A recent study has found that of every child in the same school grade level, the younger children are more likely to be diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) than children months older. Although these children are noticed and targeted first — undoubtedly for their less mature behavior, the increase in prescriptions for ADHD medications over the years shows that the psychiatric and pharmaceutical industry are continually lessening the conditions upon which a child can be diagnosed with ADHD.

Younger Children Targeted for ADHD Diagnosis

In British Columbia, the cutoff date for entering school in any year is December 31st, making children born in January the oldest in their grade and children born in December the youngest. Researchers looked at approximately 1 million children ages 6-12 diagnosed with ADHD and found that those born in December were 39 percent more likely to be labeled as having ADHD and 48 percent more likely to be treated with ADHD medication than those born in January.

“Our study suggests younger, less mature children are inappropriately being labeled and treated…it is important not to expose children to potential harms from unnecessary diagnosis and use of medications.”, study researcher Richard Morrow, of the University of British Columbia, said.

As rates of ADHD escalate each year, more and more children are stricken by not the ‘disorder’, but the medication that is prescribed to fix it. ADHD has become one of the most commonly diagnosed childhood disorders today, with an average of 9 percent of children between the ages of 5 and 17 being diagnosed with the disease each year. Over 18 million prescriptions were written for Adderall in 2010, up 13.4 percent from 2009. The massive increase has actually led to ADHD medication shortages, where pharmaceutical companies are actually struggling to acquire enough of the active ingredient used in the drugs to ‘treat’ the ADHD label.

Children are prescribed these behavior altering drugs, which alter their brain chemistry and lead to more serious problems like depression and drug dependencies later in life. Pharmaceuticals are only a temporary fix that do not address the fundamental issues behind ADHD, or any disorder for that matter. The lack of necessity regarding these pharmaceuticals has even sparked outcry against antipsychotics by mainstream health officials.

Aside from an epidemic of misdiagnoses, an improper diet has everything to do with children expressing what would be viewed as ADHD-like behavior. For parents with children labeled with ADHD, try the simple test of helping to alter your child’s diet.

Drug shortages seem to be igniting some problems for pharmaceutical companies and health officials – so much so that president Barack Obama previously issued an executive order demanding that the Food and Drug Administration address the shortages. Per Obama’s request, the FDA is taking action and continues to fight the drug shortages traversing the United States. Despite mostly being mostly manufactured in China with virtually no inspection, mega-tumor-linked pharmaceutical drugs are now being rolled out more than ever before.

It was only last month when we reported on the struggle pharmaceutical companies are going through with filling prescriptions for ADHD. More than 18 million prescriptions were written for Adderall in 2010, up 13.4 percent from 2009. While pharmaceutical companies would normally be thrilled about this, they are actually struggling  to acquire enough of the active ingredient used in the drug, Adderall, to ‘treat’ the ‘disease. This is leading to complications for the drug companies since they are unable to provide for the high demand. Of course the information showing that ADHD can be combated with simple dietary changes is of no concern to drug giants.

Now, the Food and Drug Administration has announced on Tuesday that they will be taking measures to increase the supply of two other drugs – Methotrexate, a drug for children with leukemia, and Doxil, a drug used to ‘treat’ various cancers. Until the FDA successfully increases available supplies of the original drugs, substitute drugs from overseas will be implemented for United States patients. Nearly half of all pharmaceutical drugs within the United States are already produced overseas, with a shocking 81% of the 3,765 unregulated foreign factories never having been inspected by the FDA.

Is an executive order from the president forcing the FDA to supply the nation with more pharmaceutical drugs the answer to the nation’s health crisis? It isn’t a pharmaceutical drug deficiency that is causing such health ailments, but rather a weak immune system deficient in vital vitamins and nutrients. There have been some great advancements in the field of nutritional science, but pharmaceutical drugs have become the only ‘solution’ as far as the medical establishment goes. Interestingly, There have been zero deaths as a result of vitamins and over 3 million deaths related to prescription drug use over the past 27 years.

But why are natural solutions – which actually have virtually no side effects and boost overall immunity – being ignored?

Turmeric alone is known to positively affect over 573 diseases and has even decreased brain tumor size in animals by 81 percent in more than 9 studies. So why hasn’t turmeric been recommended as an inexpensive and powerful solution, potentially saving billions in healthcare costs per year? Instead, government organizations like the CDC and the FDA push pharmaceuticals on the public while suppressing many health-promoting supplements like turmeric and vitamin D.

The pharmaceutical industry is prospering. With each drug comes an average of 70 negative side-effects, all of which are targeted by yet another pharmaceutical for treatment. It is an endless cycle of pharmaceuticals which must be taken for a lifetime. Advancements are great, but the current mainstream medial system is a complete failure.

A recent article published in the journal Pediatrics evaluated and compared dietary impact as a replacement for pharmaceutical medications in children labeled as having attention deficit hyperactive disorder. Researchers J. Gordon Millichap and Michelle M. Yee analyzed 70 studies and found that a diet heavy in fiber, folate, and omega 3 fats could be the key to helping children deemed to suffer from ADHD.

