high-dose EPA/DHA concentrates on plasma phospholipids and behavior in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Chem Biol Interact 2008 Nov 25;176(2-3):121-8
*Stevens et al: EFA supplementation in children with inattention, hyperactivity, and other disruptive behaviors. Lipids 2003 Oct;38(10):1007-21
*Vaisman et al: Correlation between changes in blood fatty acid composition and visual sustained attention performance in children with inattention: effect of dietary n-3 fatty acids containing phospholipids. Am J Clin Nutr 2008 May;87(5):1170-80
*Voigt et al: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of docosahexanoic acid supplementation in children with ADHD. J Pediatr 2001 Aug;139(2):189-96

Phospholipids (lecithin, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine) are fatty molecules that are required by all cells for proper functioning and often deficient in autismspectrum children. Natural food sources include fatty nuts, seeds, and plants but avoid the trans fats found in processed foods.
*Wiest et al: Plasma fatty acid profiles in autism: a case-control study. Prostaglan Leukot Ess Fat Acid
2009 Apr;80(4):221-7
*see References for books by Bock and Matthews
*Hirayama et al: Effect of phosphatidylserine administration on symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children. Agro Food Indust 2006, Sept/Oct:17(5):32-36
*Jin et al: Striatal neuronal loss or dysfunction and choline rise in children with ADHD: a 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy study. Neurosci Lett 2001 Nov 23;315(1-2):45-8
*Jorissen et al: The influence of soy-derived phosphatidylserine on cognition in age-associated memory impairment. Nutr Neurosci 2001;4(2):121-34
*Manor et al: Efficacy and safety of N-3 phosphatidylserine in children with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Eur Psych 2009:24(1):S12
*Manora et al: The effect of phosphatidylserine containing Omega3 fatty-acids on attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in children: A double-blind placebo-controlled trial, followed by an open-label extension. Eur Psych online July 31, 2011

Probiotics in high doses and multiple strains improve digestion, the immune system and brain function.
*see References for books by Bock, Bohager, Buckley, McCarthy, and Matthews

Protein (good quality and easy to digest forms) enhances mental function while minimizing ADHD symptoms. Adding probiotics and digestive enzymes also improve digestion and absorption of all foods but especially proteins.
*Zavala et al: Imbalance of plasma amino acids in patients with autism and subjects with ADHD. Rev
Neurol 2001 Sep 1-15;33(5):401-8

Pycnogenol is an antioxidant derived from pine bark that has numerous health benefits including modifying ADHD behaviour.
*Dvorakova et al: The effect of polyphenolic extract from pine bark, Pycnogenol on the level of glutathione in children suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). J Interferon Cytokine
Res 2010 Oct 15
*Dvorakova et al: Urinary catecholamines in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): modulation by a polyphenolic extract from pine bark (pycnogenol). Nutr Neurosci 2007 Jun-Aug;10(3-4):151-7
*Rohdewald: A review of the French maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol), a herbal medication with a diverse clinical pharmacology. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 2002 Apr;40(4):158-68
*Trebaticka et al: Treatment of ADHD with French maritime pine bark extract, Pycnogenol. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2006 Sep;15(6):329-35

Vitamins and Minerals are especially important for ADHD kids (Bock; Buckley; McCarthy; Matthews). They act as co-factors for enzymes. In other words, without either, the other does not work. DO NOT use gummies or Centrum-type vitamins as these contain sugars and colours with little nutrient value, and worse yet, often cause a deterioration in a child’s behaviour. Some recommended companies that formulate vitamins and minerals especially for kids within the autism spectruminclude:
*BrainChild Nutritionals – brainchildnutritionals.com/
*Kirkman Labs – www.kirkmanlabs.com/
*Metagenics – www.metagenics.com/
*New Beginnings Nutritionals – www.nbnus.com/
*Nordic Naturals – www.nordicnaturals.com/

Zinc is an important mineral for producing neurotransmitters and metabolizing dopamine and fatty acids.
*Arnold et al: Does zinc moderate essential fatty acid and amphetamine treatment of ADHD? J Child
Adolesc Psychopharmacol 2000;10(2):111-7
*Bekaroglu et al: Relationships between serum-free fatty acids and zinc, and ADHD: a research note.
J Child Psychol Psych 1996 Feb;37(2):225-7
*Bhagavan et al: The effect of pyridoxine hydrochloride on blood serotonin and pyridoxal phosphate
contents in hyperactive children. Pediatrics 1975 Mar;55(3):437-41
*Bilici et al: Double-blind, placebo-controlled study of zinc sulfate in the treatment of attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psych 2004 Jan;28(1):181-90
*Yorbik et al: Potential effects of zinc on information processing in boys with attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psych 2008 Apr 1;32(3):662-7

For Narcolepsy
L-Tyrosine is an amino acid that appears to help with this sleep disorder. Like B vitamins, single amino acids should be taken in combination with others. Therefore, if adequate protein is being consumed, then adding taurine along with digestive enzymes high in proteases can increase absorption and related effectiveness.
*Roufs: L-tyrosine in the treatment of narcolepsy. Med Hypotheses 1990 Dec;33(4):269-73
*Mouret et al: Treatment of narcolepsy with L-tyrosine. J Ethnopharmacol 2009 Nov 12;126(2):308-13

Low-carbohydrate diet is sometimes effective but use wisdom. Good carbohydrates include whole grains and fresh fruit and vegetables. Carbohydrates are necessary for energy so choose whole foods as opposed to processed ones. In other words, do not count calories but look at the quality of the food rather than the quantity.
*Husain et al: Diet therapy for narcolepsy. Neurology 2004 Jun 22;62(12):2300-2