Doris Rapp, MD
Presentation + Questions & Answers
For ADD-Holistic Discussion Group
http://www.HolisticMed.Com/add/
Date: Sun, 5 Jul 1998 21:28:17 -0400 (EDT)
From: Mark Gold
Subject: Introducing next week's ADD-Holistic Expert
Hi! I want to thank Steve Waldstein, RSHom (NA) for visiting the
ADD-Holistic list and providing important information about the treatment
of ADD with Classical Homeopathy. I think that we were very fortunate to
have such an experienced practitioner help us out (at least I feel that
way!). I hope that many of you will consider using Classical Homeopathy
for ADD and/or other conditions. (See Steve's web page for a list of
practitioners.) I believe that Steve is planning to stay with us for a
little while longer to answer questions. I look forward to hearing any
experiences from list members regarding the Feingold Program, Classical
Homeopathy, or the other important ideas posted to the list by George,
Ron, and others.
Perhaps you saw the first post from our next list expert. If not, here is
some introductory information:
Doris J. Rapp, MD., F.A.A.A., F.A.A.P., is a board-certified environmental
medical specialist and pediatric allergist. She is clinical assistant
professor of pediatrics at the State University of New York at Buffalo.
She is the founder of the Practical Allergy Foundation in Buffalo and is a
past president of the American Academy of Environmental Medicine. She the
the author of "Is This Your Child's World?", a comprehensive book for
identifying substances which causes illness and behavioral changes in
children and for providing treatment ideas.
Dr. Rapp was one of the honored speakers at the THE FIRST WORLD CONFERENCE
ON NON-PHARMACOLOGICAL THERAPIES FOR ADD & ADHD in New York City last
month. Please join me in welcoming Dr. Rapp to the discussion group!
[clap, clap, clap, clap, clap]. :-)
I expect that Dr. Rapp's first post will be tomorrow (Monday) sometime.
Dr. Rapp is new to the Internet and AOL, so please be patient if
posts don't go exactly as planned. :-)
Best Wishes,
- Mark
mgold@holisticmed.com
Holistic Healing Web Page
http://www.HolisticMed.com/
Date: Mon, 06 Jul 1998 10:55:29 -0600
From: Ron Hoggan
Subject: ADD Dr. Rapp
Hi Dr. Rapp,
It is, indeed, an honour to have you contribute to this list. Mark's
introduction failed to include mention your many publications in the peer
reviewed literature, but the introduction of a person with so many
achievements makes such oversights understandable.
I am, as you may have gathered by now, a big fan of yours. I think Mark is
to be congratulated on getting you to agree to visit this forum, and I'm
sure we are all grateful. I'm also sure we will learn a great deal from
your comments.
I have taken the liberty of appending a list from Medline of Dr. Rapp's
publications. It is an impressive list.
Welcome, Dr. Rapp.
best wishes,
Ron Hoggan
Hajewski C, et al. [See Related Articles]
Implementation and evaluation of Nursing Interventions Classification and
Nursing Outcomes Classification in a patient education plan.
J Nurs Care Qual. 1998 Jun; 12(5): 30-40.
PMID: 9610012; UI: 98272932.
Hsiao KK, et al. [See Related Articles]
Serial transmission in rodents of neurodegeneration from transgenic mice
expressing mutant prion protein.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1994 Sep 13; 91(19): 9126-9130.
PMID: 7916462; UI: 94377505.
Sun T, et al. [See Related Articles]
T-cell receptor expression in lymphoid neoplasms. A comparison of
phenotypic expression and genotyping.
Ann Clin Lab Sci. 1993 Nov; 23(6): 423-432.
PMID: 8291897; UI: 94121480.
Rapp DJ. [See Related Articles]
Diagnostic testing and immunotherapy for allergy.
JAMA. 1988 Jul 15; 260(3): 341-342. No abstract available.
PMID: 3379740; UI: 88245496.
Rapp D. [See Related Articles]
The reception of Freud by the British press: general interest and literary
magazines, 1920-1925.
J Hist Behav Sci. 1988 Apr; 24(2): 191-201.
PMID: 3286754; UI: 88229045.
Glines D, et al. [See Related Articles]
Allergies and problem students.
Health Educ. 1988 Apr; 19(2): 34-38. No abstract available.
PMID: 3152219; UI: 90153423.
Rapp D. [See Related Articles]
Management of drooling.
Dev Med Child Neurol. 1988 Feb; 30(1): 128-129. No abstract available.
PMID: 3371566; UI: 88225818.
Rapp RP, et al. [See Related Articles]
Comparative accuracy of five intravenous-fluid controllers.
Am J Hosp Pharm. 1984 Dec; 41(12): 2634-2641.
PMID: 6517087; UI: 85094296.
Rapp DJ. [See Related Articles]
Management of allergy-related serous otitis.
Am J Otol. 1984 Oct; 5(6): 463-467.
PMID: 6542753; UI: 85094517.
Weiss L, et al. [See Related Articles]
Metastatic inefficiency in mice bearing B16 melanomas.
Br J Cancer. 1982 Jan; 45(1): 44-53.
PMID: 7059464; UI: 82135271.
Rapp DJ. [See Related Articles]
Diet and hyperactivity.
Pediatrics. 1981 Jun; 67(6): 937-938. No abstract available.
PMID: 7232062; UI: 81198711.
Rapp DJ. [See Related Articles]
Sublingual provocative food testing.
Ann Allergy. 1981 Jan; 46(1): 44. No abstract available.
PMID: 7006470; UI: 81107653.
Rapp DJ. [See Related Articles]
Abdominal pain.
Am J Dis Child. 1980 Oct; 134(10): 998. No abstract available.
PMID: 7424865; UI: 81036726.
Rapp D. [See Related Articles]
Drool control: long-term follow-up.
Dev Med Child Neurol. 1980 Aug; 22(4): 448-453.
PMID: 7409336; UI: 81004875.
Rowe JA, et al. [See Related Articles]
Tantrums: remediation through communication.
Child Care Health Dev. 1980 Jul; 6(4): 197-208.
PMID: 6447551; UI: 81002237.
Rapp DJ. [See Related Articles]
Food allergy treatment for hyperkinesis.
J Learn Disabil. 1979 Nov; 12(9): 608-616. No abstract available.
PMID: 541570; UI: 80161509.
Rapp DL, et al. [See Related Articles]
Meldreth dribble-control project.
Child Care Health Dev. 1979 Mar; 5(2): 143-149.
PMID: 455589; UI: 79211593.
Rapp D, et al. [See Related Articles]
Kinetics of milk lipoprotein lipase. Studies with tributyrin.
Eur J Biochem. 1978 Nov 15; 91(2): 379-385. No abstract available.
PMID: 32030; UI: 79085684.
Rapp DJ. [See Related Articles]
Food allergy.
Med J Aust. 1978 Jul 29; 2(3): 119. No abstract available.
PMID: 362140; UI: 79052683.
Rapp DJ. [See Related Articles]
Does diet affect hyperactivity?
J Learn Disabil. 1978 Jun; 11(6): 383-389. No abstract available.
PMID: 670829; UI: 78219462.
Rapp DJ. [See Related Articles]
Double-blind confirmation and treatment of milk sensitivity.
Med J Aust. 1978 May 20; 1(10): 571-572.
PMID: 355807; UI: 78246428.
Rapp DL, et al. [See Related Articles]
The effects of d-amphetamine on temporal discrimination in the rat.
Psychopharmacology (Berl). 1976 Dec 21; 51(1): 91-100.
PMID: 827781; UI: 77103283.
Rapp DJ, et al. [See Related Articles]
Allergy and chronic secretory otitis media.
Pediatr Clin North Am. 1975 Feb; 22(1): 259-264. Review. No abstract
available.
PMID: 1096055; UI: 75195569.
Keaten JH, et al. [See Related Articles]
Medical staff bylaws.
J Med Assoc Ga. 1973 Dec; 62(12): 423-426. No abstract available.
PMID: 4773607; UI: 74085134.
Rapp DJ, et al. [See Related Articles]
Review of chronic secretory otitis and allergy.
J Asthma Res. 1973 Jun; 10(4): 193-218. Review. No abstract available.
PMID: 4598112; UI: 74169483.
Rapp DJ, et al. [See Related Articles]
Review of chronic secretory otitis and allergy.
J Asthma Res. 1973 Jun; 10(4): 193-218. Review. No abstract available.
PMID: 4583068; UI: 74010058.
Rapp DJ. [See Related Articles]
Water as a cause of angio-edema and urticaria.
JAMA. 1972 Jul 17; 221(3): 305. No abstract available.
PMID: 5067806; UI: 72208243.
Rapp DJ. [See Related Articles]
Quality or quantity allergy.
Ann Allergy. 1972 Jun; 30(6): 364. No abstract available.
PMID: 5029835; UI: 72193335.
Rapp DJ. [See Related Articles]
Management of the child with allergic asthma and rhinitis.
Pediatr Clin North Am. 1969 Feb; 16(1): 257-269. No abstract available.
PMID: 4387959; UI: 69118299.
Date: Mon, 06 Jul 1998 11:23:00 -0600
From: Ron Hoggan
Subject: ADD Re: add-holistic-digest V1 #28
Hi Dr. Rapp,
I have recently completed a thesis in which I have postulated that
increased intestinal permeability, in combination with digestive enzyme
deficiencies, can result in ADHD. This process involves the absorption of
certain peptides into the blood. Since some of these peptides have been
shown to have opioid activity, while others have been shown to be
psychoactive, both hyperactivity and its absence, in the context of ADD,
may thus be explained. Additionally, the reduced arousal of some parts of
the brain, perhaps leading to reduced attentional capacity, may also find
explanation in the opioid function of these peptides. I have gone on to
postulate that chemical and food additives may find their way across the
intestinal barrier because of this food-induced increased intestinal
permeability.
