Is It NDD, Not ADD?

BY DR. BILL SEARS
America's Pediatrician

We love our children. We protect them from the dangers of drugs, strangers, illnesses – anything that may cause them harm – but what about protecting the development of their brains? Most children are not getting the required nutrients they need for proper cognitive growth. From my own experience, more than half of children I see with learning or behavioral problems have histories of poor nutrition.

I have seen first hand many children’s behavior and concentration problems show remarkable improvements with proper brain nutrition. So if your children are having these kinds of problems, your first step should be to examine their diet so that you can rule out what I call Nutritional Deficit Disorder (N.D.D.).

The brain, more than any other organ, is affected for better or worse by what we eat. If a child is a junk food addict, their brain is the first thing that will be affected. A growing body of research points to the impact of nutritional deficiencies – especially with essential fatty acids – on the brain’s ability to affect learning and behavior. Studies continue pouring out citing Omega-3 as the single most important nutrient in the cognitive development of children.

There are more than 10,000 medical studies showing the health benefits of Omega 3s.  A recent one is the Oxford Durham study published in Pediatrics in 2005, which revealed that school children who were given omega-3 supplements showed improved reading and spelling scores.  After the study was published, many teachers suggested that school-age children routinely be given omega-3 supplements.

Since the brain is 60 percent fat, it stands to reason that growing brains need high-quality fats. Smart fats make the brain grow and perform better. Smart fats are the omega-3 fatty acids that are found in especially high amounts in seafood. Researchers believe that the high levels of omega-3 fats in breast milk help to explain the differences in IQ between children who received human milk in infancy and those who did not.

Omega-3 is rich in DHA which naturally supports healthy brain development, focus and learning. To give your child’s brain the nutrition it requires, make these simple changes and watch the difference:

• Feed a brainy breakfast. Dozens of research studies have proven without a doubt that children eating a high protein breakfast perform better in school.
• Raise a grazer: Grazing is good for the brain because it helps to steady blood sugar levels. I call it the rules of twos: eat twice as often, half as much and chew twice as long.
• Feed fish (or the next best thing): Kids who eat plenty of Omega-3 fats and protein are almost guaranteed to have better school performance. Since it is almost impossible to get kids to eat enough fish to meet this demand, I’ve developed a nutritional insurance policy for your child’s brain. Go Fish Children’s Omega-3 DHA supplements, and Go Fish Brainy Kidz Children’s Omega-3 DHA Fruit-Based Soft Chews contain the necessary amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids that are essential for brain development.  Each is made with all-natural, fruit-based ingredients, and has a great-tasting strawberry flavor.
• Feed smart carbs: The brain prefers carbs that are naturally packaged with protein and fiber. Something as simple as whole wheat toast with peanut butter is an excellent choice. Or, serve whole grain cereal and yogurt.
• Eat blue food: Blueberries are a great brain food. Their deep blue skin is full of flavonoids and antioxidants that help keep growing brains healthy. Other ‘smart foods’ include nuts, wild salmon and spinach. And discourage your child from eating too many ‘dumb foods’ that include foods with MSG, aspartame and preservatives on the label, foods containing hydrogenated oils, fiber-poor carbs, and “liquid candy” (sodas and other sweet drinks).
• Run, play and have fun: Exercise improves the blood flow to the brain. Consider movement another brain food. Improving blood flow to any organ, especially the brain, is like watering and fertilizing a garden. More blood means more nutrients. When you move your muscles, especially the large muscles in your arms and legs, which you use in vigorous exercise, your heart works harder to pump blood through your veins and arteries.

You should also keep a food/mood record for your child. Record everything they eat, and their resulting moods and activity levels. For example, when your child drinks several glasses of artificially-colored punch, does he have trouble sitting still for the rest of the day? Once a child with N.D.D. is given a healthier diet, parents and teachers usually noticed marked improvement in behavior and learning in about three weeks.

About Dr. Bill Sears

Dr. Sears, or Dr. Bill as his “little patients” call him, is the father of eight children, three of whom are doctors (two pediatricians and one general practitioner) as well as the author of over 30 books on childcare, most notably the Baby Book considered by many to be the ultimate “how to” guide to raising your child. Dr. Bill is an Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine. Dr. Bill received his pediatric training at Harvard Medical School’s Children’s Hospital in Boston and The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto -- the largest children’s hospital in the world, where he served as associate ward chief of the newborn nursery and associate professor of pediatrics. Dr. Sears is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP) and a Fellow of the Royal College of Pediatricians (FRCP). Dr. Bill also is a medical and parenting consultant for BabyTalk and Parenting magazines. His informative Web site AskDrSears.com has thousands of parenting and child health topics. His newest book is called, The Healthiest Kid in the Neighborhood.

Comments

• BETTY | November 05, 2008, 9:37 AM CST

  I have an 8 yo grandson who has been medicated for 3 years. he still has many difficulties.He has been on at least 5 meds. Currently on vyvanse. Often seems uncomfortable in his on skin.

• TERRILEE MURPHY | February 03, 2009, 5:10 AM CST

  My son is 14 and he was on meds for ADD for6 years and with diet changes and adding a whole food supplement called Juice Plus+ and a good omega 3. Along with Dr Sears help he is off meds and doing great.

• ANONYMOUS | May 06, 2009, 6:21 AM CDT

  Thank you for the great information on omega 3 and the name NDD!! (The kids don't want to get that!!!)

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