Does Pesticide Residue Up ADHD Risk?

According to the National Institute of Mental Health two to three percent of children have ADHD.  This means that in a typical classroom at least one child has ADHD.  The NIMH estimates that about 2 million children in the United States have ADHD.  It has been proven that pesticide residue from food nearly double ADHD risk in children. Certain foods and additives have already been linked to an increased ADHD risk, but it is equally important to be concerned about ADHD in relationship to pesticide residue on foods, as well as what is in food.

Malathion, a widely overused lawn, garden, and agricultural chemical is one of the main culprits.  The National Academy of Sciences measured concentrations of malathion on fruit and vegetable samples in 2008, and found that 28% of frozen blueberry samples, 25% of fresh strawberry samples, and 19 % of celery samples here in the United States had detectable concentrations of malathion.

How can you protect your child from pesticide residue and help prevent your child from being diagnosed with ADHD?

1.      Buy organic foods as much as possible.

2.      Wash all produce! Running a little bit of water over fruits and vegetables is not enough.

3.      Have a diet that is high in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans and organic fish, meat or chicken.

4.      Stay away from fast food, processed meats, red meat, non- organic dairy and sweets.

5.      As much as possible, make sure foods are free from chemicals, pesticides, additives, artificial flavors and food dyes.

Dr. Martha Howard, MD is a practitioner with Chicago Healers (www.chicagohealers.com), the nations pioneer prescreened integrative health care network and a board member of the National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine.