ADD

Dear Dr. Meletis,

A patient came into my office today with a handout from another healthcare practitioner discussing supplements that can be used to support the health of those with moderate ADD. I’d like to recommend a regimen but need a bit of advice regarding exactly what supplements are called for in this situation.

The patient is a 20-year-old male who was just re-diagnosed with moderate ADD. The patient is entering into his third year of college with a very strenuous academic schedule (pre-med). Apparently, he was diagnosed with ADD as a 6-year-old, but his parents decided against drug therapy at that time and instead worked with diet and behavior modification. He has done extremely well in school thus far.

However, now as his studies become more difficult, the young man is having trouble with his focus and concentration and desires to look further into other holistic protocols, i.e. supplements. Other than the diagnosis of ADD, the patient is extremely healthy and fit with no other health issues. He claims to exercise (fairly) regularly and eat a healthy diet of lean proteins, complex carbs, no caffeine or refined sugars. Just the occasional pizza and beer. He currently takes no vitamins or supplements.

I’ve heard that Acetyl-L-Carnitine and Tyrosine are helpful in such cases. I’ve also read a bit about Extension IQ™ and Neuron Growth Factors (NGF™).

Can you discuss what you’d recommend? The patient seems highly motivated. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanking You in Advance,

Dr. W.

Dear Dr. W.,

My approach for nutritional support of ADD patients of course varies from individual to individual, yet I do have a very definite approach that I will gladly share. I use the following approach. 1) Rule out low ferritin or a MCV that is either below 85 or above 92. 2) I always recommend a 96 Item IgG Food Allergy Test (food as best medicine or worst enemy in the buffet of life). Brain fog from food allergens is so very common. 3) Rule out low adrenal function with a 4x Cortisol, DHEA Adrenal Function Panel and get baseline testosterone measured. 4) Make sure TSH, Free T3, Free T4 and Reverse T3 are optimal.

As far as supplements: 1) Zinc Monomethione 50 mg per day with food for 3 to 6 months (then 25 mg per day); 2) Ethyl EPA, which also contains DHA, 3 to 4 pills per day; 3) Extension IQ, 2 pills BID; 4) SynCholamine™ 2 pills BID (starting with 1 pill BID and working upwards to 2 BID); 5) Vitamin B12, Methylcobalamin (1,000 mcg, 1 to 2 times per day) for an energy boost; 6) Extension B-Plex 1 pill in a.m. with breakfast; 7) Depending on the results these yield within the first 30 days, treating the results of the Adrenal Function Panel with CortiTrophin® if cortisol or DHEA is low is a common approach. Also testing for Iodine levels, via a 24-hour Iodine Sufficiency Test, I find essential. If the iodine test is indicative of low levels, Iodoral® is warranted. When iodine sufficiency is pursued, it can displace fluoride and bromide that can cause brain fog.

Even with thin patients, if there is snoring reported, ruling out hypoapnea or overt apnea is essential.

Thanks for the excellent question. Let me know how things go.

Sincerely,

Chris D. Meletis, ND