A Natural Approach to ADD/ADHD

By: Dr. Michael Morsillo, B.Sc., N.D.

Are you frustrated with the management of your child’s ADD/ADHD?  Are you worried about your child using stimulant drugs?  Are you looking for other effective treatment options?  Naturopathic Medicine provides safe and effective treatment options for ADD/ADHD and may be just what you’re looking for.

Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder has become a common diagnosis for children and it can impact a child’s life in the classroom and at home.  Most children with this condition will have a poor attention span and an inability to focus for long periods; for some, they will also exhibit violent and aggressive behaviour.  As a Naturopathic Doctor, I always look to identify various underlying causes of behaviour and learning challenges, including ADD/ADHD, and I individualize treatment plans to meet the child’s specific needs.

Diet and nutrition have a tremendous impact on behaviour, especially for children with ADD/ADHD.  For these children, it is absolutely critical that we make sure their diets are providing them with high quality nutrients (vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, healthy fats) every single day.  Blood sugar control issues are a common factor in ADD/ADHD and parents will often notice that behaviour changes when meals are skipped/delayed or after lots of sugary foods have been consumed.  We always make sure to test children for these possible blood sugar issues so that we can use dietary changes and natural treatments to help improve this. 

We also want to make sure that the child’s diet is working FOR them and not AGAINST them.  Children with ADD/ADHD are often particularly susceptible to food additives, preservatives, and artificial colours so it is very important we make sure their diets do not contain these.  Food allergies/sensitivities can also negatively impact a child’s brain health and behaviour.  The majority of children with ADD/ADHD have food sensitivities contributing to their symptoms, but are never identified!  At our Naturopathic clinic, we perform a very simple finger stick blood test to detect food sensitivities.  For many children, it is amazing to witness the shift in behaviour, learning and mood after removing these food sensitivities.  We will often use tests to identify a wide range of nutrient deficiencies.  Even a deficiency of a single nutrient can have such a dramatic impact on one’s overall health, mood, and behaviour so it is important to address this issue as children with ADD/ADHD will often have several nutrient deficiencies that need to be corrected.

In many cases, we will also consider toxins as a possible factor involved in the development of ADD/ADHD.  There are many toxins that we are exposed to daily, and these can be very harmful to the brain and nervous system, especially heavy metals.  Heavy metals can be detected with a hair mineral analysis or urine sample; we will use diet, nutrition, herbs, and homeopathic remedies to help the body detoxify and remove these toxins.

At our Newmarket Naturopathic clinic we identify the root causes of behavioural issues and we provide natural solutions that can help improve your child’s life at home and at school.

Dr. Michael Morsillo is a naturopathic doctor who is passionate about helping others achieve their optimal level of health.  Michael maintains a clinical practice in Newmarket, where he focuses on cancer, anxiety, depression, thyroid disorders, detoxification, and weight loss. 

For more information or to schedule an appointment:

Call 905-898-1844 (ext. 135) or email dr.morsillo@gmail.com