ADD or ADHD? How about Candida, Diet and Dairy Allergy.

ADD and ADHD are commonly labeled on children or adults who lack attention.

ADD and ADHD, in my opinion, flat out does not exist.

Symptoms of ADD and ADHD are due to nutrient deficiencies, environmental toxins, inadequate nutrition and perhaps some genetic polymorphisms which block nutrients from making the needed reactions from moving forward in the human body. A classic example of a genetic polymorphism which blocks folic acid from working is MTHFR mutuations 677 or 1298.

In this consult, we initially discussed lack of attention due to a possible Kali Phos 6x deficiency as the father of the child was recommended to use homeopathy or cell salt therapy for his child.

In order to determine the actual cause of this 6 year old child's lack of attention, I began to seriously dig for information - and found what I was suspecting.

Classic Timeline of the child with "ADD/ADHD" along with my opinions of the reason:

1. Routine ear infections (dairy allergy most likely cause) ->
2. Antibiotics for ear infections (usually not a good idea to give antibiotics for ear infections unless known they are bacterial induced) ->
3. Overgrowth of Yeast occurs (antibiotics killed the beneficial bacteria leading to altered digestive pH, decreased biotin production and yeast grows)
4. Sugar cravings and refined carbohydrate cravings occur (due to yeast overgrowth)
5. Child walking on toes = stimming (likely due to dairy and wheat allergy - and yeast overgrowth)
6. Child not paying attention, lack of focus, hyper. (due to high sugar diet and acetylaldehyde toxin released from Candida)
7. Child frequently cold or sweating on head (due to hyperinsulinemic response triggered by high blood sugar levels which leads to very low blood sugar levels. This causes response by the body to release the fight or flight hormones which ends up causing hot/cold sweats.)

Lifestyle and Dietary Recommendations to help reduce Stimming, ADHD, ADD, Lack of Attention and Yeast or Candida Overgrowth and Ear Infections:

1. Remove all sugar from the home and do not buy anymore for a few months: Juices, Breads, Cookies, Sweets, Syrups, etc
2. Avoid Dairy for 2 weeks and likely for 6 months to reduce stimming and ear infections
3. Avoiding wheat and wheat-containing foods is very important as well as these are highly allergic - right along with Dairy products.
4. Read 'Is this Your Child?' by Doris Rapp, MD (see link below) to understand the powerful effects foods have on your child.
5. Eat protein with every meal and eat more frequent meals and healthy snacks throughout the day to balance blood sugar.

Laboratory Recommendations to help Pinpoint Nutrient Deficiencies, Food Allergies and Toxin Exposure (from Yeast and other common ones:)

1. Pediatric ION Profile by Metametrix: to determine nutrient deficiencies, yeast overgrowth and common exposures.
2. Food Allergy Blood Test by Metametrix: to determine highly reactive foods in your child's diet and remove them. (not as accurate as a Food Elimination Diet but a lot easier and faster).
3. MTHFR Mutations: talk with your doctor about ordering the MTHFR genetic mutation panel. It is very common and if your child has it, you need to know. If he tests positive for it, let me know and we can discuss what to do next. Do test for it.

Nutrient Recommendations to help support the elimination of yeast overgrowth, digestive repair and general support:

