ADHD, also known as attention deficit or hyperactivity disorder, is on the rise1. The National Institute of Health (NIH) suggests genetics and environmental factors play a role2. We can all agree that genes are involved in almost any disease, but environmental factors may play a role in this. Could society be inadvertently poisoning our kids? One would hope not, but let’s take a deeper look.
Blue 1, Blue 2, Citrus Red 2, Green 3, Orange B, Red 3, Red 40, and Yellow 5. Although these are the colors of the rainbow, they are far from natural. Unfortunately they’re becoming all too common in the foods we eat. Look at the ingredient list on the back of some of the items in your pantry and I can almost guarantee you’ll see some of them. Food colorings, additives, and artificial sweeteners have been used in processed foods for decades, so why all of a sudden are they being linked to various health issues, like ADHD? Well, it wasn’t until recently that their potential interaction with behavior was investigated by scientists. Although none have provided conclusive evidence of them causing harm, several have raised eyebrows, notably the Southampton Studies. The NIH states artificial sweeteners are not the main cause of ADHD, but they may contribute significantly. In particular cases, it may push a child over the diagnostic threshold along with other risk factors3. Despite that, their overall consumption has increased, according to recent data.
Source: Daily per capita Consumption of Food AFC 1950-2010 (compiled by Laura J. Stevens, M.S., Purdue, used with permission)4
This begs the question, why are we adding these ingredients if there’s even a modest risk of contaminating our kids? Well, I’ll ask you. What looks more appetizing to eat? The Trix or Bran?
Large processed food manufacturers purposely market their products to kids to make them look bright and colorful while disguising their true nature. That’s why selecting whole grains and minimally processed cereals is best to avoid food dyes and other chemicals in the first place.
There’s arguably no topic more controversial today than vaccines. Although the COVID-19 pandemic brought the world together in some respects, it has also created a great division between the vaccinated and the unvaccinated. Vaccines have been in use since the 1900s in the US without this much protest. Why is there such resistance all of a sudden?
The CDC openly lists common side effects of each vaccine which aren’t alarming except the following excerpt, “as with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other serious injuries, or death.” In addition, the COVID-19 vaccine side effects, which still lack extended clinical research, include thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), and myocarditis.
Without question, there is enough evidence circulating vaccines to make anyone think twice, but how could it possibly affect our children and their brain development?
Lead and Mercury are neurotoxins that are used in vaccines to enhance the immune response. If ingested in ample amounts they can be very harmful, most notably to the brain. These metals have the ability to cross over the blood brain barrier and cause a host of problems, including ADHD. Health officials reassure the public by stating that the amounts of these metals are within or below acceptable levels and do not cause toxicity, but is any amount okay for your child?
If you include other toxins your child ingests in processed food and water it starts to make sense why ADHD and other cognitive diseases are on the rise. On the bright side, you can significantly reduce your exposure to heavy metals by consuming minimally processed foods, drinking filtered water, and promoting herd immunity. Coming in for a footbath every so often and taking a Soft Cleanse Pak are also great detox methods for all ages to keep the body free of dangerous pollutants.
From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), ADHD, schizophrenia, and manic behavior are closely linked. Although differential diagnosis is always applied, this disease typically results from phlegm misting the mind. Phlegm in western society is often considered thick, tangible, and sticky, usually due to consuming an abundance of cold or raw food or an upper respiratory tract infection. Phlegm can be substantial, as referred to above, but it can also be a thin, almost invisible blanket covering the eyes, ears, and mind. This can make an individual behave erratically and become almost immune to therapy.
It’s not that the individual is intentionally misbehaving, but when the mind and spirit are cloaked in fog, it’s difficult to act normal. This thin layer of phlegm is undetectable on any kind of imaging. However, TCM Practitioners can detect this by observing an overly damp plump tongue with thick coating & teeth marks. They will also monitor a person’s behavior and palpate what’s known as a “slippery pulse,” expressing the phlegm within.
Treatment involves using aromatic moving herbs to awaken the mind, open the orifices, or part the clouds with sunshine, so to speak. In doing so, no negative side effects are seen, and no medication is necessary. A well established Traditional Chinese Herbal Formula known as, Wen Dan Tang (Warm the gallbladder decoction), usually serves as the base for this syndrome, with modifications based on the individual.
Acupuncture can also be used to calm the mind and transform phlegm. The following are effective Acupuncture points commonly used, Stomach-40, Spleen-3, Si Shen Cong, and Yin Tang. Adding in the BrainTap “Quantum Learning” series will also help kids improve their learning, concentration, and sleep quality.
In Western Medicine, children are often left taking medication, which only masks symptoms and somewhat numbs them. By not treating the root, the problem often compounds underneath. This usually ends up requiring more medication, meaning ingesting more potentially harmful chemicals.
The staff at Wu Wei can help detox from heavy metals and establish an appropriate health plan moving forward. Contact us today!
- https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html
- https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3441937/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3441937/
