Dr. Susan B. Kowalsky, N.D.
ADHD/ADD Question: My son has ADHD. I know I shouldn't feed him certain foods, but don't know which ones. My doctor said it won't make a difference. Can you tell me your opinion. Rebecca W., New Hampshire The majority of children with ADD/ADHD will show noticeable improvements following dietary changes. There have been some studies that supposedly show no correlation between diet and behavior. However, not only were these studies of poor methodological design, many were funded by the manufacturers of junk food. Some of these negative studies would even conclude that their study showed no correlation, however upon scrutiny of the data the opposite would appear to be true. Three areas of diet can be addressed simultaneously: The first area of concern is avoiding refined carbohydrates, especially sweets. Except for fruit, rice syrup or stevia (available at natural food stores), if it is sweet, don't let your child eat it. Look for sugar and added sweeteners in everything! The second area of dietary modification to address is the removal of food additives, mainly food colorings, from your child's diet. This can best be accomplished by following the Feingold diet plan (see www.Feingold.org). There have been a number of studies examining the removal of food additives in hyperactive children with good results. The third area of concern is food sensitivities. Following an allergy elimination diet for 4 weeks and slowly reintroducing foods one at a time to determine which provoke behavioral changes is the best method to use. It is extremely likely that by eliminating certain foods your child's behavior will improve. Many children with hyperactivity are particularly sensitive to dairy, soy, peanuts, chocolate, wheat, corn tomatoes, citrus and grapes. A naturopathic physician is best trained to guide you in making dietary changes as well as testing for other possible causative or contributing factors to ADD/ADHD. These include laboratory testing of actual iron levels, heavy metals (particularly lead), amino acid testing, and essential fatty acid testing. Sometimes supplementation with vitamins, herbs and selective amino acid protein powders that balance neurotransmitters in the brain can help your child feel immensely better.
IRON & ADHD Question: Is there a relationship between iron and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder? Helen, New Hampshire Yes, there is a relationship. Iron deficiency can cause learning disabilities and cognitive impairment. This year a study concluded that children with iron deficiency (low ferritin levels) may be more inattentive, "distractable" and suffer from learning disabilities more often than children with normal ferritin levels. Measuring blood ferritin levels in children with attention deficit disorder is easy. Supplementing with iron should only be considered with low ferritin levels and when prescribed by a physician.
About Dr. Kowalsky Dr. Susan B. Kowalsky is a naturopathic physician specializing in cancer and chronic medical conditions. She offers expert solutions integrating the best of alternative and complementary medical care. As a naturopathic doctor she is trained in both conventional medicine and natural therapies, providing her patients with the most holistic, integrative and effective medical care available.
Therapies Include: *Vitamin Therapies
Services Include: *Comprehensive physical exams
The Highest Standard of Care "I provide strong guidance and caring medicine that foster hope and optimal health. My practice is based on a holistic, patient-centered philosophy that emphasizes finding the underlying cause of a patient's medical condition and strengthening overall health as well as providing relief from symptoms. I recommend treatments that work with the inherent healing systems of the body rather than merely suppressing symptoms. I prescribe treatments based on the best scientific evidence available, while also developing a healing and supportive relationship with each patient. I adjust treatments to address the individual needs of each person based on mental, emotional and social factors as well as their physical health and symptoms. Only by really listening can a doctor understand the pieces of the puzzle that make up a patient's health concerns. I believe the highest standard of care can only happen when the doctor is totally dedicated and committed to your health and wellbeing." -- Susan B. Kowalsky, N.D.
COMPREHENSIVE DIAGNOSIS Dr. Kowalsky has built a reputation as a successful “medical detective,” diagnosing persistent, challenging and complex medical cases. With her experience and dedication to uncovering the many factors contributing to health and disease, she has achieved high rates of success helping her patients.
MENOPAUSE & WOMEN’S HEALTH Dr. Kowalsky provides comfortable gynecological exams and pap smears. She believes it's important to support a woman with menopausal or other gynecological concerns using safe and natural bio-identical hormones, homeopathy, herbal medicine and nutritional therapies. Her success in treating hot flashes, insomnia, vaginal dryness, memory problems and osteoporosis makes menopause a lot easier for many women. With natural therapies and Dr. Kowalsky's gentle guidance you can make this important time a stepping stone to a meaningful and healthy future!
NATUROPATHIC ONCOLOGY Dr. Kowalsky provides a responsible, rational and integrative approach to the treatment of cancer. Naturopathic medicines can help increase longevity, heighten quality of life and reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation while enhancing their effectiveness.
CREDENTIALS Dr. Kowalsky received her undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin and earned her doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from The National College of Naturopathic Medicine. Dr. Kowalsky completed her clinical internship at the Portland Naturopathic Clinic. She completed the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations through the Oregon Board of Naturopathic Examiners and is a naturopathic physician licensed by the state of Vermont. She is a member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians.
WHAT IS A NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN? Naturopathic physicians (N.D.s) are general practitioners trained as specialists in natural medicine. They are the only physicians with comprehensive medical training that includes a wide variety of natural therapeutics, such as herbal medicine, nutritional medicine, homeopathy, natural hormones, intravenous supplementation and physical medicine. Naturopathic physicians cooperate with all other branches of medical science, referring patients to other specialists for diagnosis or treatment when necessary. Health and disease come from a complex interaction of physical, emotional, dietary, genetic, and environmental, lifestyle and other factors. Naturopathic physicians treat the whole person, taking all these factors into account. Naturopathic physicians prefer non-invasive treatments which minimize the risks of harmful side-effects. Treatments are tailored to the needs of the individual patient based on a cogent philosophy that acknowledges the patient as participant. Naturopathic medical colleges are four-year postgraduate schools with admission requirements like those of conventional medical schools. Because the coursework in naturopathic theory and natural medicine is added to a standard medical curriculum, naturopathic doctors receive significantly more hours of classroom education than the graduates of leading medical schools, including Yale, Stanford, John Hopkins and Mayo medical schools. Patients are demanding evidence that medical practice be safe and effective. Natural medicine has been demonstrated to be both safe and effective through clinical studies and scientific evaluation. There are over 90,000 medical studies on complementary and alternative medicine, mostly from conventional medicine database resources. In fact, one textbook on naturopathic therapeutics references over 10,000 citations to peer-reviewed scientific literature documenting the efficacy of natural treatments.
To schedule an appointment or to request more information call: (802) 649-1064 16 Beaver Meadow Road Conveniently located near I-91 & I-89
DISCLAIMER: The information contained in the document and website is provided FOR INFORMATIONAL USE ONLY AND MAY NOT BE CONSTRUED, CONSIDERED OR USED IN PLACE OF MEDICAL ADVICE OR INSTRUCTION. No action should be taken based only on this newsletter. Readers should consult a licensed naturopathic physician or medical doctor. The information and editorials in this newsletter are believed to be accurate, but readers who fail to consult with a physician assume the risk of injuries. (C) Copyright 2002 - 2007 Susan B. Kowalsky, N.D. All rights reserved. |