| Most doctors will tell you that a neurotransmitter | | | | of ADHD. |
| imbalance is the primary cause of your child's | | | | There are many casein-free foods that are rich in |
| attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. While there is | | | | calcium and other essential minerals. If your child has |
| no doubt that a lack of dopamine and norepinephrine | | | | a calcium deficiency, include more of these foods into |
| makes a child more hyperactive and inattentive, it is | | | | his or her meals. |
| not enough to know that a neurotransmitter | | | | Vegetable sources: |
| deficiency causes ADHD. Where traditional doctors | | | | Broccoli |
| are satisfied with the neurotransmitter deficiency | | | | Spinach |
| explanation and prescribing medication, alternative | | | | Turnip greens |
| medicine digs deeper to find the root cause and | | | | Cabbage |
| provide natural treatments for the disorder. | | | | Collard greens |
| Calcium and the brain | | | | Watercress |
| In most cases, a calcium deficiency is the reason | | | | Bok choy |
| why the brain produces less norepinephrine and | | | | Brussels sprouts |
| dopamine. We all know that calcium is the building | | | | Seaweed |
| block of the bones, but calcium is also needed for | | | | Okra |
| bodily processes like enzyme digestion, vitamin | | | | Nuts and Legumes: |
| absorption, and neurotransmitter production. Most of | | | | Peas |
| the calcium we obtain from food goes straight to our | | | | Peanuts |
| bones, leaving only 1% for the rest of the body to | | | | Almonds |
| consume. When there isn't enough calcium for other | | | | Soy beans |
| functions, the body uses some of the calcium stored | | | | Navy beans |
| in the bones, which will eventually lead to | | | | Unhulled sesame seeds |
| osteoporosis. Besides that, children who suffer from | | | | White beans |
| a calcium deficiency also experience inattention, | | | | Fish and seafood: |
| irritability, painful joints, and sleep disturbances. | | | | Sardines |
| Detecting a calcium deficiency | | | | Pink salmon |
| To check if a calcium deficiency is behind your child's | | | | Mackerel |
| condition, a specialist will have to take a blood sample. | | | | Shrimp |
| The test for calcium deficiencies is not offered at | | | | Other foods: |
| traditional hospitals; to avail yourself of this, you will | | | | Tofu |
| have to see a naturopath or chiropractor. Alternative | | | | Corn |
| medicine offers special blood nutrient tests that can | | | | Corn tortillas |
| identify the calcium levels in the tissue through the | | | | Blackstrap molasses |
| calcium in red blood cell membranes. | | | | Although healthy and rich in vitamins and minerals, |
| Treating a calcium deficiency | | | | these casein-free foods may not be enough to meet |
| Fortunately, a calcium deficiency can be remedied by | | | | your child's daily allowance of calcium. The total daily |
| introducing more calcium-rich foods into your child's | | | | calcium intake for children under ten should be |
| meals. But hold off the milk for just a second - milk is | | | | 800-1,000 mg; adolescents should have around 1,200 |
| not necessarily the best source of calcium. In fact, | | | | mg. If your child cannot eat dairy products due to |
| researchers discovered that ADHD is also triggered | | | | casein intolerance, you might need to give daily |
| by a complex protein called casein, which is found in | | | | calcium supplements. Choose an absorbable |
| animal milk. Since the human body is unable to digest | | | | supplement with calcium and magnesium, such as |
| casein completely, it produces a chain of amino acids | | | | calcium citrate, because these minerals should be |
| called peptides. When peptides reach the brain | | | | taken in a balanced ratio of 1.5-2 mg calcium to 1 mg |
| through the bloodstream, they trigger toxic, | | | | magnesium. Too much calcium will interfere with your |
| morphine-like side effects such as inattention, | | | | child's ability to absorb and metabolize magnesium. |
| irritability, and lethargy, and aggravate the symptoms | | | | |