While I have not read all of your publications, my hypothesis would appear
to be consistent, although parallel, to your work. (I am not a clinician. I
am a school teacher, so my work is primarilly theoretical.)
- Have you looked into the possibility of intestinal permeability? Are
you aware of any other work in this area?
- I know you have looked at issues surrounding dairy products and
behaviour. Do you also consider the possibility of gluten intolerance among
your patients?
- If so, because reactions to gluten may be delayed by 6 to 72 hours, how
do you explore this possibility?
- Are you aware of any tests related to digestive enzyme deficiencies in
ADD? (I have been unable to find any reports on this issue.)
- Are you aware of any work with ADD subjects where opioid blockers, such
as Naloxone, have been tried? (I am aware of the work in autism, but can
find no reports of such work in the context of ADD.)
I have many more questions, but will limit them as others will, no doubt,
also have many questions for you.
Thank you for visiting this list.
best wishes,
Ron Hoggan
Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 15:01:45 EDT
From: DrRappMD@aol.com
Subject: ADD Doris J. Rapp, M.D., FAAA, FAAP, FREM
7/5/98
I wish to thank Mark for his nice introduction. During this e-mail
discussion, my hope is that the information will help each of you. This is for
you or for someone you love. As much as I can, I will try to show you how to
find safer, easier, and faster ways to possibly relieve your child's
inability to pay attention or concentrate, his/her tendency to be impulsive
and possibly to be hyperactive. Yes, these characteristics, also, are a part
of the lives of many adults; so this is written to help ALL ages. If this
medical shoe fits, by all means, wear it!
These are the symptoms that are characteristic of ADD and ADHD: They are
presently "in vogue" diagnoses that are often recognized by parents and a
child's teacher at school. It is not unusual for someone to suggest that an
affected child be seen by a physician so that Ritalin (an activity modifying
drug and Class 2 narcotic) can be used to quiet the youngster. Many parents
are looking presently for non-drug answers to effectively relieve their
child's problems.
I practiced typical pediatric allergy for over 20 years and environmental
medicine for another 20-some years. During that period of time, I saw many,
many children and some adults who had ADD or ADHD. There are many things that
parents can do to recognize the full scope of such problems; and there are a
number of fast, easy, effective methods that might resolve such problems
without the use of drugs, such as Class II narcotics or other behavior-
modifying drugs.
How can you recognize if your child or you, as an adult, have ADD or ADHD?
In addition to the above-mentioned symptoms, most ADD-affected individuals
have a long list of other complaints. These may happen all the time or only at
certain times for no apparent reason. But, let's start at the beginning:
Who is apt to have an allergic component to his/her ADD, and what are some of
the common causes?
If you yourself have allergies or there are allergies in your family (hay
fever, asthma, eczema, or hives), the cause of any ADD in related loved ones
might be due to an allergy. I hope to discuss this aspect of this topic to
show you how you can figure out the cause and often eliminate it, preferably
without the use of drugs.
The most common causes can be your favorite foods, dust, molds, pollen, pets,
and/or chemicals.
How can you possibly tell if ADD is due to an allergy by just looking at a
child or adult?
There are some telltale clues related to the appearance:
- Look for red earlobes and wiggly legs just prior to a sudden burst of
activity.
- Look for a spaced-out look or a distant look or glassy, glazed eyes. At
times, almost a demonic look is evident in the eyes.
- Look for abnormally red cheeks, dark eye circles and bags under the eyes.
These clues are often, but not necessarily associated with the typical signs
of characteristic hay fever, asthma, throat clearing, or itchy skin.
Affected individuals tend to complain of headaches, muscle aches, weak legs,
aching joints, not wanting to be touched, fatigue, irritability, bedwetting
(after the age of five years), feelings of aggression or hostility, or an
inability to think clearly or to sit quietly. Although some of these symptoms
are not commonly thought of as being related to allergies, they certainly are
evident in many affected children and adults. These symptoms can often be
easily treated with some of the newer methods to diagnose and treat allergies.
The physicians who recognize the fuller picture are called "environmental
medical specialists." Call the AAEM (American Academy of Environmental
Medicine) for the environmental medical specialist nearest to you:
1-800-LET-HEAL (or 1-800-538-4325).
How can you find the cause of ADD or ADHD, quickly and inexpensively?
It is easy! Do the recommended diet found in either of my books, entitled Is
This Your Child? or Is This your Child's World? (Call 1-888- 895-7277.) The
diet excludes the highly allergic foods, such as milk, wheat, eggs, chocolate,
corn, sugar, orange juice, food coloring, preservatives and additives. Don't
be alarmed! There are many fruits, vegetables, meats and grains that you can
eat! Where else can you find an answer so easily and quickly? Adults,
however, are also very, very frequently sensitive to coffee, cola, tea,
alcohol, and tobacco. Adults, therefore, must also exclude these from their
diet. If the diet is tried on the whole family, several family members may
find the root cause of certain chronic medical problems!
During the first few days, those who have a food sensitivity may feel much
worse. Then, in three to seven days, about 66% of hyperactive children will
become quiet; and, in addition, many of the other complaints listed above will
also disappear or be improved.
Then, during the second week, you add each food--one at a time--back into the
diet, until you find the specific food that causes each individual symptom.
It is different foods for different children, but the same foods tend to cause
problems in the same family.
Let me explain: Milk might cause asthma in a father, nose congestion in a
mother, bedwetting in one child, constipation in another and hyperactivity or
ADHD in another.
If you will stop everything and not read another word until you do something,
I can promise you some possible answers right away! Make a list of your
child's (and your own) very favorite foods and beverages. What would you or
your child have difficulty living without for a week? Do it, and at the end of
the next page, I will discuss it. If you simply want a fast fix with a drug
covered by your insurance, don't read anymore. This discussion is created to
help you find answers so drugs can possibly be eliminated from your mode of
therapy.
What else can you do?
Well, foods have been shown in medical studies to cause up to 66% of
hyperactivity. Dust, molds, pollen and chemical odors definitely are also 'a
piece of the ADD or ADHD pie'. Sure, emotional problems need attention; but
these are often secondary to being told repeatedly that 'you did something
wrong', that 'you are dumb, lazy' or 'enjoy being sick and getting attention'.
The aim is to find out the reasons why you are the way you are and to
eliminate or avoid the cause, if that is possible, so no symptoms exist and no
medicine is required.
So what can you do, other than a diet, that is fast, easy and practical? Will
anything possibly help right away?
The answer is YES!
A quality air-purifier can certainly help to diminish some of these problems.
(Call 1-888-895-7277).
Remember: The key is to find the cause of the ADD or ADHD and eliminate it.
How can that be done?
Learn to check each of the following:
- Check inside each room, at home or work or school. Where does the change
occur in the way someone feels, acts, looks? If it occurs mainly inside some
building, this would suggest that dust, molds or something else inside
buildings was the cause.
- Do the same, and compare the inside with the outside. If the change occurs
mainly outside buildings, think of pollen, molds (if it is damp and rainy),
factory or construction pollution.
- Do the same before and after meals to see if the cause is a food or a
beverage. If worse before meals, think of hypoglycemia or low blood sugar; if
worse after meals or within 10 to 60 minutes, think of what you just put in
your mouth.
- Also, check before and after the exposure to chemical odors; but this time,
look for changes within just seconds to a few minutes, because chemicals
produce their bad, deleterious effects quickly. Keep asking if the smell of
something is causing the changes mentioned above and below.
Now, the location of a change provides important clues; but there are some
other factors that specifically help to pinpoint exactly what is causing ADD
or ADHD or the other symptoms so characteristic of allergies.
I refer to this as, "The Big 5." Learn to check for these, and you will
definitely find out the cause of many illnesses in yourself and your loved
ones. Your body will provide answers, but you must pay attention to the clues
and tap into the system! Here is how to do this:
If you want the answers, just keep checking, as indicated below. It takes
time, but it costs next to nothing in money. Get a pad and paper, and keep
them handy. You need some record-keeping.
- FIRST: Check how your child or you look before and 30 to 60 minutes after
being inside.
- SECOND: Check to see if you feel or behave or act differently under any of
the above circumstances.
- THIRD: Check your child's writing, as well as your own. If any type of
change takes place, it means the brain has been affected; and it might well
account for some of a child's or adult's learning or memory problems.
- FOURTH: Check your pulse to see if it increases more than 20 points or
becomes irregular after eating or one of the above exposures. If there is a
significant change, be assured your whole body and heart circulation have gone
into the alarm mode. The smoke alarm has gone off. The body is saying,
something is not quite right.
- FIFTH: If you have asthma, check the breathing with the use of a Peak Flow
Meter. This is nothing but a hollow tube of plastic with a gauge on it. Merely
put your lips tightly around the mouthpiece, and blow as hard and fast as you
can. If there is a drop over 15% (200 to 165), you might very well have
located the cause of your asthma. If the cause can be eliminated, you may no
longer need medications. If your child does not have asthma or problems
breathing air from the lungs (or wheezing, coughing with exercise and
laughter, shortness of breath or reversible airway disease), there is no need
to check your child's breathing. You can sometimes find the answers that
everyone has missed for years by simply doing just this. Call 1-888-895-7277
to buy a Peak Flow Meter in either the adult or child size ($24.95).
So, in SUMMARY:
The answers for environmentally-related illnesses, such as ADD and ADHD, are
often found by simply paying attention to the "Big 5" discussed above in
relation to the location or time when certain changes occur. Keep asking if
the problems are most evident:
- inside
- outside
- after eating
- after smelling something.
