MinorityNurse.com

 

Pesticides And ADHD Connection Found By Researchers

A recent Time magazine report reveals that the medical journal Pediatrics has found what they believe to be a connection between pesticide exposure and ADHD (a learning disability known as "attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder") cases in U.S. and Canadian children. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate 4.5 million kids from age 5 to age 17 are diagnosed with ADHD in The US. Since 1997, that number has increased at a steady annual rate. Chemical influences like pesticides used to protect produce from insects are believed to contribute heavily to this upward trend. Some scientists believe it may have an even greater impact than other environmental factors like video games, television and online personnel loans advertisements that may have been linked previously to ADHD behavior.

Pesticides and ADHD - The organophosphates will get you

Pesticides with ADHD and toxic and of the organophosphates family, as outlined by Canadian and American collegiate researchers from the University of Montreal and Harvard. They tested for pesticide signs within the urine of a 1,100-child sample (ages 8 to 15) and found dialkyl phosphates in higher concentration in the urine of those who had already been diagnosed with ADHD. That strain of phosphate comes directly from metabolized organophosphate pesticides, as outlined by scientists. And for those without the disorder who had the highest concentration, the odds of being ADHD were up by 35 percent. However, even low levels of exposure seemed to increase the odds of pesticide-induced ADHD.

Think in terms of close connection, but not a definite cause as yet

The intercollegiate study does raise more questions that have to be answered concerning pesticides and ADHD. Organophosphates quickly sever nerve connections within the brain of pests, leading to eventual death. The pesticide blocks acetylcholinesterase transfer, which perhaps not coincidentally is what goes on within the brains of ADHD kids. The disruption may very well cause hyperactivity and learning difficulties in ADHD children, scientists believe.

So make an effort to buy organic and keep away from home pest sprays

Fruits and vegetables exposed to the pesticides in question would be the likely means through which the organophosphates are spread to the body. Thus, establishing a lot more thorough guidelines as to what pesticides are safe or how much could be used is essential. The safety standard must be set and not allowed to be pushed under the rug. Purchasing organic foods (or growing it at home) can help minimize exposure, and using bug spray should be avoided entirely.

Raw Foods SOS blog has some helpful ideas about the best solutions to go organic. Avoid the myths and go for what's real and practicable on an everyday basis. When you're at it, learn about how mercury seems much of the food we eat if you're looking for a good scare.

Resources for the article

Time magazine

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1989564,00.html?xid=rss-t... time/topstories (TIME: Top Stories)&utm_content=Google Reader

Raw Foods SOS

http://rawfoodsos.com/2010/04/30/the-lowdown-on-organic-foo/