Natural Treatments Summary Sheet

Through the years, many people have asked me about the best natural treatments for brain disorders. Here is a list of interventions that I have found helpful.

Dietary/Lifestyle Issues - These are very important. They can decrease the amount of medication needed.

• Many people with ADD do better on higher protein, lower "simple" carbohydrate diet
  
• Protein is found in meat, eggs, cheese, nuts, and beans
  
• Decrease the amounts of simple carbohydrates, such as sugar, corn syrup, honey, candy, white bread, white flour, white rice, potatoes without the skin, white pasta
  
• Eat more complex carbohydrates, such as fruits (oranges, tangerines, pears, grapefruit, apples, kiwi, but not grapes, dates or bananas) and vegetables
  
• Increase the amounts of Omega 3 Fatty Acids in the diet and through supplements. Omega 3 Fatty Acids are found in cold water white fish, such as tuna and salmon, walnuts, Brazil nuts, olive and canola oil
  
• Decrease artificial colors (especially red and yellow) and food additives (nitrites, msg, aspartane, etc.)
  
• Eliminate caffeine, nicotine
  
• Evening carbohydrates help sleep
  
• Intense aerobic exercise for 20-30 minutes 5-7 times a week
  
• Diagphragmatic breathing - deep breaths in and out, for anger and anxiety control
  
• Proper sleep (7-8 hours)
  

Amino Acids, Herbal Substances - for specific conditions these interventions can be helpful, but just do one at a time to see if it is indeed helpful for you or your child.

• SAMe (s-adenosyl methionine) 200mg a day, increase to 200mg twice a day, and increase by 200 mg a week up to 1,600 mg a day for depression, fibromyalgia, and focus
  
• Omega 3 Fatty Acids, evening Primrose oil + deep fish oil or Efalex Focus, Nature's Way, (omega-3-fatty acid supplement) 450 mg tab, 1rst 12 wks 4 twice/day w/food, then 1 twice/day (1/2 dose 5 and under)
  
• Tyrosine: 1,000-1,500mg for energy, focus, impulsivity (this is the amino acid precursor for dopamine)
  
• Phosphatidyl Serine: 100mg twice a day for 2 weeks then 100mg three times a day for memory (see the book Memory Cure for details)
  
• Gingko Biloba (Ginkoba, Ginkgold): 60-120mg twice a day for energy, concentration and focus (to enhance cerebral blood flow)
  
• Vitamin E 400-800 IU BID for memory
  
• Ibuprofen 200 mg BID for memory
  
• Pycnogenol (OPC grape seed or pine bark) 1mg/pound a day for concentration, focus and mental clarity.
  
• Gotu kola for memory
  
• Inositol: 12mg/day for depression and panic disorder, 18mg/day for OCD symptoms
  
• Tryptopohan: 1,000-3,000mg for sleep, depression, overfocus issues (this is the amino acid precursor for serotonin)
  
• DL-phenylalanine: 400 mg three times a day on an empty stomach for depression, energy and pain control (this is the amino acid precursor for norepinephrine)
  
• St. John's Wort (0.3% hypericin) 500mg twice a day for depression and overfocus issues (250 mg twice a day for children)
  
• Kava 60 mg 2-3 times a day, for anxiety, depression and insomnia (not more than for 3 months straight)
  
• Valerian extract, standardized, 300-500 mg for insomnia and anxiety
  
• Melatonin: 1mg to enhance sleep
  
• Octacosanol 2,000 micrograms (oil capsule) 2-4 capsules a day for brain injuries