According to Western medicine, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is caused by a deficiency in the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine.
Although there is nothing wrong with attributing the disorder to a neurotransmitter deficiency, it would be nearsighted to focus on treating the condition with stimulant medication instead of trying to find the root of the deficiency.
At the biological level, all neurotransmitters are made of amino acids, the basic building blocks of proteins.
There are 20 kinds of amino acids that fall into two groups: essential amino acids, which the body cannot manufacture, and non-essential amino acids, which the body makes from proteins or other amino acids.
Consuming amino acid supplements to increase neurotransmitter production - an approach also known as "precursor loading" - has been used for decades and is backed by science and research.
Here are some of the amino acids that can help treat ADHD.
Tyrosine and phenylalanine All neurotransmitters are made out of tyrosine, which in turn is made up of phenylalanine.
These amino acids can be obtained from healthy, protein-rich foods like lean poultry, beans, seeds, nuts, and eggs, or through supplements.
Begin with having your child take 500 mg of tyrosine before breakfast, during the mid-morning, and mid-afternoon.
After three days, increase the dosage to 1,000 mg.
Add 500 mg of L-phenylalanine 7 days later and increase this to 1,000 mg after three days.
Glutamine Glutamine is the precursor of the relaxing neurotransmitter, GABA.
GABA allows the nervous system to calm down, and a lack of this neurotransmitter can induce panic attacks, anxiety, and insomnia.
Not only does glutamine increase GABA production, but it also heals the intestinal lining, a problem common in children with ADHD.
Glutamine can be obtained from proteins, but the amount obtained from food may not be enough to correct a deficiency.
Your child may have to take a supplement made up of raw material glutamine together with vitamin B6.
You can give 1,000-2,500 mg of glutamine daily, or 500 mg GABA during the mid-afternoon and another 500 mg before bedtime.
Tryptophan Tryptophan is the precursor of serotonin, the neurotransmitter that regulates emotions and makes us feel happy.
Serotonin is also needed to produce melatonin, a hormone involved in the sleep cycle.
To supplement, you can give 500 mg of tryptophan once in the afternoon and once before bedtime.
Take the supplement an hour or two before meals, on an empty stomach.
Alternately, you can give 5HTP, the amino acid from tryptophan that forms serotonin and melatonin.
Take 50 mg twice a day, once in the afternoon and once before bedtime.
Make sure your child avoids refined sugar and food allergens like casein and gluten, because these disrupt serotonin metabolism.
The tryptophan also needs to be supplemented with vitamin B6, because this is the mechanism by which serotonin and melatonin are produced from tryptophan.
Taurine Taurine is an amino acid that also functions as a metabolic transmitter.
It boosts the production of GABA, has a detoxifying effect, and prevents magnesium from leaking out of cells when we are stressed.
Glycine Glycine is a non-essential amino acid with an atomic structure similar to glucose (blood sugar) and glycogen (sugar stored in the liver).
A doctor named Carl Pfeiffer recently discovered that glycine can calm aggression and decrease sugar cravings in children with ADHD.
When glycine is taken together with GABA and glutamine, it can reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity by slowing down anxiety-related messages sent from the limbic system.
Since glycine has a sweet taste, it can be used as an alternative to refined sugar in foods like tea.
Before giving any amino acid supplements to your child, consult the advice of a trained holistic health care professional.
Supplementing your child at random may not produce any desired results, and could cause unwanted side effects.
A certified professional can examine your child's body to determine the appropriate dosage and treatment.
Although there is nothing wrong with attributing the disorder to a neurotransmitter deficiency, it would be nearsighted to focus on treating the condition with stimulant medication instead of trying to find the root of the deficiency.
At the biological level, all neurotransmitters are made of amino acids, the basic building blocks of proteins.
There are 20 kinds of amino acids that fall into two groups: essential amino acids, which the body cannot manufacture, and non-essential amino acids, which the body makes from proteins or other amino acids.
Consuming amino acid supplements to increase neurotransmitter production - an approach also known as "precursor loading" - has been used for decades and is backed by science and research.
Here are some of the amino acids that can help treat ADHD.
Tyrosine and phenylalanine All neurotransmitters are made out of tyrosine, which in turn is made up of phenylalanine.
These amino acids can be obtained from healthy, protein-rich foods like lean poultry, beans, seeds, nuts, and eggs, or through supplements.
Begin with having your child take 500 mg of tyrosine before breakfast, during the mid-morning, and mid-afternoon.
After three days, increase the dosage to 1,000 mg.
Add 500 mg of L-phenylalanine 7 days later and increase this to 1,000 mg after three days.
Glutamine Glutamine is the precursor of the relaxing neurotransmitter, GABA.
GABA allows the nervous system to calm down, and a lack of this neurotransmitter can induce panic attacks, anxiety, and insomnia.
Not only does glutamine increase GABA production, but it also heals the intestinal lining, a problem common in children with ADHD.
Glutamine can be obtained from proteins, but the amount obtained from food may not be enough to correct a deficiency.
Your child may have to take a supplement made up of raw material glutamine together with vitamin B6.
You can give 1,000-2,500 mg of glutamine daily, or 500 mg GABA during the mid-afternoon and another 500 mg before bedtime.
Tryptophan Tryptophan is the precursor of serotonin, the neurotransmitter that regulates emotions and makes us feel happy.
Serotonin is also needed to produce melatonin, a hormone involved in the sleep cycle.
To supplement, you can give 500 mg of tryptophan once in the afternoon and once before bedtime.
Take the supplement an hour or two before meals, on an empty stomach.
Alternately, you can give 5HTP, the amino acid from tryptophan that forms serotonin and melatonin.
Take 50 mg twice a day, once in the afternoon and once before bedtime.
Make sure your child avoids refined sugar and food allergens like casein and gluten, because these disrupt serotonin metabolism.
The tryptophan also needs to be supplemented with vitamin B6, because this is the mechanism by which serotonin and melatonin are produced from tryptophan.
Taurine Taurine is an amino acid that also functions as a metabolic transmitter.
It boosts the production of GABA, has a detoxifying effect, and prevents magnesium from leaking out of cells when we are stressed.
Glycine Glycine is a non-essential amino acid with an atomic structure similar to glucose (blood sugar) and glycogen (sugar stored in the liver).
A doctor named Carl Pfeiffer recently discovered that glycine can calm aggression and decrease sugar cravings in children with ADHD.
When glycine is taken together with GABA and glutamine, it can reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity by slowing down anxiety-related messages sent from the limbic system.
Since glycine has a sweet taste, it can be used as an alternative to refined sugar in foods like tea.
Before giving any amino acid supplements to your child, consult the advice of a trained holistic health care professional.
Supplementing your child at random may not produce any desired results, and could cause unwanted side effects.
A certified professional can examine your child's body to determine the appropriate dosage and treatment.