In previous post, it was mentioned that Special Education Philippines made a response post based on ADDitude’s Ten Foods to Boost Your ADHD Brain. We have covered already the first two groups mentioned in the original article of ADDitude namely: Food for Focus and Brain Boosting Elements. Today, we will be tackling the last two groups in that list.

Group 3 Benefits of Fish Oils

1. Omega 3-S

According to ADDitude, there is a study conducted comparing an ADD group of boys versus those who do not show the condition. It showed that the first group was deficient in Omega-3. In addition, people with ADHD who have “low blood levels of omega-3s will show the biggest improvement in mental focus and cognitive function”. Like mentioned, the most readily available omega 3 source for us is tuna. Another thing you can look for is oils fortified with omega-3S.

2. Picamilon – alright before you say “Wait Teacher ia you said locally available food sources for ADHD right?” hear me out first.  According to Wikipedia, this is indeed a food supplement being sold in the United States. In Russia, it is a prescribed drug although the drug company that owns the right to Picamilon is found in Moscow, Russia.

What is Picamilon?

Picamilon (also known as nicotinoyl-GABA, Pycamilon, and Pikamilon) is a dietary supplement formed by combining niacin with GABA.

What is GABA?

GABA or gamma-Aminobutyric acid is responsible for the regulation of muscle tone which in simply means it gives you good posture. GABA also functions as a neurotransmitter. It is also part of brain development and found in “various peripheral tissues and organs including, but not restricted to the intestine, stomach, pancreas, Fallopian tube, uterus, ovary, testis, kidney, urinary bladder, lung, and liver”. Those selling GABA commercially claim that GABA has a calming effect.

Where can I find GABA here in the Philippines?

GABA is actually synthesized in the brain. However, GABA is the most abundant amino acid in the apoplast of tomatoes. Now, before you complain of profuse bleeding due to the terms I am using I just want you to take note of two things: (1) GABA is an amino acid which can be destroyed by heat and (2) apoplast is found in the cell. So I guess, if you want to get the maximum benefit of GABA in tomatoes, you have to consume it raw and with the skin.

How about Niacin?

Niacin is actually Vitamin B3. You can find niacin in rice, tuna, anchovies (dilis), liver, paprika, bacon, chicken and sun-dried tomatoes.

So far, I have not heard of any establishment supplying picamilon here in the Philippines. In Amazon, a bottle of Picamilon with 90 capsules sells at $30.

Group 4: Treating Significant ADHD

Ginkgo and Ginseng - Honestly I have never tried giving Ginkgo  or Ginseng to my family. Although I’ve seen stalls in Quiapo selling this as dried herbs and I know in Manila there are many Chinese drugstores that will offer this. Also if you check out Sulit.com.ph, you can find several Filipino sellers selling Gingko Biloba and Ginseng food supplements. These two herbs are known as cognition activators which can help people with ADHD become less distractible and impulsive.

Pycnogenol – When I searched for pycnogenol in Wikipedia I am redirected to condensed tannins. And when you hear tannins you basically associate it with tree.  Actually Pycnogenol is the trademark name of a brand which derives condensed tannins from the pine bark of a tree known as Pinus pinaster. The active ingredients in pycnogenol can also be extracted from other sources, including peanut skin, grape seed, and witch hazel bark. Popular for its anti-aging effects, it protects brain cells from free radicals but still needs more trials for confirmation.

Rhodiola Rosea – This plant grows only in cold regions like the Arctic so it is not available in the Philippines. It is available though as a food supplement. I do not know of any suppliers here in the Philippines but it is available in Amazon.

What does Rhodiola Rosea do?

According to Dr. Brown, it can “improve alertness, attention, and accuracy. It can be too stimulating for young children, and is occasionally beneficial in children ages eight to 12″ He also said that it will be most useful for activities that require long and sustained attention such as reviewing for an exam, making a book report, writing a term paper and will work best especially for high school and college students.

I have to admit that for the last suggestion I cannot find an alternative here in the Philippines. But like many Filipino families here in the Philippines, Im sure that one of you has a friend or a relative that lives in the USA. Maybe you can ask them to send you these food supplements as part of their balikbayan box. But if in case there is really no way for you to get them abroad, there’s also need to worry. the worst case scenario in the list given for ADDitude is that Rhodiola Rosea cannot be locally found here in the Philippines. But everything else in the list can be. Not only that, they can be found organically. You also do not have to depend on food supplements. We just have to plan our meals right like mentioned in the first half of this post. Remember the goal is to have a well-balanced meal that will benefit our love ones with ADHD.

Have you attended any of the food supplements for ADHD listed above? Tell us what you think of by commenting below.

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