VOLUME 10, NO.8-9                                                                           SEPTEMBER 22, 2005

NJ ADD/ADHD ADULT NEWSLETTER

ADD ADULT SELF HELP SUPPORT GROUP

FOR ADD/ADHD ADULTS

AND THEIR SIGNIFICANT OTHERS

MEETING: THE NEXT MEETING OF THE ADD ADULT SELF HELP SUPPORT GROUP WILL BE ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2005 AT 7:30 PM AT MONMOUTH MEDICAL CENTER, COMMUNITY MEETING ROOM , LONG BRANCH, NJ.  GO TO THE MAIN RECEPTION DESK AND GET DIRECTIONS.  THE TOPIC WILL BE:  RELEASING  THE  POWER OF SILENCE AND STILLNESS  HIDDEN BY ADD/ADHD.

MEDICATION:  Early in 2006 a new ADHD medication will become available called ATTENACE which contains modafinil or Provigil.  Attenace will not be classified as a controlled substance which means there can be phone-in refills.  The side effects will be the same as those experienced with Provigil. 

OMEGA-3s and 6s IN THE NEWS: 

                RESEARCH: In a research study by A.Richardson and P.Montgomery, The Oxford-"Durham Study: A randomized controlled trial of dietary supplementation with fatty acids in children with developmental coordination disorder, Pediatrics, 2005, 115:1360-1366, it was reported that daily intake of  EPA(558mg), DHA (174mg), gamma-linoleic (60) and vitamin E (9.6mg) resulted in improved reading and spelling skills as well as ADHD scores when compared to the placebo group given olive oil capsules.  The study ended after three months and the improvements remained. 

                COMMENTS: Although ADHD was not the target of the treatment with Omega-3s and 6s, the effects were still dramatic for the children with ADHD.  There was an 85% compliance rate; so the kids tolerated the omega oils fairly well (80% omega-3s from fish; 20%omega-6s from primrose oil) fairly well.

AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION RECOMMENDATIONS FOR OMEGA-3 INTAKE

                Patients with chronic heart disease were encouraged to consume about 1 gram of EPA+DHA per day, preferably from fatty fish.  Consult your physician if you chose to use capsules instead of the fish.

                Patients who need to lower triglycerides are recommended to consume 2-4 grams of EPA+DHA per day as capsules under a physician's care.

                (For research information supporting this advice see the April 2005 issue of Chest).

COMMENTS:  If you are taking medications to lower triglicerides, you may be able to switch from those medications to the fish oil after consulting with your medical doctor.  The fish oil will likely improve your ADD as well as your heart health.

RESEARCH: In a research study by D.Schab and N. Trinh, Do artificial colors (AFC) promote hyperactivity in children with hyperactivity syndromes?  A meta-analysis of double-blind placebo-controlled trials,  Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 2004, 25:423-435, the preponderance of data supported the conclusion that artificial food colors increased hyperactivity in hyperactive children at least as rated by parents.

COMMENTS: Here again is some confirmation of what many parents report to me.  The major problems seem to be associated with avoiding the artificial food colors since they are so socially accepted.  One wonders if our schools are unwittingly supporting the food color industry by allowing these adulterations to school lunches and snack machines. 

                                                             PEACE!!!   Bob

This newsletter is available free as an email at www.DrLoPresti.com.  It is offered to readers only for informational and educational purposes and does not constitute medical or psychological advice; always consult your doctor.