A.D.D.

[BarryC]

Here is something interesting. I used to be an avid reader, but last year, during my second vegetarian phase, I lost all desire to read. This along with mild depression. This happened the first time I went vegan too. It had to be increased consumption of bread and pasta to make up for lack of meat. Now being gluten free for a month, I am back to enjoying reading, and feel much better emotionally and mentally. I'm NOT going back. Also, my A.D.D. symptoms have improved. Anyone else?

[rosetapper23]

Since you're back to reading now, I'd like to suggest a great book that includes a discussion on gluten associated with ADHD and ADD. It discusses the myriad neurological problems that can be caused by gluten, and it's the best book I've ever read on nutrition. It's called, "Primal Body, Primal Mind," by Nora Gedgaudas, and you can buy it quite cheaply through (Company Name Removed - They Spammed This Forum and are Banned). It sounds as though you've ceased eating a vegan/vegetarian diet, which is good, because the author points out that neurological damage is oftentimes the result of such a diet.

By the way, I noticed that you posted four times on the same subject, so some people might think they represent one posting that appeared multiple times. If you decide to add information to your original post, you can click on "edit" just below your posting, and the system allows you to go back into your original text so that you can revise or add to it. I know you're new at this....so I just thought I'd mention it. Welcome to the Forum! You'll find many knowledgeable people here.

[BarryC]

Thanks. Multiple postings prob A.D.D. symptom. Its a lot better but not gone. I think the gluten intolerance might make you more susceptible to diseases or magnify the symptoms if you already have them. Thanks for helping this rookie out! I especially want to help kids so they dont have to go through what I did-just think-eating gluten can be the cause of some mental and emotional things, especially when your hormones and systems are just developing.

[rosetapper23]

I agree with you wholeheartedly! Sadly, I oftentimes see young people (some as young as five) who suddenly develop neurological and emotional problems. The education system seems ill prepared to recognize what may be causing the sudden, strange behavior, and these young people end up in special schools or expelled. I believe that educators need to be informed of food intolerances and their effects on behavior.

[ChristenDG]

This is so interesting! I'm ADD and have experienced the same thing! I've only been gluten-free for one week now so I can't say I've seen any improvement in that...

When I went vegan and vegetarian I got SO sick. I thought I wasn't eating right and now getting enough nutrients, but I now find it was because I was taken in a lot more of the gluten-containing foods like wheat. I'm really looking forward to getting good at being gluten-free and then going vegan again.

[cbrob]

This is my first post on the forum. I am happy to say that within a week of going gluten free my ADD symptoms disappeared. I'd been dealing with many of the ADD issues since childhood, and into my 40's. I always struggled with names, faces, reading fiction, impulsive behavior, etc. I had a substantial personality change after dropping the gluten, all positive changes too.

[3bears2]

How do you think we should inform educators of this? I'm all ears.

[Scott D]

It seems it will take many yrs before the education systems will embrace gluten intolerance as a possible cause of ADD and resulting learning disabilities. As a former high school teacher myself, I must admit that I was skeptical of the ADD diagnosis as a cause of behavior and poor student performance. However, I always knew that I too had all the classic ADD symptoms myself.

But at age 44 I discovered that I was gluten intolerant--- within one week of being gluten-free, I felt a miraculous transformation. Not only gut-wise, but suddenly (for first time in my life) I had no ADD symptoms. Imagine the improved lives of thousands (possibly millions) of school age kids once gluten free is understood as a possible cure--- perhaps better behavior, higher test scores, greater success, happier lives!

But it's very complicated. For instance- imagine the challenge of making a public school cafeteria gluten free!?