An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses Leads to Children Being Labeled as Having ADHD

ADHD-labeled children are not exactly diagnosed fairly. The ‘psychiatric bible’,  known as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, possesses the definition of every single existent disorder.  As the book becomes updated the criteria for labeling a person for many disorders becomes much lower. As the decades have gone by, the amount of disorders someone can possibly have has gone up by the hundreds, all due to the simple stroke of a pen in this manual. Thanks to this book, children are being diagnosed with ADHD if they act more hyper than ‘normal’ and show signs of being easily distracted.

The amount of children being diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactive disorder has risen dramatically over the past couple years, thanks to these questionable diagnosing techniques and profit-driven guidelines. In fact, there are so many children being diagnosed with this disorder that drug companies are actually struggling  to acquire enough of the active ingredient used in the popular drug to ‘treat’ the ‘disease’ — Adderall. This is leading to complications for the drug companies since they are unable to provide for the high demand.

The issues of ingesting pharmaceuticals self-perpetuates as the children are prescribed these behavior altering drugs, which alter their brain chemistry and lead to more serious problems like depression and drug dependency later in life. Even over the counter drugs which are much more accessible are dangerous. Pharmaceuticals are only a temporary fix that do not address the fundamental issues behind behavioral disorders.

Simple Dietary Changes is the Answer to Treating Children Labeled as Having ADHD

Aside from an epidemic of misdiagnoses, an improper diet has everything to do with children expressing ADHD-like behavior. For parents with children labeled with ADHD, try this simple test. Completely alter the child’s diet so that no fast food, junk food, and little processed foods are consumed. The average American diet is sickly full of foods no one in their right mind would consume if taste wasn’t at all a factor. America’s number one source of calories is cancer-inducing fructose, and with its consumption comes a less compliant, more hyper child. Removing this staple in many American’s diets will not only reduce rates of cancer, diabetes, and obesity, but will also positively effect children’s behavior.

Switching over from western diet to a diet rich in organic foods will undoubtedly ignite incredible change in behavior. Additives and artificial colors found in processed foosd are toxic to the body and should be avoided. These toxins, once consumed, alter brain function and cause children to be restless as a result of a shorter attention span. In addition, refined carbohydrates should be avoided as they only have negative effects on overall health.

As noted, a diet rich in fiber, folate, and omega 3 fats can specifically be consumed to hasten the positive response to a child diagnosed with ADHD. A diet rich in organic fruits and vegetables as well as whole grains should be consumed in order to attain these health-promoting nutrients. Put these dietary changes to the test, and you should see results almost immediately.

The amount of children being diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) has risen dramatically over the past couple years, thanks to questionable diagnosing techniques and profit-driven guidelines. Under normal circumstances the drug companies would be completely thrilled with the influx of ADHD-labeled children. But while they are definitely still excited from the profits being raked in, they are actually struggling  to acquire enough of the active ingredient used in the drug to ‘treat’ the ‘disease’, Adderall. This is leading to complications for the drug companies since they are unable to provide for the high demand.

Pharmaceutical Companies Struggle With ADHD Drug Shortages

ADHD has become one of the most commonly diagnosed childhood disorders today. An average of 9 percent of children between the ages of 5 and 17 are diagnosed with the disease per year, and the numbers are clearly not slowing. More than 18 million prescriptions were written for Adderall in 2010, up 13.4 percent from 2009. The amount of Adderall prescribed is not only the result of diagnoses, however. The drug has been touted for its concentration benefits so much that abuse of the medication is rampant. The sad part is these kids are often utilizing ‘legitimate’ reasons for taking the drug, in hopes of increasing test scores in school.

Why the drug industry and even president Barack Obama scramble in fear as to what might happen with this drug shortage is quite the mystery. The president has even issued an executive order demanding that the FDA address the shortages. It appears that an Adderall shortage is much more important than labeling genetically modified foods, which Obama promised to do back 2007.

Drug Shortages Need to Happen, But Not Due to Public Demand

But this shortage of drugs leaving kids with low or even no supply is probably the best thing that could happen to them. There is an incredible amount of children being misdiagnosed and then given mind altering drugs, to the point where even mainstream health experts are now speaking out against mental illness medications. The issue self-perpetuates as the children are prescribed these behavior altering drugs, which alter their brain chemistry and lead to more serious problems like depression and drug dependency later in life. Pharmaceuticals are only a temporary fix that do not address the fundamental issues behind behavioral disorders.

There simply needs to be a dramatic shift in how people are diagnosed today in order fix the wide array of drug issues this society faces. The profit-driven pharmaceutical industry works very well with the psychiatric community in medicating the public with disorders and health complications invented by man. The ‘psychiatric bible’,  known as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, possesses the definition of every single existent disorder.  As the book becomes updated the criteria for labeling a person for many disorders becomes much lower. As the decades have gone by, the amount of disorders someone can possibly have has gone up by the hundreds, all thanks to the simple stroke of a pen in this book.

