Our September 22, 2004 meeting speaker was Terry Wingo, Pharmacist and Owner of Madison Drugs. Terry talked to us about natural approaches to handling ADD, ADHD and Dyslexia. It was fascinating information and Terry will expand what he talked to us about Thursday, September 23 at Madison Drugs in a two hour seminar on ADHD from 6:30-8:30. The cost is twenty dollars and you need to get your name on the list by calling Madison Drugs at 256-837-1778. Thank you Terry for sharing your time with us an packing the meeting with so much info!
Terry talked about having a wellness approach instead of disease or symptom management. Disease management works from symptoms down, instead of health promotion up to symptoms of problems.
Terry mentioned there have been studies of dyslexics who had higher levels of aluminum, mostly from water sources. He recommends a book on neurotoxins called
EXCITOTOXINS by Russell Blaylock
Terry recommended using no artificial sweetners. He recommends using STEVIA with reservations. He uses honey to sweeten his coffee.
Fluctuations in blood sugar levels present behavioral problems and Terry recommended the book FOOD AND BEHAVIOR By Barbara Reid Stitt.
Teachers notice behavior changes in classes before lunch and several hours after lunch, coming from rapid drops in blood sugar levels. Caffeine affects behavior due to impact on adrenal function.
Terry says the two things driving the American health care system today are drug manufacturers who provide physicians with studies on their products, and by the insurance industry which funds the medical system.
Terry first recommends dietary changes to affect behavior changes. Studies showing improving behavior by increasing vitamin C.
Terry is on what he called the Paleolithic diet. He recommends the book THE PALEO DIET By Loren Cordain. This diet calls for no dairy, grains, legumes or things in packages.
Food allergies play a role in behavior and Terry told us your blood type is your cell type and that certain blood types process nutrients differently. For example people with B and O blood types have problems with corn. You can be tested for food allergies at Madison Drugs, tests more extensive than the histamine reaction food tests done by allergists. You can do a finger prick test on your own for food allergies by checking with www.yorkallergyusa.com
For attention and focus problems, Terry recommends a holisitic approach.
1. A good multivitamin that is taken twice a day, at least with breakfast and dinner, a capsule is better than a tablet.
2. Essential Fatty Acids found only in fish oils, not plant sources such as fish oil capsules or oil supplements
3. Neurotransmitter precursors, a group of nutrients to help with focus found in a product called BRAINSTORM. This is not in conflict with prescribed ADHD or ADD medication.
Terry uses products before recommending them and the books he mentioned and the focus/attention supplement called Brainstorm and vitamins are available at Madison Drugs.