Over 4.7 million children in the United States have been diagnosed with ADHD.

What is ADHD?

According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD is a common childhood illness that can be treated. It is a health condition involving biologically active substances in the brain. Studies show that ADHD may affect certain areas of the brain that allow us to solve problems, plan ahead, understand others' actions, and control our impulses.

Why not Ritalin?

Ritalin is a dangerous drug and has similar properties to cocaine.And we all know, "cocaine is a hell of a drug." If you look at their chemical structures, they are quite similar. Both Ritalin and cocaine increase dopamine levels in the brain. Researchers in NY gave Ritalin to cocaine users and they found no distinction between the two.

Here are just a few of the side effects associated with Ritalin:

• Nervousness
• Insomnia
• Loss of appetite
• Headaches
• Skin rashes
• Abdominal pain
• Drug dependency
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations

Change Your Diet

One of the quickest ways to fight ADHD/ADD is to change your diet.

• Remove dangerous additives from your diet. In the 70s Dr. Feingold found that hyperactive children had allergies to many of the common preservatives, colorings, and flavors added to the foods we eat daily. Recent studies agree and especially most recently have taken notice to the preservative sodium benzoate.
• TRY: Limit processed foods and make things from scratch. It may be more time consuming, but the health benefits are well worth it.

• Limit sugar intake. Not far-fetched to think that sugar might contribute to hyperactive, inattentive children. But a problem with glucose metabolism is the major concern. Research shows ADHD children release half the hormones as normal children. This drop in blood sugar decreases brain activity significantly.
• TRY: Avoiding sugars and high carbohydrate foods.

• Supplement nutrients lost. A large amount of people have nutritional deficiencies these days. But boosting magnesium levels could help fight ADHD. Magnesium deficiency can result in depression, anxiety, and restlessness. Studies show magnesium supplementation decreases hyperactive symptoms in children.
• TRY:Switching to whole grains, sea salt and natural sweeteners.

• Essential Fatty Acids. Many ADHD children lack sufficient fatty acids in their diet.
• TRY: One of the best ways to bump up your EFA intake is to add flax seed to your diet or flax oil.

Natural/Herbal Cures

• Gingko biloba. Enhances brain activity and can slow mental degeneration.
• Skull cap. Also a sedative for pain and anxiety relief helps sooth the nervous system.
• Chamomile. The calming effects of chamomile promote relaxation and calmness of the mind.
• Gotu Kola. A recent natural aid for Alzheimer's patients, gotu kola significantly increases concentration and attention.
• Video Games? Hold up before you get excited. Madden 08/09 will not ease your discomfort for ADHD. A new gaming device called Smart BrainGames, a feedback system which monitors brain waves through a hat full of sensors, has the ability to adjust video game performance to train the player into emitting certain brain patterns.