Hafer Diet Connected To ADD/ADHD

The Hafer Theory is a studying done (more than 20 years) connecting the dietary consumption of certain foods and beverages and the noticeable negative effect it has on ADD/ADHD. Hafer discovered that there is a common component in foods which affect ADD/ADHD. This component is phosphate. She publish her findings in her book called “The Hidden Drug- Dietary Phosphate (Cause of Behavior Problems, Learning Difficulties and Juvenile Delinquency. Hafer argues that phosphates trigger ADD symptoms. On page 91-116 of her book, it explains in great detail how the phosphates and acids of the citric acid cycle affect a sensitive person’s metabolism. 1 tsp or 1 tbsp (depending on weight) of red wine vinegar (which contains acetic acid) can neutralize the affects of phosphates.

Tip: 1 tsp of organic red wine with 1 tsp distilled water and a tiny bit raw organic honey.

Phosphate is a common ingredient in Processed Foods (used as preservatives, emulsifiers, stabilizers, thickeners, self-rising bread, and any sodas). It is also a mineral that is vital for many life processes in our bodies. These types of phosphates should be pulled from ADD/ADHD diet!

Hafer’s claim to limit amount of phosphate/phosphorus from diet. Because we need this mineral for healthy development, it would not be wise to eliminate it entirely from our diet. 

Here are examples of Natural Foods that contain phosphate that should be limited in ADD/ADHD diet: Egg yolk (the lecithin in yolks is a high source of phosphate), all dairy products, all seeds (peas, lentils, dried beans, etc), most nuts (peanuts, walnuts, almonds, etc), soya bean products, and all whole grains. Sugar intensifies the body’s response to phosphate rich foods, alcohol exacergates the excess effect of phosphate, and citric acid effect on the body’s metabolism effects the phosphates.

The World Health Organization recommends that our daily intake of  800-1000mg to be consumed dialy in a 1:1 ration with calcium.  A German study revealed on an average that many individuals are consuming between two to three times this recommended daily allowance upsetting the delicate mineral balance leading to other mineral deficiencies affecting the nervous system and triggering ADD symptoms. Health professionals can agree that nearly every child with ADD/ADHD is deficient in magnesium, calcium, potassium, and zinc. Excess phosphate interferes with the absorption of these minerals.

There is no cure for phosphate sensitivity. A low-phosphate diet have shown to provide incredible results with ADD/ADHD.

Enthusiastically yours,

This entry was posted on 20. March 2010 at 17:50 and is filed under ADD/ADHD Brain Chemistry, Proper Nutrition for ADD/ADHD. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.