Workers who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) perform 22 days less work per year than people who don’t have the disorder, according to a research consortium at Harvard Medical School.
More than 7,000 employed and self-employed adults were screened for ADHD as part of the World Health Organization’s World Mental Health Survey Initiative. They were also asked about their performance at work in the last month. On average, 3.5 per cent of workers had ADHD. By extrapolating the data, those with ADHD were found to spend 22.1 more days per year not doing work compared to others without the disorder. This was made up of 8.4 days when they were unable to work or carry out their normal activities, 21.7 days of reduced work quantity and 13.6 days of reduced work quality.
Fortunately, adult ADHD can be addressed through natural therapies, including:
- Fish Oil: Omega 3 fatty acids, abundant in fish oil, are crucial for proper brain function. I recommend two to three grams daily.
- Meditation: Mindfulness meditation has been shown to help both adults and teens with ADHD.
- Exercise: Regular physical activity has been shown to raise levels of dopamine, which can improve concentration and focus.
Feeling occasionally distracted, disorganized or forgetful is common in today’s sensory-overload culture, but if such feelings are continuous or severely impacting your life, consider consulting a mental health professional to see if you meet the clinical criteria for ADHD.
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Vitamin K May Head Off Insulin Resistance
Supplementing with vitamin K could help protect men against insulin resistance, a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Researchers from Tufts University in Boston randomly assigned a group of 355 men and women between the ages of 60 and 80 to take a multivitamin with or without 500 micrograms of vitamin K. None of the participants were diabetic when they entered the study. After 3 years, the researchers found that there was less insulin resistance among the men who took the multivitamin plus “K” than among those whose multi didn’t contain vitamin K. (No such difference showed up among the women.) No one knows how vitamin K provided the benefit, although similar effects have shown up in earlier studies. One possibility is that the vitamin may have an anti-inflammatory action that helps; another theory is that it may somehow regulate other hormones that affect insulin and blood sugar control. Because it’s also involved in blood clotting mechanisms, supplementing with vitamin K is not recommended for anyone taking blood thinning medication such as Coumadin without close medical supervision. The new study was published online by Diabetes Care on August 12, 2008.
Supplement for Diabetics
The Endocrine Support Formula available through Dr. Weil’s Vitamin Advisor can help diabetics. Chromium, alpha-lipoic acid and Coenzyme Q10 work to promote the healthy utilization of insulin, vision and nerve health. See if it is right for you - visit Dr. Weil's Vitamin Advisor and get free shipping!
Mozart, Relaxation Tapes Reduce Blood Pressure
Listening to Mozart or to relaxing audio tapes could bring down blood pressure, especially when you do it on a regular basis. In a study involving seniors living in retirement communities, researchers from Seattle University found that spending 12 minutes three times a week listening to a relaxation tape led to a reduction in systolic (the top number) blood pressure by 9 mm of mercury; listening to Mozart instead brought about a 7 mm decline. No significant change was seen in diastolic (the bottom number) blood pressure. The researchers randomly assigned seniors to a group that listened to a relaxation tape with the sound of ocean waves plus a man’s voice directing breathing and relaxation exercises. The other group listened to a 12-minute Mozart sonata. All the participants were asked to continue listening to their tapes three times a week after the study, but at a three-month follow-up, only about half of them were still listening. The researchers said that they weren’t able to determine whether the blood pressure reductions seen in the study led to an improvement in health. The results were presented in September 2008 at an American Heart Association conference on blood pressure research.
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Broccoli or Cauliflower with a Soy-Lemon Dressing
Broccoli is especially popular for combating summer heat. Chinese doctors feel it is very beneficial for the eyes, and it is often prescribed for eye inflammations and nearsightedness. Some cooks suggest that if it is cooked until just tender, it will not cause gas.
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Healthy Aging Tip
Courtesy of Dr.Weil on Healthy Aging
Seasonal Foods: Walnuts. A mainstay of Dr. Weil’s nutrition recommendations, walnuts are an excellent vegetarian source of omega-3 fatty acids, protective fats that promote cardiovascular health, cognitive function, and anti-inflammatory activity. Walnuts also provide heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, ellagic acid, an immune-supportive antioxidant compound, and high levels of the essential amino acid l-arginine, which promotes healthy blood pressure.
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What’s New
Senior Health Care and Wellness Forum
September 29, 2008, Tucson, Arizona
Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, in partnership with PCOA, is sponsoring a special half-day forum on how to improve individual healthy aging. Special luncheon speaker will be Dr. Andrew Weil. The forum will also feature presentations by leading local experts on exercise & nutrition, and PCOA will present ways older adults can take responsibility for their own health. Cost is $25 per person. Seating is limited to 250 people. Reserve your seat today by registering online or RSVP by September 19 to PCOA at (520) 790-0504. YWCA, 525 N. Bonita Ave., Tucson Ariz.
Healthy Aging Workshop with Andrew Weil, M.D.
October 26 - 29, 2008, Tucson, Arizona
During this three-day workshop you'll learn techniques that will help you thrive in every stage of your life. Join Dr. Weil and his personally selected group of experts from various fields (nutrition, fitness, movement and more) pertaining to healthy aging. There are a limited number of openings for this extraordinary opportunity to meet and learn from Dr. Weil himself, the founder of the Program in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona. For more information, or to register visit Miraval's Web site.
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