ADHD Natural Remedies - Calcium

Most doctors will tell you that a neurotransmitter imbalance is the primary cause of your child's attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. While there is no doubt that a lack of dopamine and norepinephrine makes a child more hyperactive and inattentive, it is not enough to know that a neurotransmitter deficiency causes ADHD. Where traditional doctors are satisfied with the neurotransmitter deficiency explanation and prescribing medication, alternative medicine digs deeper to find the root cause and provide natural treatments for the disorder.

Calcium and the brain

In most cases, a calcium deficiency is the reason why the brain produces less norepinephrine and dopamine. We all know that calcium is the building block of the bones, but calcium is also needed for bodily processes like enzyme digestion, vitamin absorption, and neurotransmitter production. Most of the calcium we obtain from food goes straight to our bones, leaving only 1% for the rest of the body to consume. When there isn't enough calcium for other functions, the body uses some of the calcium stored in the bones, which will eventually lead to osteoporosis. Besides that, children who suffer from a calcium deficiency also experience inattention, irritability, painful joints, and sleep disturbances.

Detecting a calcium deficiency

To check if a calcium deficiency is behind your child's condition, a specialist will have to take a blood sample. The test for calcium deficiencies is not offered at traditional hospitals; to avail yourself of this, you will have to see a naturopath or chiropractor. Alternative medicine offers special blood nutrient tests that can identify the calcium levels in the tissue through the calcium in red blood cell membranes.

Treating a calcium deficiency

Fortunately, a calcium deficiency can be remedied by introducing more calcium-rich foods into your child's meals. But hold off the milk for just a second - milk is not necessarily the best source of calcium. In fact, researchers discovered that ADHD is also triggered by a complex protein called casein, which is found in animal milk. Since the human body is unable to digest casein completely, it produces a chain of amino acids called peptides. When peptides reach the brain through the bloodstream, they trigger toxic, morphine-like side effects such as inattention, irritability, and lethargy, and aggravate the symptoms of ADHD.

There are many casein-free foods that are rich in calcium and other essential minerals. If your child has a calcium deficiency, include more of these foods into his or her meals.

Vegetable sources:

Broccoli

Spinach

Turnip greens

Cabbage

Collard greens

Watercress

Bok choy

Brussels sprouts

Seaweed

Okra

Nuts and Legumes:

Peas

Peanuts

Almonds

Soy beans

Navy beans

Unhulled sesame seeds

White beans

Fish and seafood:

Sardines

Pink salmon

Mackerel

Shrimp

Other foods:

Tofu

Corn

Corn tortillas

Blackstrap molasses

Although healthy and rich in vitamins and minerals, these casein-free foods may not be enough to meet your child's daily allowance of calcium. The total daily calcium intake for children under ten should be 800-1,000 mg; adolescents should have around 1,200 mg. If your child cannot eat dairy products due to casein intolerance, you might need to give daily calcium supplements. Choose an absorbable supplement with calcium and magnesium, such as calcium citrate, because these minerals should be taken in a balanced ratio of 1.5-2 mg calcium to 1 mg magnesium. Too much calcium will interfere with your child's ability to absorb and metabolize magnesium.