If there is any chance for individuals to rid themselves of drug dependency, this system must change. Of course with the amazing awareness that is taking currently taking place within the alternative media, at least some of us are not falling into the pharmaceutical industry’s trap. But the handle the industry has on the majority of the population through massive advertising must be realized and must be resisted on a mass scale.

ADD and ADHD are among the most common diagnoses applied to young children and adolescents. The implications of such a diagnosis include a potential health risk, as most children in this category are prescribed behavior altering drugs with dependency-based reactions. Drugs like Ritalin and Adderall are oftentimes prescribed to children who continue to take them only to find that they are not producing any kind of solution to treat the root cause of neurological and behavioral disorders in general.

Mind Altering Drugs Lead Only to Negative Consequences

As of 2006, at least 4.5 million American children were said to have been diagnosed with ADHD, and the prevalence of behavioral disorders has been increasing. This is due in part to misdiagnosis, simply based on the fact that all children do not behave and act in the same manner. Some children may choose to act out of line for a number of reasons, but the stigma of a behavioral disorder is unfairly applied to them. In fact, half of all Americans will be diagnosed with at least one mental illness within their lifetime.

The issue self-perpetuates as the children are prescribed these behavior altering drugs, which alter their brain chemistry and lead to more serious problems like depression and drug dependency later in life. Even over the counter drugs which are much more accessible are dangerous. Pharmaceuticals are only a temporary fix that do not address the fundamental issues behind behavioral disorders. That is why even mainstream health officials are now speaking out against antipsychotics.

Numerous studies have linked diet choices to the appearance of ADD, ADHD, and other behavioral disorders in children and adolescents. Feeding children junk food, processed foods high in sugar, or even excessive amounts of grains have been found to produce all types of behavioral issues. Very recently, gluten consumption has also been linked to ADD and ADHD symptoms.

Altering the diet of a child or adolescent to create more of a balance while including proper nutrition will result in a boost of overall mental health and cognition. These dietary changes will also eliminate many of the apparent behavioral issues and mental dissonances within developing children. Not only can proper nutrition be much more effective than antipsychotics, but it will also be much safer in every aspect. Keep in mind that pharmaceuticals are responsible for millions of deaths, while vitamins are responsible for none. In fact, pharmaceuticals have led to more deaths than ever traffic fatalities.

More important to consider however, is the personal dynamic involved with each individual. Every person is different and develops in a unique way compared to those around them. Children who apparently act out or teenagers who do the same may simply be responding to some form of alienation or attempting to understand themselves better.

It is a tragedy how most doctors are quick to drop the hammer and declare that the individual has a disorder, only to prescribe dangerous and mind-altering drugs as a solution. Each individual needs to be handled differently and should be given the privilege of being counseled rather then being categorized as mentally unstable and coldly given a cookie cutter solution – a habitual trait that seems pervasive in the medical establishment today.

The debate has been raging over whether or not vaccinating your children is a health-conscious decision, with both sides seeking answers from medical research. A shocking new ongoing survey may have the answers that consumers are looking for. With over 7600 people participating in the survey so far, the stats are piling up. According to the Healthy Home Economist, unvaccinated children are ranking significantly higher on a number of health factors:

• Less  than 10 percent of unvaccinated children in the survey have allergies of any kind
• .2 percent suffer from asthma
• 1.5 percent have hay fever
• 2 percent have the autoimmune disorder neurodermatitis
• ADHD is present in only 1-2 percent of unvaccinated children in the survey
• Less than .5 percent had ever had middle ear infections; less than 1 percent had sinusitis

And the most groundbreaking result:

• Only FOUR children out of 7600+ total surveys reported having severe autism – and in all four cases, the mothers tested very high for mercury

Sources:

The Healthy Home Economist

Children’s health problems caused by air pollution, exposure to toxic chemicals and other environmental pollutants cost the United States $76.6 billion in 2008, a new study finds.

That was 3.5 percent of the nation’s total health-care costs that year, compared with 2.8 percent in 1997, said researchers from the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine and colleagues.

They examined the cost of childhood cancer and chronic conditions such as asthma, autism, attention deficit disorder, and intellectual disability linked at least in part to toxins and contaminants in the water, air, soil and food, as well as in homes and neighborhoods.

The costs included medical care and indirect costs such as lost work productivity among parents caring for sick children.

Among the main findings:

• Childhood cancer cost $95 million.
• Lead poisoning cost $50.9 billion.
• Autism cost $7.9 billion.
• Intellectual disability cost $5.4 billion.
• Exposure to mercury (methyl mercury) cost $5.1 billion.
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder cost $5 billion.
• Asthma cost $2.2 billion.

The study, funded by The Kresge Foundation, appears in the May issue of the journal Health Affairs.

“Left unchecked, these preventable environmental factors will continue to harm the health of our children and push up health-care costs,” study author Leonardo Trasande, of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, said in a journal news release.

“By updating environmental regulations and laws aimed at protecting the public’s health, we can reduce the toll taken by such factors on children’s health and the economy,” Trasande said.