1. Microbial Defense: consider having your child take 1 capsule in the evening before bed to help support the eradication of yeast. Side effects of nausea and gas may be experienced which is why I recommend taking it at night before bed. If your son doesn't swallow capsules yet, you should try and teach him how. Simply place the capsule at the back of the throat with his head up and at the same time. Consider staying on one capsule a day every day for 2 months. Then stop completely.
2. Optimal Vitamin C Powder: supports the breakdown of acetylaldehyde toxin released from candida. It also tastes good so it may be a good alternative than juice. Mix 1 scoop in a large glass of water. Play with the amount as your son may prefer to have it weaker vs stronger. Try yourself first to find a good tasty ratio. Use for 2 months and then use as he enjoys it. It is always good to take vitamin C.
3. Liquid Molybdenum: for 2 months, consider taking 3 drops at the same time of taking Microbial Defense to help process the acetylaldehyde toxin which is released from candida. You may mix in a bite of applesauce or in Optimal Vitamin C Powder (it tastes good). The taste is not very strong so it should be easy to hide in something or he even may take it directly by mouth followed by some water or food. Stop using after 2 months.
4. ProBiota 12 Powder: consider giving your child 1/4 teaspoon of Probiota 12 Powder after dinner for 1 week. Then after 1 week, increase to 1/2 teaspoon until the bottle is gone. Once the bottle is gone, switch to 1/16 to 1/8 teaspoon and stay on that amount long term. This supports the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut which is necessary to reduce the stronghold the yeast has currently.
5. Saccharomyces Boulardii: consider giving 2 capsules in the AM with breakfast and 2 more in the evening with dinner. Saccharomyces Boulardii is a beneficial yeast which helps crowd out the non-beneficial yeast. Do for 2 months and then stop completely.
6. Only use again if your child gets on antibiotics for any reason in the future. While taking antibiotics, it is important to take 2 capsules of Saccharomyces Boulardii daily anytime along with 1/4 teaspoon of ProBiota 12 Powder 2 hours after taking the last dose of antibiotics.
7. L-Glutamine Powder: mix 1/2 scoop in a glass of filtered water or applesauce to support the intestine's healing. I suspect damage to the small intestine from the antibiotics and acetylaldehyde. Damaged small intestinal walls leads to food allergies and nutrient deficiencies. Give once a day on an ongoing basis. Best time to give this is before bed so the L Glutamine can heal the small intestine during the evening without being interrupted by food. Do this for 2 months and then reduce to taking L Glutamine Powder once a week after that to maintain small intestine health.
8. Trace Mineral Complex: I think it is going to be easier to give 1 capsule of Trace Mineral Complex and B Complex Plus than it is taking 4 capsules a day of larger capsules found in Kid's Optimal Multivitamin. Trace Mineral Complex has all the key trace minerals chelated for maximum absorption. Provide 1 capsule daily for 1 month and then 1 capsule every two days thereafter on an ongoing basis. Take with food or without - doesn't matter. Also can mix in food if needed. Take anytime of the day or night - doesn't matter when.
9. B Complex Plus: take 1 capsule in the AM with breakfast to support healthy moods, detoxification and breakdown of many toxins such as acetylaldehyde. B vitamins are key for energy, mood, attention and focus - along with detoxification. Never take B vitamins within 5 hours of bed. He may benefit from taking another capsule of B Complex Plus right after school. Make sure he gets a snack right after school as well to keep blood sugar stabliized. This is a common time for kids to crash and crave sugar as they have not eaten since lunch.
10. Optimal Fish Oil Liquid: Consider giving 1 teaspoon daily with food anytime of day. He may like the taste enough to just take directly by mouth - my children do. If not, mix in with some food or applesauce but ideally just give straight and follow it with a drink of water with Optimal Vitamin C or a bite of food or treat. (not sugar). Fish Oil is needed to support his brain development and protect his cell membranes from damage. If he prefers the Fish Oil Capsules, then you may use those. Have him take 2 fish oil capsules daily with food instead of the fish oil liquid. The fish oil capsules are more potent than the oil so they are preferred but I am not sure how easy it is to get him to swallow capsules which is why I recommend the oil.

Kid's Optimal Multivitamin: If you can get him to take 3 capsules at breakfast and 3 at lunch, then it is ideal to take Kid's Optimal Multivitamin instead of taking B Complex Plus and Trace Mineral Complex. You may also open the capsules and mix in applesauce or some tasty food or drink such as the Optimal Vitamin C powder.

This seems like a lot of information and it is - do what you feel you are comfortable with and then add to it.

Many of the recommendations above are temporary so these only require about 2 months and then you can stop. These temporary nutrients are:

• Saccharomyces boulardii
• Microbial Defense
• Liquid Molybdenum

Please do post your questions and comments below. Feedback and opinions are welcomed.

In health,

Dr Ben