In the next few days, more practical information will be provided. I hope you
will have some answers by the end of this week. If you do what I suggest and
you have allergies, you WILL find answers!
Before closing, I offer the following example from my book IS THIS YOUR CHILD?
of an aggressive ten-year-old boy who had uncontrollable tantrums and
increased activity related to his ADHD.
Donald first saw us when he was ten years old. He had many allergic relatives
and obvious typical allergies. His parents were particularly concerned
because he had episodes when he spit and bit himself and other people. He had
temper tantrums as often as five times a day. He could not sit through a meal,
a television show, or a game. His teachers noted that he could sit still in
the morning, but that after lunch, his school performance and behavior
deteriorated.
Four months before we saw Donald, his other tried the Multiple Food
Elimination Diet. Within a week, he was 75 percent better, and during the
second week, his parents found that wheat, chocolate, and sugar made him
hyperactive and disagreeable. After avoiding these foods for three months his
mother called to tell us he was "a joy." Friends could not believe he was the
same child. His teachers were delighted and very pleased. His Conner's
Hyperactivity Score decreased from an abnormal high of 23 to a normal 13
within one week! Shortly after treatment, he went to a state fair with his
family; and they said that it was the first time in Donald's entire life that
they had ever had a good time with him.
When given a Provocation allergy test for mold in our office, he suddenly
became extremely violent. He kicked and was ready to hit anyone who came
within range. He was negative, uncooperative, and inordinately angry. After
a tiny drop of the correct dilution of mold allergy extract was placed in his
arm, he returned to the pleasant child that he had been during the many
previous hours of allergy testing. Most children act normal in the office
until they are tested for some item to which they are exceedingly sensitive.
Then, the change becomes obvious to anyone.
Typical of many families with an allergic child, his parents soon became
expert in the detection of the major foods that caused him difficulty. After
they learned how to watch for early clues of allergy, they noted that ten
minutes after he ate a bowl of cereal, he would become bouncy, unable to
concentrate, irritable, and hyperactive.
His most remarkable response occurred when we used Provocation/Neutralization
allergy testing for wheat. He scribbled when asked to write. Then, he tore
the paper up after attacking it vigorously with the pencil. He crumpled what
was left of the paper and began to cry. Then, in exasperation, he pounded
the table with his fist. He was so angry at one point that he even punched
the air. As the reaction to the test subsided, he held his head with his
hands and complained of a headache. A few minutes after one drop of the
correct wheat allergy Neutralization extract was given, he acted perfectly
calm and entirely normal. He said he'd felt "mad" when he was being tested
for wheat.
Two months after his treatment, his mother wrote to tell us that their lives
had changed. Donald was responding very well to his allergy extract therapy,
and they could "live" with their son again. His muscle aches, joint pains,
headaches, and leg aches had subsided. His intestinal symptoms and associated
red earlobes made it very easy for them to tell that he was reacting to a food
or some other allergenic substance. His dark eye circles and sleep problems
disappeared. They were all delighted that his previous physicians' diagnoses
had been wrong. His problems were not emotional.
Five years later this boy continues to be 95 percent better. On one
occasion, he stopped all his treatments for several months because he had been
so well for several years. His original symptoms slowly recurred. He resumed
his allergy therapy and quickly and dramatically improved again.
Dr. Rapp's web site is http://www.drrapp.com/.
Dr. Rapp's e-mail address is
drrappmd@aol.com.
Dr. Rapp is available for out-of-town, comprehensive phone consultations. The
Arizona phone number is: (602) 905-9195. Call for more information.
Dr. Rapp has available at a very low cost the following:
IS THIS YOUR CHILD?
IS THIS YOUR CHILD'S WORLD? *
THE IMPOSSIBLE CHILD
"ENVIRONMENTALLY SICK SCHOOLS" (90-minute video)
*The cost for these is extremely low (and even lower in quantities of 10,
which could be provided to the local schools and libraries!) because Dr. Rapp
wants to "get the word to the world" that allergies can be the cause of
certain behaviors and/or learning problems. She wants the parents and medical
professionals to take an active role in determining the causes of
environmental illness
Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 17:16:13 EDT
From: DrRappMD@aol.com
Subject: Re: ADD Re: add-holistic-digest V1 #28
For Ron Hoggan:
Answers for Queries:
1. Intestinal permeability is a big factor in all allergic individuals whohave
food sensitivities. I have not reviewed the work in this area. Brostoff from
England has a large book in which he discusses this. It may be in his smaller
book for the public which you can call Ciny and get. Call 716-875-0398 The
new work in autism is most intriguing and in a few months we should have a few
answers. No doubt that the brain and the gut are connected, to a much greater
degree than we thought.
2. Dairy products are a problem for many, many individuals. Gluten intolerance
can';t be helped, but grain allergies surely can be. Dr Jean Munro is a
authority on this. Here is her fax # for England.
3. Those who know about food allergy or sensitivities always tell everyone to
watch for at least 72 hours. Many of the intestinal complaints take that long
to show their ugly heads- colitis- Crohn's etc
4.I personally have not reviewed the work with opioid blockers but I am aware
of it. I have not tried naloxone. I know about the autism resarch and know of
no similar work with the ADD children. I do know that simple digestive enzymes
and correcting the candida overgrowth certainly is a piece of the ADD pie.
Wish I knew more but I don't. If I find any more info, I"'ll let you know.
Thanks for writing.
Doris Rapp
Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 17:22:17 EDT
From: DrRappMD@aol.com
Subject: Re: ADD Dr. Rapp
Thanks for the resource info. Some of the scientific referecnes for many of
the symptoms are listed in my books which anyone can get -- at a great
discount-- by wrcalling 1 888 895 0398 . It certainly will give many insight
about ways to help problems, even epilepsy and nephritis, for example.
Thank for your help,
Doris J Rapp, MD
Date: Tue, 07 Jul 98 18:30:54 PDT
From: "David E. Birren"
Subject: ADD Reply to DrRapp
I have been lurking on this list for a few weeks, having been invited by
Mark Gold to participate. My particular interest related to ADD is how to
overcome the mental chaos that interferes with mindfulness meditation. The
condition called "monkey mind" is commonly encountered in meditation, but
with practice most people are able to subdue, at least to some extent, the
monkeys. In my experience this has been impossible without the aid of
Ritalin. I have more to offer on this subject, but I'm fairly busy and
won't be prepared to speak up much for perhaps another several weeks.
Right now I'd like to reply to Dr. Rapp.
I'm a 48-year-old white male with two teen-aged children, a post-graduate
education and a professional consulting career. I was diagnosed as having
ADD about two years ago and have been taking Ritalin in several forms since
then. To put it simply, that medication has changed my life. For the
first time in my memory, I am able to pay attention the way "normal" people
seem to.
However, I'm interested in non-drug alternatives that will predictably
enable me to live with a fairly clear mind. I have a number of questions
for Dr. Rapp. But before I comment on her post, I'd like to offer the
disclaimer that, although some of my comments may appear contentious, they
are in the spirit of inquiry - the sort of scientific approach that seeks
to disprove hypotheses on the road to building a credible theory that
explains empirical reality.
Dr. Rapp said:
>Who is apt to have an allergic component to his/her ADD, and what
>are some of the common causes?
>
>If you yourself have allergies or there are allergies in your family (hay
>fever, asthma, eczema, or hives), the cause of any ADD in related
>loved ones might be due to an allergy....
>The most common causes can be your favorite foods, dust, molds,
>pollen, pets, and/or chemicals.
I have two allergies: to penicillin and to cats. Both of these are quite
recent, with the cat allergy developing after several years of not having a
cat, after having had cats for most of my life. Over all the years I can
remember, I have never noticed any change in my mental chaos other than
that caused by Ritalin. So in my experience, neither food nor allergy nor
cleaning products has any relation to it. This is not to dispute Dr. Rapp,
but to say that I can't relate to the above statement, nor to the many
related statements that follow.
>How can you possibly tell if ADD is due to an allergy by just looking
>at a child or adult?
>
>There are some telltale clues related to the appearance:
>+ Look for red earlobes and wiggly legs just prior to a sudden burst
>of activity.
My earlobes get red when I'm excited, and my legs wiggle in response to an
increase in adrenalin - provided that my impulse to burst out in activity
is frustrated. If I can act, my earlobes don't get red, and my legs don't
wiggle.
>+ Look for a spaced-out look or a distant look or glassy, glazed eyes.
>At times, almost a demonic look is evident in the eyes.
I was spaced out during most of grammar school and high school. I spent
many a happy hour in a world of my own. I doubt it was allergy-related. I
don't know about demonic looks.
>How can you find the cause of ADD or ADHD, quickly and
>inexpensively?
>
>It is easy! Do the recommended diet found in either of my books,
>entitled Is This Your Child? or Is This your Child's World?
I'm tempted to call this statement self-motivated and simply bad advice.
I've read quite a bit on the subject of ADD (including books, articles, and
web pages of all sorts). The consensus among doctors and researchers seems
to point toward several possible causes, several of which involve
imbalances in the brain's chemistry that cannot be measured directly. Is
Dr. Rapp saying that following a diet (of her own recommendation) will
provide a diagnosis that has eluded mainstream science? Or am I missing
something?
I'm not saying there's nothing to this. I *am* saying that it is too easy,
and perhaps even irresponsible, to provide such a glib response on such a
complex issue. The diet may in fact be the Holy Grail of ADDers, but - as
I advise my children - if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
>This discussion is created to help you find answers so drugs can
>possibly be eliminated from your mode of therapy.
And for this reason I'm interested. I might just try it myself!
I look forward to further explanations of HOW diet works to clarify the
mind and regulate the behavior caused by what is considered to be a problem
with neurotransmitters.
