Supplements for ADD/ADHD, Autism & Depression

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*Update*  Staying Focused In A Hyper World was just released today.

My good friend Andrea and I recently read the book Focus by John Gray (We got an early copy, but it's supposed to be out Spring of 2014).  Yes, the guy who wrote the book Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus.  This book is about a healthy diet and supplements that help ADD/ADHD, Autism, Depression, Bipolar, and lots of other problems.  No, this isn't a cure; it's a plan to give you energy and help you to be able to focus more, hence the title of the book.

What drew us to this book is that both of our kids have ADD/ADHD, and we didn't like the negative side effects from prescription medications.  I knew they only worked short-term anyway.  Schools forcing parents to keep their kids on them long term, I think, should be held accountable for the violence they bring out in kids. After reading the book, I decided that it is also really beneficial for us parents.

It looks like all the money I've wasted on therapy over the years, where they have told me I'm Bipolar.  No, that's not it, you have Depression, even had one tell me I was high functioning Autistic.  Really, I don't think they knew what was wrong with me, but I bet my son got his ADHD from me.  It would really make more sense than having other problems.  Especially since I don't really notice mood swings and don't think I'm depressed anymore than anyone else.  I may be an introvert, but I'm not Autistic.  Rather, I think they threw at me whatever diagnosis was popular at the time.

So, if there is a book that explains all of this, why am I writing a blog about this?  Well, I have a hard time paying for all the supplements through the www.marsvenus.com website.  Buying them for three people every month, I'd probably have to take out a second mortgage. So this is my list of what I have taken or take every month, linked to where I buy it.

Morning Supplements

Core Nutritionals Core Pro - Vanilla Cream. Started with the first one.  Currently trying 1/2 dose of PGX Weight Loss Meal Replacement French Vanilla now, though, cause it has PGX in it and I don't have to take a separate supplement, I use this in this recipe.
Now Foods Sodium Ascorbate is also used in this recipe.
Chia Seeds
Qunol Ultra CoQ10 (My Husband and I use this, but I don't give this to my son)
21st Century Grape Seed Extract
Naturemade Super B-Complex
Amazing Herbs Black Seed. I noticed they just doubled the price on this, so trying this one, Swanson Black Cumin Seed Microingredients Lithium Orotate.
Swanson's MSM
Swanson's Full Spectrum Ginkgo Leaf

Evening Supplements

Swanson's Higher Potency D-3. I always get sleepy after taking this.  Kind of like lying out in the sun for hours.
Lil Critters Gummy Vites. I know my son is 14, but he still gets this.  I think with all the other pills, he can be allowed one that he prefers.
Nature Way Alive!  Once Daily Women's Multivitamin. This is what I take.
GNC Mega Men Performance & Vitality Pack. My husband takes this.

After Exercising Supplements

If I'm hiking through the woods near my house on off gym days, I stick to Emergen-C, Mineral Water, and Kind Plus Granola bars.

Weight Lifting at the gym, though, and I need

XTEND Original BCAA Powder I usually make a chia seed coconut water energy drink before I go, click here for the recipe.

Sometimes my Iron Gets really low, even taking green smoothies every day, so I take Swanson's Blackstrap Molasses with Iron.

"When you're lost in the woods, it sometimes takes you a while to realize that you are lost.  For the longest time, you can convince yourself that you've just wandered off the path, that you'll find your way back to the trailhead any moment now.  Then night falls again and again, and you still have no idea where you are, and it's time to admit that you've bewildered yourself so far off the path that you don't even know from which direction the sun rises anymore."

--Elizabeth Gilbert