Just Ask Terry

Terry is happy to provide his opinion on diet and nutrition, supplements and lifestyle choices. This information is for educational purposes only. It is not meant to replace the advice of your physician and is not to be considered medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Should you have any concerns please contact your physician directly.

Q. Dear Terry, “I read one of your articles that talked about a combination of supplements to take for ADHD. My 13 year old son has ADHD and is bothered by stimulants. What do you suggest?” — Jennie B., Charlotte, NC.

A. Dear Jennie, I do have some natural options that I can share with you. But please check with your son’s doctor as this advice does not replace his/her oversight and medical care. If you are not doing so already, I highly recommend taking a good look at your child’s diet. I would suggest eliminating as many carbohydrates as you can, especially refined carbohydrates, and all sugars including artificial sweeteners, as well as dairy. While I understand this takes a huge effort on the part of both the child and family, it can make a real difference. In addition to modifying your son’s diet, there are some natural ingredients that you may want to consider adding to his daily regimen. Nutrients, including DMAE, L-tyrosine, taurine, phosphatidylserine, black currant, rhodiola, grape seed, and specific vitamins have been shown to be of benefit in the treatment of ADHD. They each influence different pathways, which is why I like to recommend them in a combination formula. Vitamin B, the amino acid L-tyrosine, and DMAE aid in the function of neurotransmitters, which are messengers in the brain. The herb rhodiola has long been used for its ability to increase focus, concentration and memory, especially during stressful times (such as final exam testing for students). Phosphatidylserine is a specific kind of phospholipid that is important for cell membranes in the brain, as well as helping to create neurotransmitters that are important for memory, attention and focus. In clinical trials of children with ADD, phosphatidylserine was able to improve attention and reduce symptoms. In fact, 11 of 18 children receiving phosphatidylserine had no further ADD symptoms at all. Omega 3 fatty acids have also been shown to help increase focus and attention in children. However, it can be a challenge to get them to take fish oil. I recommend you try an omega fatty acid product extracted from salmon—without the oil. A special European process extracts the salmon omega 3 fatty acids attached to natural phospholipids, which increases the absorption of the omega 3s about 50-fold over fish oil. This type of product is available in a tablet form that can be crushed and mixed with food. Although the tablet itself has a mild fresh ocean flavor, it is so mild that it is easily covered up by food. I would suggest taking 1-2 tablets daily. My final recommendation would be a combination of magnesium and vitamin B6. Both magnesium and vitamin B6 act as cofactors for numerous enzyme systems in the body and as such, are important to overall health. Look for a product that contains the bioactive form of vitamin B6, called pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P for short) and a special form of magnesium that is chelated to glycine, called magnesium glycinate. Magnesium in its chelated form is highly absorbable and aids in the body’s utilization of pyridoxal-5-phosphate. I would suggest taking a combination formula that provides approximately 60 mg of P-5-P and 200 mg of magnesium daily.

Healthy regards!

Terry . . . Naturally