Respectfully and with curiosity,
Dave Birren
Date: Tue, 7 Jul 1998 23:58:35 -0400 (EDT)
From: Mark Gold
Subject: Re: ADD Reply to DrRapp
>To: "add"
>From: "David E. Birren"
>Subject: ADD Reply to DrRapp
>Date: Tue, 07 Jul 98 18:30:54 PDT
>>It is easy! Do the recommended diet found in either of my books,
>>entitled Is This Your Child? or Is This your Child's World?
>I'm tempted to call this statement self-motivated and simply bad advice.
>I've read quite a bit on the subject of ADD (including books, articles,
>and web pages of all sorts). The consensus among doctors and researchers
>seems to point toward several possible causes, several of which involve
>imbalances in the brain's chemistry that cannot be measured directly. Is
>Dr. Rapp saying that following a diet (of her own recommendation) will
>provide a diagnosis that has eluded mainstream science? Or am I missing
>something?
Dave,
Thanks for posting! I look forward to hearing more about your
experiences. I will try not to be too contentious myself :-) Here's how I
look at the issue:
I believe that mainstream science tends to miss the simple solutions that
can help a large percentage of people. There was a recent study in
Germany showing that a *very* high percentage of childhood migraines and
cluster headaches can be eliminated by removal of food additives and
certain other foods. A very simple and permanent solution for many who
suffered tremendously or who had been given pain relieving drugs. I
believe there has been similar research related to behavior and diet (and
ADD), but I'll let our scientific experts speak to this.
I do not think that changes in diet and exposure to certain toxic
chemicals will cure *everyone's* ADD symptoms. But Dr. Rapp has many years
of clinical success in treating ADD and other behavioral disorders (and
her techniques are being adopted by many practitioners). I think that
the documented successes (including video documentation of some of the
treatments) of Dr. Rapp and others using her techniques are
strong evidence that the techniques help many people.
It may be difficult for Dr. Rapp to distill her extensive resource book
(which I highly recommend by the way) into a few posts. If you take the
time to read through the book, "Is This Your Child's World?", there is a
section which tries to simplify diagnosis of factors that cause ADD
symptoms and other behavioral disorders. But there is also alot more
information which could be very useful for more complex cases and for
preventive medicine.
My experience with Holistic Medicine leads me to hypothesize that
childhood ADD can be treated more successfully with a single technique
such as Classical Homeopathy, Feingold Program, Dr. Rapp's program,
Neurofeedback, etc., but adult onset ADD may be complicated (at least in
some cases) by other factors and that one or more of these techniques (or
other techniques I discuss on my web page) may lead to significant
improvements, but other types of treatments or changes may be needed as
well. Hopefully, as more and more ideas and techniques are discussed,
more of us will find *and post about* success with either one technique or
bits and pieces of several techniques.
By the way, I have an appointment with a Classical Homeopath (from Steve's
web page) for Friday. I'm excited! :-)
Best Wishes,
- Mark
mgold@holisticmed.com
Holistic Healing Web Page
http://www.HolisticMed.com/
Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 01:37:05 EDT
From: DrRappMD@aol.com
Subject: Re: ADD Reply to DrRapp
It is difficult for most people to quiet their mind for meditation.
Concentrating on the breath helps. I never tried to use Ritalin so I
don't`know but I just am not too happy about Class II narcotics. Never
meditate when tired. Try early AM before the worries of the day get to you. If
your mind is worried or stressed it is tough to meditate.
Sorry I can't tell yu more. Things that cause allergy can make your mind most
unsettled. Get one of my books, es[pecially Chapter 3 in the book Is This Your
Child's World (It is the same for adullts. That will provide some answers as
to whether some of the monkey mind is related to an allergy or not. Thanks for
writing, Doris J Rapp
Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 09:19:07 -0500
From: "Linda E. Love"
Subject: ADD Question for the doctors
On behalf of my grandson, my daughter would like to ask the following questions:
My 5 year old son was diagnosed with mild ADHD. Is there a "mild" form?
His ADHD seems to only affect his ability to stay focused. He isn't running
around a lot, but does fidget some. Is this typical of some ADHD children?
We put him on a dosage of 5mg of Ritalin, but the school said that there
wasn't much (if any) improvement, so we took him off. Should we try again at
a higher dosage?
TIA
Lisa
Date: Wed, 08 Jul 1998 09:02:08 -0700
From: Fran/Perry Atkinson
Subject: ADD Re: add-holistic-digest V1 #30
Dr. Rapp, I have an 11 year old daughter who began having wild behavior
changes similiar to the ones on your video tapes as a toddler. I was
criticized by family and others who thought my parenting skills were
lacking. I couldn't understand why such a sweet child would become so nasty
and out of control. I charted everything she did and discovered that her
episodes occurred only when she had not eaten for about 3 hours. I had
often wondered why we had such problems at family gatherings. It turned out
that we adults were not paying too much attention to what the kids were
eating. Since there was so much food around, I thought she was eating. In
the excitement of cousins and activity she was really just grabbing a cookie
now and then.
What I have learned about my daughter is that if she eats about every
two-three hours her behavior is normal. It doesn't seem to matter what she
eats. Even sugar doesn't seem to bother her unless she is running close to
the time limit and if I can get some other food in her along with the sugar
or within a short (about 20 minutes) period of time. In fact, ugar can "buy
some time" until we can get to food. On car trips, if there is no food in
the car and she starts to "crash" I can give her a stick of gum which will
hold her over until we can stop for a snack. Although my child has
allergies, there doesn't seem to be a connection between the allergies and
the emotional swings.
As she has matured she does have more control over her actions. Now when
she goes beyond the limits she may cry or tremble. She frequently believes,
during these times, that others are picking on her and that she has no
friends. Whatever she perceives during this time she believes is reality
even after she has eaten and leveled out. She is finally learning to
recognize for herself what is happening and know that she needs to eat.
Because I was lucky enough and persistant enough to "Make the Connection"
she is an honor student in the gifted program who is loved by teachers and
peers. She knows how important eating is to her and rarely misses her
snacktime.
When I have talked with doctors about this, their only response is, "Well,
if it works, it won't hurt anything."
What is happening to my daughter? I can't seem to find anything written on
this. I think I don't know what to look for. Of course, it seems like it
must be related to hypoglycemia, but I can't find anything there that
relates to violent behavior.
There must be many other children who suffer this same way but whose parents
have not found the cause. As a special education teacher turned school
counselor I'm very frustrated that when parents need help they are given
something to control the symptoms rather than looking for the cause. In the
last year I have found two other children who respond to food or the lack of
food in the same way. Can you point me toward the research in this area?
I am in a position to help parents find solutions. I share your information
with them as well as my own, but it would be helpful to me to know if there
is research about my daughter's situation.
Thank you for the great work you do. You're one of my heros. Fran
Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 15:13:56 -0400
From: George von Hilsheimer
Subject: ADD Dr. Rapp and Diet
Dr. Rapp is only repeating what environmentalists taught her (she signed my
copy of her book, To Dr Von "who knew all of this years ago") actually she
said "centuries", but....
Dr. Rapp has offered a PRINCIPAL of investigation in diet. Generally, the
principal is known as the scientific method. You collect data and you record
events. She has helped organize food so that the process isn't (as I've
seen some doctors try to get patients to do) just apricots bananas
cauliflower doughnuts echinacieae flour grapes hyacynths i, j, k ...
I learned today that the Vulvodynia Foundation has found SALYCILATES. No
mention of Dr. Lockey, not even of Dr. Feingold; of course, no mention of
the German biochemists who first taught us that salycilates were dangerous.
Well, foundations are not in the business of writing history, but my
experience is that it is well to recount the roots, people are more likely
to take the 'new' to you knowledge seriously.
Dr. Rapp's method is provocation, experimentation, proving, trial and error,
empirical science. Unfortunately, all the hot shot lab tests, skin tests,
etc fail to measure up to eating the food and finding out.
By the way, David Birren, if you had been in my class in school you would have
been kept late and forced to learn some manners. All that hoity toity stuff
is ok in college seminars, but this is the real world and you will find that you
get better answers with a bit more kindness and courtesy. Of course, I date
myself by this concern; but Dr. Rapp is no more self motivated that any of
the rest of
us. Her principals arise from a deep fountain of environmental science and she
doesn't pretend to have discovered a hot shot new secret. Sniff!!!
Dr. von Hilsheimer
Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 19:39:21 EDT
From: DrRappMD@aol.com
Subject: Re: ADD Re: add-holistic-digest V1 #30
In a message dated 98-07-08 12:00:17 EDT, you write:
> Dr. Rapp, I have an 11 year old daughter who began having wild behavior
> changes similiar to the ones on your video tapes as a toddler. I was
> criticized by family and others who thought my parenting skills were
> lacking.
YOU ARE RIGHT!
> I couldn't understand why such a sweet child would
>become so nastyand out of control. I charted everything she did and
>discovered that her episodes occurred only when she had not eaten for about
>hours.
SMART MOM
> I had often wondered why we had such problems at family gatherings. It
>turned out
> that we adults were not paying too much attention to what the kids were
> eating. Since there was so much food around, I thought she was eating. In
> the excitement of cousins and activity she was really just grabbing a cookie
> now and then.
YOU ARE RIGHT
> What I have learned about my daughter is that if she eats about every
> two-three hours her behavior is normal.
DOES SHE HAVE HYP0OGLYCEMIA?
