Health

Attention disorders and naturopathy

What should we do to regulate blood sugar?

Yes, it is essential to cut on sugar, desserts, juices and various candies but it is also essential to bring as many nutrients as possible through a healthy diet and keeping a balance between good fats and the quality of proteins.

Specifically, what I teach is to eat proteins in each meal. Her is an example of healthy breakfast:

  • Omelette or eggs
  • Cottage cheese, ricotta or Greek yogurt with no added sugar.
  • Smoothies made with silky tofu and ground flaxseed
  • Oatmeal with nuts or seeds (chia, flax, hemp) with unsweetened soy milk
  • Nut butter on a slice of bread
  • A slice of manna bread, a sprouted bread rich in nutrients and protein
  • Buckwheat crepe (I add ground flaxseed and hemp proteins powder to my mixture)

Dinners and suppers should consist mainly in vegetables and proteins.

  • Concentrated protein: egg, meat, fish, tofu, low-fat cheese
  • Vegetables: raw, steamed, stir-fried or in a juice or soup.

Routine is a must. Having meals and snacks at regular hours will stabilize blood sugar. Eating breakfast every morning is necessary and you should eat healthy snacks such as:

  • Fruit with sunflower, pumpkin and chia seeds
  • Cottage cheese and Greek yogurt
  • Slice of manna bread
  • Homemade muffin with hemp proteins, tofu or flax seeds

You can also give him nuts when he comes back from school before you start homework and lessons. Working on an empty stomach is awful. It is best to give him a snack filled with proteins first.

What about good fats?

When consumed wisely, good fats promote optimal health, provide a feeling of satiety and slow the absorption of glucose in the blood. Essential fatty acids are part of the composition of cell membranes of the brain. Their presence allow membranes to be flexible and of better quality. That way, they promote intercellular exchanges and these membranes will be in a better shape to capture messages sent by neurotransmitters.

Good to eat 
  • Avocados, olives, coconut milk.
  • Olive oil, linseed oil.
  • Coconut oil (children love it: use it like butter to cook or spread on bread, pancakes and crackers)
  • Earth Balance margarine
  • Seeds (flax, hemp, pumpkin, chia) and nuts every day.
  • Add 2 to 3 portions of fish per week minimum. Opt for oily fish rich in Omega-3: sardine, mackerel, herring are small fishes that contain less heavy metals. Salmon, tuna and trout from our rivers are also a good choice.
  • Don’t forget shellfishes that are also rich in healthy fats.
  • Add seaweed to soup and smoothies, neither seen nor heard. My son loves dulse seaweed eaten fresh from the bag, like chips. Try it out!

Be careful with the trend of products enriched in Omega-3. The quality of fats that have been heated or pasteurized is altered. Only enriched eggs seem like a good option.

Omega-3 supplements are effective

Omega-3, especially DHA play a crucial role in the diet of pregnant and nursing women and that of children. They are necessary to the good development and functioning of the brain. A chronic deficiency could contribute to increase the risk of suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) in children.3 Several studies have shown that a lack of omega-3 can contribute to attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) and development disorders.4-5 Some studies have even shown that omega-3 can reduce agitation, aggression and improve academic performance when medication has failed.6

If you wish to purchase bottled omega-3, you must buy a very good pharmaceutical quality without heavy metals, toxins and oxidation. Pay attention, seek advice from a licensed naturopathic doctor and avoid big sales. Keep in mind that quality has a price.

Visiting a licensed naturopathic doctor will always be a great addition to support a child who suffers from attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD). Omega-3 has proven virtues but there are many other tools, such as vitamins, that could play an important role in helping your child’s concentration. Do not hesitate to ask for help.

References
  1. Doreen Virtue, Aimer et prendre soin des Enfants indigo, Éditions Ariane, p.167.
  2. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22596014
  3. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22596014
  4. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedAssociationsBetweenOmega-3andOmega-6ADHD
  5. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22786509
  6. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22596014
Dominique Abran
Naturopath

Dominique Abran is member of the Association Des Naturopathes Agrées De Quebec (ANAQ) and is pleased to share her experience as a naturopath (and mother) to help you maintain and restore your health through natural means. Naturopathy offers a holistic approach based on numerous resources allowing you to regain balance and work towards a better life. In addition, it helps you have a smoother pregnancy, during which you receive personalized support. Follow-ups include a complete health check and detailed management of your nutritional needs through advanced laboratory testing. A prevention plan also minimizes the risk of experiencing discomfort during pregnancy. This monitoring is offered in three meetings as part of a package that includes a hair-tissue mineral analysis. For more information, visit her website at www.manaturopathe.com. Dominique Abran, accredited naturopathic doctor Clinique Santé du Quartier 1133 St-Joseph Est Montréal H2J 1L5  


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