> It doesn't seem to matter what she
> eats. Even sugar doesn't seem to bother her unless she is running close to
> the time limit and if I can get some other food in her along with the sugar
> or within a short (about 20 minutes) period of time. In fact, ugar can "buy
> some time" until we can get to food. On car trips, if there is no food in
> the car and she starts to "crash" I can give her a stick of gum which will
> hold her over until we can stop for a snack. Although my child has
> allergies, there doesn't seem to be a connection between the allergies and
> the emotional swings.
Maybe it is simply hypoglycemia and not an allergy.
> As she has matured she does have more control over her actions. Now when
> she goes beyond the limits she may cry or tremble. She frequently believes,
> during these times, that others are picking on her and that she has no
> friends. Whatever she perceives during this time she believes is reality
> even after she has eaten and leveled out. She is finally learning to
> recognize for herself what is happening and know that she needs to eat.
Give her vegetables and proteins- not sugar snacks every 1-2 hours.
> Because I was lucky enough and persistant enough to "Make the Connection"
> she is an honor student in the gifted program who is loved by teachers and
> peers. She knows how important eating is to her and rarely misses her
> snacktime.
She will be that way again.
> When I have talked with doctors about this, their only response is, "Well,
> if it works, it won't hurt anything."
> What is happening to my daughter? I can't seem to find anything written on
> this. I think I don't know what to look for. Of course, it seems like it
> must be related to hypoglycemia, but I can't find anything there that
> relates to violent behavior.
Read my book on hypoglycemia and get Carlton Frederick's book.
> There must be many other children who suffer this same way but whose parents
> have not found the cause. As a special education teacher turned school
> counselor I'm very frustrated that when parents need help they are given
> something to control the symptoms rather than looking for the cause. In the
> last year I have found two other children who respond to food or the lack of
> food in the same way. Can you point me toward the research in this area?
Children who are worse after eating often have allergies, if before its
hypoglycemia and if it is both times, they often have both. Treat the
allergies and both tend to disappear. read references in my book on this topic
please.
> I am in a position to help parents find solutions. I share your information
> with them as well as my own, but it would be helpful to me to know if there
> is research about my daughter's situation.
> Thank you for the great work you do. You're one of my heros. Fran
thanks- Dr D.
Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 19:45:07 EDT
From: DrRappMD@aol.com
Subject: Re: ADD Question for the doctors
In a message dated 98-07-08 13:21:50 EDT, you write:
<< Linda E. Love wrote:
>
>> On behalf of my grandson, my daughter would like to ask the following
>> questions:
>>
>> My 5 year old son was diagnosed with mild ADHD. Is there a "mild" form?
>>
>> His ADHD seems to only affect his ability to stay focused. He isn't running
>> around a lot, but does fidget some. Is this typical of some ADHD children?
YOUR CHILD MERELY HAS ADD- READ MY BOOKS
> The name ADHD is just a label. Your son has the issues he has. Like all
> children labeled ADD or ADHD he has his own unique symptoms. Of the
> hundreds of ADD kids I have treated, each has their own unique symptoms
> and the differences between them is much more than the commonalities.
> That is why homeopathy usess different remedies for each of these
> people.
I CANNOT AGREE. THERE REALLY ARE A CLUSTER OF VERY TYPICAL SYMPTOMS BUT EACH
CHILD HAS A SLIGHT VARIATION. THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT HOMEOPATHICS HELP BUT
WHAT I HAVE DONE FOR 40 YEARS CERTAINLY WORKS TOO AND NOT TIL RECENTLY DID I
EVEN CONSIDER A HOMEOPATHIC SO THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO APPROACH THESE PROBLEMS.
I FEEL WE NEED TO HELP PARENTS FIND THE CAUSE AND ELIIMINATE IT SO THERE IS
NOTHING TO TREAT.,
Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 19:50:44 EDT
From: DrRappMD@aol.com
Subject: Re: ADD Dr. Rapp and Diet
In a message dated 98-07-08 15:13:00 EDT, you write:
> Dr. Rapp's method is provocation, experimentation, proving, trial and error,
> empirical science. Unfortunately, all the hot shot lab tests, skin tests,
> etc fail to measure up to eating the food and finding out.
I CANNOT AGREE-- IF A DROP OF MILK OR FOOD COLORING CAN TURN A CHILD INTO A
WILD DARLING AND ANOTHER WEAKER DROP OF THE SAME ALLERGY EXTRACT MAKES THE
CHILD CALM, IT IS BETTER THAN EATING THE FOOD OR EQUALLY AS GOOD. FOR THE
FIRST TIME WE CAN PINPOINT CAUSE AND EFFECT RELATIONSHIPS AND ANYONE WHO
DOUBTS THIS SHOULD SEE MY VIDEO ENVIRONMENTALLY SICK SCHOOLS -- 888 895 7277
> By the way, David Birren, if you had been in my class in school you would have
> been kept late and forced to learn some manners. All that hoity toity stuff
> is ok in college seminars, but this is the real world and you will find that you
> get better answers with a bit more kindness and courtesy. Of course, I date
> myself by this concern; but Dr. Rapp is no more self motivated that any of
> the rest of us. Her principals arise from a deep fountain of environmenta
l
> science and she doesn't pretend to have discovered a hot shot new secret
.
> Sniff!!!
GEORGE YOU REALLY WERE LEAP YEARS AHEAD- YEARS AGO. BLESS YOU FOR YOUR MANY
CONTRIBUTIONS.
Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 21:50:25 -0400 (EDT)
From: Mark Gold
Subject: ADD Questions for Dr. Rapp
Dr. Rapp,
Thank you for your posts. I have a question that I was hoping you could
address.
In some cases, a child or adult may have noticable ADD symptoms or
behavioral disorders such as hyperactivity on infrequent to fairly
frequent basis. In such cases, it seems that the observational techniques
that you mentioned could be extremely helpful in locating the
allergy/intolerance/toxicity factor(s) which lead to the symptoms.
However, how would you suggest a person address the following situations:
- The behavior, inability to focus, lack of attention, etc. is pretty
much constant. If the problem doesn't change much, but is there, how
does one locate the allergy/intolerance/toxicity factor(s)?
- I realize that in many cases, the offending items may be easily
discovered by observational method. But how does one go about
recognizing the more offending items which are:
- ubiquitous -- found in a large number of products and therefore
the person is rarely *not* ingesting them to see a difference.
- causing chronic toxicity such that it is not so much an allergic
reaction, but medium-term or long-term exposure is causing
symptoms and health damage.
Do these types of situations suggest the need to visit an Environmental
Medicine Specialist? If so, how does one locate a quality practitioner?
Thanks again for taking the time to learn AOL Mail and posting to the
group!
Best Wishes,
- Mark
mgold@holisticmed.com
Holistic Healing Web Page
http://www.HolisticMed.com/
Date: Thu, 9 Jul 1998 12:30:10 EDT
From: DrRappMD@aol.com
Subject: Re: ADD Homeopathy Question
In a message dated 98-07-08 21:53:05 EDT, you write:
> A person who visits a Classical Homeopath might (before the visit) be
> taking a numbers of possible substances:
> 1. Herbs
> 2. Vitamins
> 3. Minerals
> 4. Amino Acids
> 5. Pharmaceuticals
> 6. Other Supplements (e.g., green drinks, vandyl sulfate, etc.)
> I have heard that it is better to avoid other treatments (unless
> absolutely necessary) while taking homeopathic remedies. My questions
> are:
> 1. Is the practice relating to this issue consistent between Classical
> Homeopaths, or is there some variation between practitioners?
THERE IS CERTAINLY A VARIATION. SOME SAY OPNE THING- OTHERS SAY SOMETHING
ELSE. SOME CSAY CONTINUE ALLERGY EXTRACTS, SOME SAY STOP THEM. SOME SAY ONLY
ONE HOMEOPATHIC REMEDY WORKS; SOME SAY YOU CAN USE A MIX. I AM IN THE MIX
SCHOOL BUT IDEALLY I THINK ONE REMEDY AT A TIME IS BEST. YOU WORK WITH WHAT
HELPS, FASTEST, EASIEST AND MOST INEXPENSIVELY!
> 2. Which of the items do you generally recommend not taking when using
> homeopathic remedies?
I USE ALL OF THEM , INDIVIDUALIZED FOR EACH PATIENT.
> 3. When you have had success treating children with ADD, have some of
> them been on ritalin or similar drugs? And if so, when do they
> eliminate the drug? Before, during or after homeopathic treatment?
IF THEY REALLY NEED THE DRUG, THE PARENT CAN TELL WHEN THEY "RUN OUT OF GAS".
i TELL THEM TO START TO TAPER WITH THE PERMISSION OF THE DOCTOR WHO ORDERED IT
WHEN THEY FIND THEY CAN'T SEE WHEN A DOSE IS LATE OR MISSED. I USE MY
TREATMENTS WITH THE HOMEOPATHIC AND IT SEEMS TO WORK BUT HAVE DONE NO STUDIES
TO TELL WHAT IS DOING WHAT. I DON'T START WITH HOMEOPATHICS. I DO THE DIET
FIRST, BUILD UP THE IMMUNE SYSTEM WITH NUTRIENTS, CLEAN UP THE HOUSE AND
IMPROVE THE DIET. THESE THINGS OFTEN DO THE TRICK WITHOUT ANYTHING ELSE.
Date: Thu, 9 Jul 1998 12:59:06 EDT
From: DrRappMD@aol.com
Subject: Re: ADD Questions for Dr. Rapp
In a message dated 98-07-08 21:53:17 EDT, you write:
> 1. The behavior, inability to focus, lack of attention, etc. is pretty
> much constant. If the problem doesn't change much, but is there, how
> does one locate the allergy/intolerance/toxicity factor(s)?
THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. IT IS AN EVERYDAY EXPOSURE IF IT IS A
SENSITIVITY. IF YOU HAVE TEN NAILS IN YOUR SHOE AND TAKE OUR FIVE YOU STILL
LIMP. CLEAN UP YOUR HOUSE, YOUR DIET, GET ON NUTRIENTS AND DO ALLERGY TESTING.
IF THE LATTER IS DONE RIGHT, IT MEANS THAT YOU CAN SEE CAUSE AND EFFECT
REKLATIONSHIPS IN SECONDS TO MINUTES. PROVOCATION/NEUTRALIZATION ALLERGY
TESTING IS ONE WONDERFUL ANSWER.
> 2. I realize that in many cases, the offending items may be easily
> discovered by observational method. But how does one go about
> recognizing the more offending items which are:
IF I TAKE A TWO HOUR HISTORY, I CAN USUALLY TELL FROM THAT WHAT THE MOST
LIKELY CAUSES ARE. THEN YOU GET RID OF WHAT YOU CAN BY AVOIDANCE, MAKE A FEW
CHANGES, AND DO THE P/N TESTING. YOU'LL EASILY SEE WHAT HAS BEEN MISSED. IF
YOU DON'T THEN I GO INTO ORGANIC TEST AND AMINE ACID TESTS, PARASITES,
CANDIDA, MERCURY LIVER FUNCTION, ETC
> a) ubiquitous -- found in a large number of products and therefore
> the person is rarely *not* ingesting them to see a difference.
YOU CAN'T AVOID EVERYTHING. SEE MY VIDEO ENTITLED ENVIRONMENTALLY SICK
SCHOOLS 716 875 0398 IF THE BARREL IS TOO FULL, YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS. YOU ONLY
NEED TO GET YOUR EXPOSURE TO PROBLEM THINGS BELOW THE LEVEL THAT CAUSES
SYMTPOMS AND YOU ARE OK, EVEN WITH A LESS THAT TOLDERANCE LEVEL EXPOSURE.
> b) causing chronic toxicity such that it is not so much an allergic
> reaction, but medium-term or long-term exposure is causing
> symptoms and health damage.
ELIMINATE THE CAUSE AND THEN AVOID FUTURE EXPOSURES AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. BUILD
UP THE IMMUNE SYSTEM AND DETOX IF YOU CAN ORALLY, HOMEOPATHICALLY, USING THE
METHODS OUTLINES IN MY IS THIS YOUR CHILD'S WORLD BOOK-- 716-875-0398 OR DR
KROHN'S OR DR ROGER'S BOOKS.
IT IS NOT EASY IF THE BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM AND MANY ORGANS ARE AFFECTED
BUT YOU DON'T HAVE ALOT OF CHOICES. SOMETIMES REMOVAL OF AMALGAMS OF MERCURY
IS A MIRACLE, OTHER TIMES THE TOLERANCE LEVEL IS STILL TOO HIGH AND THERE IS
NO CHANGE IN SPITE OF ALL THE MONEY AND PAIN. YOU JUST PECK AWAY UNTIL YOU GET
THE ORGANS WORKING AGAIN. SOMETIMES EMOTIONAL FACTORS ARE BLOCKING. GET A
GROUP OF PRAYER PEOPLE PRAYING. YOU CALL IN ALL THE TROUPS- GET THE ATTITUDE
RIGHT. PROBLEM IS THE BRAIN DOES NOT ALWAYS FUNCTION WELL WHEN YOU HAVE THIS
ILLNESS, THE MONEY IS GONE AND YOUR SUPPORT SYSTEM IS LACKING. WHEN THIS
HAPPENS YOU CAN'T DO AN AWFUL LOT BUT YOU DO WHET YOU CAN AND PRAY HARDER.
Do these types of situations suggest the need to visit an Environmental
Medicine Specialist? If so, how does one locate a quality practitioner?
YES AN EM SPECIALIST CAN DO P/N TESTS AND THESE SHOW CAUSE AND EFFECT
RELATIONSHIPS. CALL 215-862-4544 FOR NEAREST ONE
Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 23:17:24 EDT
From: Hetwoman@aol.com
Subject: Re: ADD Question for the doctors
In a message dated 98-07-08 15:21:05 EDT, you write:
<< The gold standard for objectifying ADD is a continuous performance test -
the most widely sold one is the TOVA, Test of Variables of Attention. >>
My son recently had the TOVA tests. One was audio and one was visual. He
didn't complete the visual one because he was too impulsive, but he did do
well on the audio, still should some impulsivity but not as bad. He began his
neurofeedback training yesterday and I am really nervous about it. He is said
to have "mild to moderate abnormal QEEG. It is all so complicated to me that
I am really nervous. He seemed more relaxed today - they are starting on the
right side and doing some relaxation work. Then they will move on to the left
side of the brian where his troubles lie. He seems to be weak in the visual
areas. If anyone can explain anymore, I would be most grateful. I have more
info from the reports if you need. Thanks.
Date: Thu, 9 Jul 1998 13:15:28 EDT
From: DrRappMD@aol.com
Subject: Re: ADD Question for the doctors
> My son recently had the TOVA tests. One was audio and one was visual. He
> didn't complete the visual one because he was too impulsive, but he did do
> well on the audio, still should some impulsivity but not as bad. He began his
> neurofeedback training yesterday and I am really nervous about it. He is said
> to have "mild to moderate abnormal QEEG. It is all so complicated to me that
> I am really nervous. He seemed more relaxed today - they are starting on the
> right side and doing some relaxation work. Then they will move on to the left
> side of the brian where his troubles lie. He seems to be weak in the visual
> areas. If anyone can explain anymore, I would be most grateful. I have more
> info from the reports if you need. Thanks.
SORRY I AM NOT KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR TEST. MY APPROACH IS TO
FIND THE CAUSE AND GET RID OF IT OR TREAT FOR IT.THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO
APPROACH VARIOUS ASPECTS OF ADD BUT AT LEAST 66% RESPOND TO A DIET AND MANYH
MORE TO REDUCTION OF DUST AND MOLDS AND POLLEN AND CHEMICALS. SOME SURELY NEED
PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELING, OTHERS NEED NUTRITION AND YEAST TREATMENT. ONE CAN'T
SAY WITHOUT DOING A THOUROUGH EVALUATION . IF THAT IS WHAT YOU WANT, CALL 602-
905-9195 AND SEE IF THERE ARE OTHER PIECES TO YOUR CHILD'S PIE OR OTHER
APPROACHES THAT MIGHT BE JUST WITH OR IN PLACE OF WHAT YOU ARE DOING. IF MY
DIET CLEARS IT UP IN 3-7 DAYS, ITS FAST EASY AND INEXPENSIVE? WHAT NOT TRY
IT?
Date: Thu, 9 Jul 1998 22:03:48 EDT
From: PEllis8107@aol.com
Subject: Re: ADD Question for the doctors
Dear Dr Rapp:
I am a clinician who is somewhat familiar with the research supporting and not
supporting treatments effective in addressing ADD/ADHD. When you said that
"66%" respond to dietary changes, you captured my interest. How did you come
to this finding?
I draw your attention to one research project using what I would call
respectable methodology. Dr Bonnie Kaplan at the Univ of Calgary supported the
idea that there is a link between dietary improvements and behavior
improvements in ADHD children. She conducted a double-blind study in which
ADHD preschoolers with known allergies were placed on diets without additives,
chocolate, MSG, caffiene, and other substances known to cause allergic
reactions for the children. As a result of the diet, 10 of the 24 students
improved by 25% as rated by established behavior rating scales. The results
are promising, but are far short of 66%. This study also picked children who
were known to have allergies, already a subset of the total population of ADHD
children. Improvements of 25% are also encouraging but far short of a "cure".
Do you know of any peer reviewed, well designed (with reasonable controls)
research that improves on this percentage?
P. Ellis
Date: Fri, 10 Jul 1998 12:34:07 -0600
From: Ron Hoggan
Subject: ADD Re: add-holistic-digest V1 #32
Hi Dr. Ellis,
Dr. Rapp, I'm sure, will offer a more complete response to your post.
However, there are a couple of your comments that were of particular
interest to me:
> I am a clinician who is somewhat familiar with the research supporting and not
> supporting treatments effective in addressing ADD/ADHD. When you said that
> "66%" respond to dietary changes, you captured my interest. How did you come
> to this finding?
> I draw your attention to one research project using what I would call
> respectable methodology. Dr Bonnie Kaplan at the Univ of Calgary supported the
> idea that there is a link between dietary improvements and behavior
> improvements in ADHD children.
I presume you are referring to:
Kaplan, B., McNicol, J., Conte, R., Moghadam, H. (1989). Dietary
Replacement in Preschool-Aged Hyperactive Boys. Pediatrics. 83(1), 7-17.
Kaplan et al. clearly state that they did not include gluten containing
grains as test substances. They do so in recognition that this may
constitute a deficiency in their methodology.
In subsequent work:
Crawford, S., Kaplan, B., Kinsbourne, M., (1994). Cortex. 30 (2), 281-292.
Kaplan and her co-workers report evidence of a familial association between
autoimmunity and ADHD, as well as learning disabilities. They also report a
familial association between Crohn's disease and ADHD.
> She conducted a double-blind study in which
> ADHD preschoolers with known allergies were placed on diets without additives,
> chocolate, MSG, caffiene, and other substances known to cause allergic
> reactions for the children.
But gluten and, if memory serves, some other common allergenic substances
were not considered in their exclusions. If intestinal permeability is a
factor in food allergies, then the failure to examine these entities
impugns their results, as elevated IgA and IgG gliadin serum antibodies
have been reported in from 2.5% (Catassi et al.(1994). Coeliac disease in
the year 2000: exploring the iceberg. Lancet 343(8891), 200-203. )to 15%
(Arnason et al.(1992)Do Adults with high gliadin antibody concentrations
have subclinical gluten intolerance? Gut . 33(2), 194-197.) of random
populations.
As I remember the Kaplan et al. report, they excluded dietary substances on
the basis of the parents' sense of what would exacerbate behaviour. I do
not remember the basis on which allergies were determined, but I do
remember that when I read that report, I questioned the validity of their
approach. I will try to find a copy of that paper again, and provide
further comment on this issue.
> As a result of the diet, 10 of the 24 students
> improved by 25% as rated by established behavior rating scales. The results
> are promising, but are far short of 66%. This study also picked children who
> were known to have allergies, already a subset of the total population of ADHD
> children. Improvements of 25% are also encouraging but far short of a "cure".
Of course, the application of a pharmacological paradigm is often
problematic in dietary interventions. For example, symptoms of Omega 3
deficiency can be very slow developing, and equally slow to respond to
supplementation. In such a case, a double-blind/cross-over is more likely
to confuse the issue than shed light upon it.
> Do you know of any peer reviewed, well designed (with reasonable controls)
> research that improves on this percentage?
Perhaps Dr. Rapp is aware of some such work. I am not.
best wishes,
Ron Hoggan
Date: Sat, 11 Jul 1998 16:41:20 EDT
From: DrRappMD@aol.com
Subject: Re: ADD Reply to DrRapp
I am new at this E mail stuff and cannot find letter to respond.I keep losing
the cursor!
Date: Thu, 9 Jul 1998 13:20:52 EDT
From: Cpperwmn@aol.com
Subject: ADD Question for the doctors
Hi,
Writers have claimed cures for AD/HD, and that has left me feeling a little
confused. I was under the impression that AD/HD is a disorder as opposed to a
disease.
My understanding of a disorder is it is a (for descriptive brevity) genetic
malfunction, such as the Trisomy disorders, or cerebral palsy, which I
understand to be incurable (though both can be greatly aided). Whereas, I
understand disease to be an attack on the (a) systems by a foreign body, such
as bacteria or virus, which are (potentially) curable.
Could someone please explain where AD/HD fits in to all this? Or, if I'm way
off base with my 'understandings', please clue me, too.
Thanks!
Copper
Date: Sat, 11 Jul 1998 16:50:30 EDT
From: DrRappMD@aol.com
Subject: Re: ADD Question for the doctors
I hope this is your letter Copper. I am new at this E mail and cna't find
cursor. As for question. I don't care if you classify it as a disease or a
disorder. You can definitely help ADHD with diet, with nutrients, with
homeopathics, with chriopractic, with allergy extract. You can take your pick.
It is "curable" in many, quickly- sometimes not so easiy but it sure can be
helped. Get my book is This Your Child lr Is This Your Child's (or your own)
bWorld- call 716 875 0398. Get the Sick Schools Video. Get ready to be
pleasantly surprised.
Date: Sat, 11 Jul 1998 16:56:33 EDT
From: DrRappMD@aol.com
Subject: Re: ADD Question for the doctors
Read the referencesin my book. I just took children on Ritalin, not
preselectged for anything else and found that 66^ had allergy, 66% responded
to diet in one week. OShea found the same. J of learning Disability. My
hyperactivity book goes over the literature. The studies quoted in my book by
Soothill and Eggar found the same. A BIG PIECE of the add pie is
unquestionably allergy. I AM SURPRISED IT IS SO HIGH TOO CAUSE i KNOW THAT
MOLDS, DUST, POLLEN AND CHEMICALS ALSO CAUSE IT SO HOW CAN THE FOOD PIECE BE
THAT BIG-- BUT IT IS- sEE MY VIDEOS- READ MY BOOKS - ITS ALL THERE WITH LOTS
OF PROOF. mY BOTTOM LINE IS A WELL PATIENT AND WHAT i DESCRIBE IN MY BOOKS HAS
HELPED 1000'S- THAT i HAVE NEVER SEEN AND MANY THAT i HAVE SEEN.
Thanks, Doris Rapp
Date: Sat, 11 Jul 1998 17:01:23 EDT
From: DrRappMD@aol.com
Subject: Re: ADD Question for the doctors
There are obviously many ways to help ADD and ADHD without drugs. One merely
needs to keep looking and seeing what is easiest- fast. safe and best. If i
can get a medical center iin Phoenix we will evaluate the various techniques
and line them up as to cost and efficacy- but til then- everyone must read and
study. Dr Rapp
Date: Sat, 11 Jul 1998 14:20:28 -0400 (EDT)
From: an588@freenet.carleton.ca (Catherine Woodgold)
Subject: ADD Hypoclycemia and Chromium Deficiency
atkinson@theriver.com (Fran & Perry) asked about ADD and hypoglycemia.
An excellent treatment for hypoglycemia is supplementation with
chromium in an organic form, in reasonable, RDA-like amounts.
Chromium is needed by the body to move sugar around. It is used
by the body to make a molecule called Glucose Tolerance Factor (GTF),
which works with insulin to move sugar from the blood into cells,
and I think is used generally to move sugar into and out of storage
in the body, etc. This chromium-containing molecule is like a wagon
that the body uses to move sugar around. I think plants use it
in a similar way, because chromium is usually found in natural
sources of sugar such as honey, raisins, etc.
To work properly, the brain needs enough sugar, and also the
raw materials to make neurotransmitters; vitamin C is important,
for example.
Many people's diets are deficient in chromium. In one study it was
the one mineral people were most likely to be low on. "Studies by the
U.S. Department of Agriculture have shown that 9 out of 10 Americans
may not be getting enough chromium." A typical supplementation for an
adult is 200 mcg of chromium, which is not a megadose.
Eating refined sugar depletes the body of chromium. Although sugar cane
contains chromium, it is removed during the refining process. Molasses
might contain chromium, but some brown sugar and molasses is mostly refined.
When you eat refined sugar, the body releases chromium out of storage (in
the liver?) into the blood in order to handle the sugar. Inevitably, some
of this chromium is then lost in the urine. So eating sugar leaves you with
a little less chromium than you had before, and therefore a little less
ability to process sugar in the future.
Supplementation with chromium elevates and stabilizes blood sugar levels.
Chromium chloride is just about useless as a supplement: hardly any is
absorbed. The organic molecule GTF itself is found in brewer's yeast and
in some nutritional supplements, and works very well. Chromium picolinate
also works very well: picolinic acid (picolinate) is normally used by the body to
transport minerals, so it's in a ready-to-use form. Honey, raisins, grapes,
brewer's yeast, natural sugar cane, and unrefined molasses (?) are food
sources of chromium.
My own experience: I became depleted of chromium during my first pregnancy.
For a couple of months I would become ravenous a couple of hours after eating.
Of course, I was breastfeeding, but the lack of chromium was a major factor.
I began chromium supplements and within a couple of weeks I felt quite different.
A few hours after eating I would be simply hungry, not desperately hungry.
I used to get migraine headaches if I didn't eat for about 4 hours in a row.
I still like to snack frequently, but I can get along without eating for 5
hours now and just feel hungry, and not get a headache. I used to be irritable
just before dinner; that was prime time for fights with my husband. OK, I still
have a bit of a low before dinner and my husband and I have an agreement not
to discuss anything until after eating, but the chromium supplements made a
big difference too.
Fran & Perry, you said that sugar doesn't seem to make your boy's behaviour worse.
It may not in the short run: but over the course of a few weeks it depletes him
of chromium. He needs the chromium or he will crash if he doesn't eat for a few
hours. I suggest using raisins, honey etc. instead of refined sugar for treats and
emergency snacks. (Brush teeth frequently and/or end each meal or snack with a piece
of fresh fruit other than bananna, to cleanse the teeth.)
You may see no difference in his immediate behaviour as compared
to giving him sugar, but after a few weeks I think you will see an overall improvement.
Since refined sugar is everywhere it may be hard to get enough chromium into him
via food; I think chromium supplementation is a good idea, though I don't know
the correct amount for a child. I would think you would take the adult dose
and divide it by a ratio of body weights. That is, divide his body weight by the
weight of a typical adult, and make his dose smaller than 200 mcg by that ratio.
You could cut 200 mcg pills into quarters, for example. Chromium is an essential
nutrient; everyone needs it to stay alive. Generally with essential nutrients
taking a bit more than you need almost never does any harm; they're pretty safe
because our bodies are used to them.
Cathy Woodgold TISSATAAFL Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
http://www.ncf.carleton.ca/~an588/
mailto:an588@freenet.carleton.ca
One car takes people to a place; hundreds of cars make the places
no longer worth going to. Are your favourite places car-free?
Date: Sat, 11 Jul 1998 17:08:16 EDT
From: DrRappMD@aol.com
Subject: Re: ADD Hypoclycemia and Chromium Deficiency
What you said about chromium is of caourse very important. I recommend stevia
from the health food stores as a substitute. It tastes much better than the
usual substitutes. Augar is definitely a piece of the pie. Thank, Dr rapp
Date: Sat, 11 Jul 1998 17:23:14 -0400
From: George von Hilsheimer
Subject: ADD Disorder, disease, dysfunction
Mark rewarded me for being silent. Excellent explanation.
The disease, diabetes, includes the disorders hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia,
and a host of others. A disorder is the reverse of order, a usually
homeostatic or self regulating process is dysfunctional. A dysfunction is a
small part of a disorder.
Doris Rapp's Sixty Six (66) per cent is probably conservative. I am almost 70,
I've been seeing ADD kids professionally since I was in my 20s and I almost
never found one who did not have some hypersensitivity; all us old pahzers
were taught that "atopy" came from the word "wierd" and that "allergy" was
an atopic illness, viz. a wierd illness. These days with many MD's insisting
that the only allergy is an IgE allergy then meanings slip.
So lets use hypersensitivity. The ADD brain is vulnerable because is has
very high amplitude slow wave activity which deranges, brakes, many
otherwise well
functioning brain systems. Get rid of the over braking and you get rid of
many derangements. Pavlov taught us this more than 80 years ago.
If you want to see ADD fly out the window for good (unless you hit the child
in the head fairly hard) then do EEG biofeedback. I do NOTHING else these
days. I'm old, tired, and love to be efficient. So EEG biofeedback. Plus
good diet, allergy management, and at the very least vitamins C, B-6 and
magnesium. ADD,
goodbye.
Dr. Von
Date: Sat, 11 Jul 98 19:34:03 PDT
From: "David E. Birren"
Subject: Re: ADD Reply to DrRapp
DrRappMD replied to me:
>IIt is difficult for most people to quiet their mind for meditation.
Indeed, it is. It's probably the most challenging aspect of the practice,
at least for the first several lifetimes (as I've heard it said, generally
with some humor).
>Concentrating on the breath helps.
That's the primary technique.
> I never tried to use Ritalin so I don't`know but I just am not too happy
> about Class II narcotics.
I have to agree with you about using drugs. But my feeling is - as I
implied in my earlier post - I'm happy to have something that enables me to
organize the chaos, because I've never found anything else that does it.
The key, to me, is using the substance intelligently, which means treating
it as a teaching tool, something that enables a person to free up enough
inner resources to build the kinds of mental mechanisms that "normal"
people take for granted.
>Never meditate when tired. Try early AM before the worries of the day get
>to you. If your mind is worried or stressed it is tough to meditate.
I think most meditation teachers would say that tiredness is just something
else one deals with. Morning is the best time for many people, myself
included, but "sitting" while tired or upset or worried or stressed often
provides deeper and more useful insights than when one is feeling calm.
Not fun, necessarily, but that's not the point.
>Things that cause allergy can make your mind most unsettled.
I wonder about the predictability and reliability of the relationship
between allergies and ADD. I never had a single allergy until about five
years ago (age 43) when I reacted to penicillin with mild hives. When I
moved and was no longer around cats, I discovered an allergy to them. Yet
I have always had the symptoms of ADD - impulsivity, restlessness, and
difficulty organizing mental processes. Considering that until recently
I've never had allergic symptoms of any kind, would you suggest that there
are allergies that manifest only through ADD symptoms?
The same is true for my son, one of my sisters and one of her sons. None
of them has any allergies that anyone knows of, yet they have the same set
of ADD symptoms - no obvious hyperactivity, but a consistent pattern of
mental disorganization and impulsivity.
It certainly is hard to sort through the variables, isn't it?
Best regards,
Dave
Date: Sat, 11 Jul 1998 22:18:46 EDT
From: YCaryl@aol.com
Subject: Re: Re: ADD Reply to DrRapp
In a message dated 7/12/98 1:31:39 AM, Dave said:
<>
Amen!!!!
Especially, since we have, as you also wrote so succinctly,
[[a consistent pattern of mental disorganization and impulsivity]]
Caryl
Date: Sat, 11 Jul 1998 22:49:28 -0400 (EDT)
From: Mark Gold
Subject: Re: ADD Question for the doctors
>From: PEllis8107@aol.com
>Date: Thu, 9 Jul 1998 22:03:48 EDT
>To: add-holistic@mLists.net
>Subject: Re: ADD Question for the doctors
>I draw your attention to one research project using what I would call
>respectable methodology. Dr Bonnie Kaplan at the Univ of Calgary
>supported the idea that there is a link between dietary improvements and
>behavior improvements in ADHD children. She conducted a double-blind
>study in which ADHD preschoolers with known allergies were placed on
>diets without additives, chocolate, MSG, caffiene, and other substances
>known to cause allergic reactions for the children. As a result of the
>diet, 10 of the 24 students improved by 25% as rated by established
>behavior rating scales. The results are promising, but are far short of
>66%. This study also picked children who were known to have allergies,
>already a subset of the total population of ADHD children.
Dr. Ellis,
Unless I'm mis-reading the results from the Kaplan, et al. study, I think
the improvement is greater:
"Approximately 42% (n=10) of the children exhibited approximatey 50%
improvement in behavior as a result of the ACH diet (Fig 2); an
additional 16% (n=4) exhibited a 12% improvement with no placebo
effect."
I didn't see anything about the subjects being included because they had
allergies. But it's a long publication and I could have missed it.
I thought it was interesting that the researchers pointed out that:
"After the current research was already underway, one report appeared
in which behavioral changes were demonstrated with challenges of a
wide variety of foods which were not excluded in our ACH diet: oats,
peanuts, wheat, grapes, and bananas, etc."
This statement may be one example of where the Kaplan, et al. protocol
diverges from Dr. Rapp's techniques. If I understand it correctly, Dr.
Rapp has some suggested foods to eliminate which differ from those
eliminated by Dr. Kaplan. In addition, specific observational techniques
are used by Dr. Rapp and the parents to help identify foods and
environmental chemicals that cause problems. Provication/neutralization
techniques are used by Dr. Rapp when necessary. Dr. Rapp's techniques
seems to be geared towards identifying and eliminating the problem
exposures. Dr. Kaplan picked some substances known to cause allergy and
intolerance reactions, but they may have missed many substances because
they didn't use Dr. Rapp's techniques to identify offending foods/
chemicals.
Here are some abstracts I found that may be relevant:
AUTHOR: Boris M; Mandel FS
TITLE: Foods and additives are common causes of the attention
deficit hyperactive disorder in children.
SOURCE: Ann Allergy (4XC), 1994 May; 72 (5): 462-8
ABSTRACT: The attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) is a
neurophysiologic problem that is detrimental to children and
their parents. Despite previous studies on the role of
foods, preservatives and artificial colorings in ADHD this
issue remains controversial. This investigation evaluated 26
children who meet the criteria for ADHD. Treatment with a
multiple item elimination diet showed 19 children (73%)
responded favorably, P < .001. On open challenge, all 19
children reacted to many foods, dyes, and/or preservatives.
A double-blind placebo controlled food challenge (DBPCFC)
was completed in 16 children. There was a significant
improvement on placebo days compared with challenge days (P
= .003). Atopic children with ADHD had a significantly
higher response rate than the nonatopic group. This study
demonstrates a beneficial effect of eliminating reactive
foods and artificial colors in children with ADHD. Dietary
factors may play a significant role in the etiology of the
majority of children with ADHD.
[This is interesting because if shows how food can affect the brain.]
AUTHOR: Uhlig T; Merkenschlager A; Brandmaier R; Egger J
TITLE: Topographic mapping of brain electrical activity in children
with food-induced attention deficit hyperkinetic disorder.
SOURCE: Eur J Pediatr (END), 1997 Jul; 156 (7): 557-61
LANGUAGE: English
ABSTRACT: In 15 children suffering from food induced attention deficit
hyperkinetic syndrome, topographic EEG mapping of brain
electrical activity was carried out following avoidance and
ingestion of previously identified provoking foods. A
crossover design was used and recordings were interpreted
independently by two investigators, one of whom was blind to
the order of testing. During consumption of provoking foods
there was a significant increase in betal activity in the
frontotemporal areas of the brain. This investigation is the
first one to show an association between brain electrical
activity and intake of provoking foods in children with food-
induced attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
CONCLUSIONS: These data support the hypothesis that in a
subgroup of children with attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder certain foods may not only influence clinical
symptoms but may also alter brain electrical activity.
AUTHOR: Carter CM; Urbanowicz M; Hemsley R; Mantilla L; Strobel S;
Graham PJ; Taylor E
TITLE: Effects of a few food diet in attention deficit disorder.
SOURCE: Arch Dis Child (6XG), 1993 Nov; 69 (5): 564-8
ABSTRACT: Seventy-eight children, referred to a diet clinic because of
hyperactive behaviour, were placed on a 'few foods'
elimination diet. Fifty nine improved in behaviour during
this open trial. For 19 of these children it was possible to
disguise foods or additives, or both, that reliably provoked
behavioural problems by mixing them with other tolerated
foods and to test their effect in a placebo controlled
double blind challenge protocol. The results of a crossover
trial on these 19 children showed a significant effect for
the provoking foods to worsen ratings of behaviour and to
impair psychological test performance. This study shows that
observations of change in behaviour associated with diet
made by parents and other people with a role in the child's
care can be reproduced using double blind methodology and
objective assessments. Clinicians should give weight to the
accounts of parents and consider this treatment in selected
children with a suggestive medical history.
Best Wishes,
- Mark
mgold@holisticmed.com
Date: Mon, 13 Jul 1998 00:47:23 -0400 (EDT)
From: Mark Gold
Subject: ADD-Holistic Visiting Experts
Dr. Rapp,
I want to thank you for taking the time to visit the group to share your
clinical experience and answer questions! I hope that you can stay around
and answer and followup questions and participate in the discussion as you
have time. I think that your book, "Is This Your Child's World?" is not
only a great book for those with ADD/ADHD, but is an excellent resource
book for anyone raising children or treating children.
For anyone interested in finding out more about the resource Dr. Rapp
has to offer, please visit her web page at:
http://www.drrapp.com/
Also, Dr. Rapp has provided phone numbers in previous posts for ordering
books & videos, and finding a specialist to help test for and eliminate
behavioral disorders caused by allergies/intolerances/toxic exposures.
The next Visiting Expert is...well, this will have to wait 'till tomorrow
(Monday) until I can clear up a few things. I'm excited and hope it works
out!
Best Wishes,
- Mark
mgold@holisticmed.com