Pesticides on Produce Tied to ADHD in Children
Pepe Silvia
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http://news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20100517/hl ... inchildren
Pesticides on Produce Tied to ADHD in Children
MONDAY, May 17 (HealthDay News) -- New research suggests that exposure to high levels of organophosphate pesticides, commonly found on berries, celery and other produce, could raise the odds for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.
At this point, though, there is no evidence that pesticide exposure can actually cause ADHD, stated the authors of a paper appearing in the June issue of Pediatrics.
Certainly parents and children shouldn't swear off fruits and veggies, said study lead author Maryse Bouchard, an adjunct researcher in the department of environmental and occupational health at the University of Montreal and at Sainte-Justine University Hospital Centre. However, "I think it's safe to say that we should as much as possible reduce our exposure to pesticides," she said.
That would meaning going organic, buying at farmers' markets and washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly before consuming them, she said.
"I always encourage my families to embrace healthy lifestyles in general," agreed Dr. Nakia Scott, clinical assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral science at Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine and a child psychiatrist with Lone Star Circle of Care. "I think it's much more important that they're eating fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains instead of sodas and fast foods and I'm not saying that they're not going to eat any produce because it might contain pesticides."
Previous research has shown an association between both prenatal and postnatal organophosphate exposure and developmental problems in young children.
But most prior studies have focused on excessive rather than average exposure to organophosphates.
"Organophosphates are one of the most widely used pesticides in agriculture to protect crops and fruits and vegetables," Bouchard noted. "For children, the major source of exposure would be the diet -- fruits and vegetables in particular."
In their study, Bouchard and her colleagues analyzed data on pesticide exposure and ADHD in more than 1,100 American children aged 8 to 15.
Children with higher pesticide levels in their urine were more likely to have ADHD, the team found.
"The analysis showed that the higher the level of exposure [as measured by metabolites in the urine], the higher the odds of having ADHD," Bouchard added.
Just how might pesticides harm brain development? According to the authors, high doses of organophosphates may inhibit acetylcholinesterase, a nervous system enzyme. Lower doses of the pesticide may affect different growth factors and neurotransmitters.
The findings, if replicated, may provide another clue into the causes of ADHD, a condition which affects three to seven percent of school-aged children, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"We do have a fair amount of evidence about other causes of ADHD," Scott said. "We know that ADHD is a highly heritable disorder. At least one-third of fathers who have had ADHD in their youth have a child with ADHD."
"There are also prenatal risks such as tobacco exposure and alcohol exposure," she added. "There's also a possibility that children who are exposed to high levels of lead prior to the age of six may develop ADHD."
Pesticides on Produce Tied to ADHD in Children
MONDAY, May 17 (HealthDay News) -- New research suggests that exposure to high levels of organophosphate pesticides, commonly found on berries, celery and other produce, could raise the odds for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.
At this point, though, there is no evidence that pesticide exposure can actually cause ADHD, stated the authors of a paper appearing in the June issue of Pediatrics.
Certainly parents and children shouldn't swear off fruits and veggies, said study lead author Maryse Bouchard, an adjunct researcher in the department of environmental and occupational health at the University of Montreal and at Sainte-Justine University Hospital Centre. However, "I think it's safe to say that we should as much as possible reduce our exposure to pesticides," she said.
That would meaning going organic, buying at farmers' markets and washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly before consuming them, she said.
"I always encourage my families to embrace healthy lifestyles in general," agreed Dr. Nakia Scott, clinical assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral science at Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine and a child psychiatrist with Lone Star Circle of Care. "I think it's much more important that they're eating fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains instead of sodas and fast foods and I'm not saying that they're not going to eat any produce because it might contain pesticides."
Previous research has shown an association between both prenatal and postnatal organophosphate exposure and developmental problems in young children.
But most prior studies have focused on excessive rather than average exposure to organophosphates.
"Organophosphates are one of the most widely used pesticides in agriculture to protect crops and fruits and vegetables," Bouchard noted. "For children, the major source of exposure would be the diet -- fruits and vegetables in particular."
In their study, Bouchard and her colleagues analyzed data on pesticide exposure and ADHD in more than 1,100 American children aged 8 to 15.
Children with higher pesticide levels in their urine were more likely to have ADHD, the team found.
"The analysis showed that the higher the level of exposure [as measured by metabolites in the urine], the higher the odds of having ADHD," Bouchard added.
Just how might pesticides harm brain development? According to the authors, high doses of organophosphates may inhibit acetylcholinesterase, a nervous system enzyme. Lower doses of the pesticide may affect different growth factors and neurotransmitters.
The findings, if replicated, may provide another clue into the causes of ADHD, a condition which affects three to seven percent of school-aged children, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"We do have a fair amount of evidence about other causes of ADHD," Scott said. "We know that ADHD is a highly heritable disorder. At least one-third of fathers who have had ADHD in their youth have a child with ADHD."
"There are also prenatal risks such as tobacco exposure and alcohol exposure," she added. "There's also a possibility that children who are exposed to high levels of lead prior to the age of six may develop ADHD."
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"I will promise you this, that if we have not gotten our troops out by the time I am president, it is the first thing I will do. I will get our troops home. We will bring an end to this war. You can take that to the bank." - Barack Obama
when you told me 'if you can't beat 'em, join 'em'
i was thinkin 'death before dishonor'
what are you but my reflection? who am i to judge or strike you down?
"I will promise you this, that if we have not gotten our troops out by the time I am president, it is the first thing I will do. I will get our troops home. We will bring an end to this war. You can take that to the bank." - Barack Obama
when you told me 'if you can't beat 'em, join 'em'
i was thinkin 'death before dishonor'
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Comments
I don't think it is stupid, but people who have not had experience with it themselves are the ones who think it is dreamed up. It is like depression. Some people think it is just about being sad because they haven't gone through clinical depression. It is an imbalance in your brain. It might be over-diagnosed, but that doesn't change the reality for some. And while a lot of psychiatrists diagnose and treat with medication I found that way that allowed me to function as a regular person was cognitive behavioral therapy. Wish more would do this.
Back to the main topic, I hope everyone in the world understands that there is a cost/benefit to everything we put in our bodies. Pesticides, hormone therapy, and other garbage have to have some kind of cost. It is unfortunate it is hard to find some of the links.
It is terrifying when you are too stupid to know who is dumb
- Joe Rogan
I don't think it was dreamed up. I do think it is over diagnosed and the drugs are over prescribed.
they are laughing their way to the bank
As a mother of an ADHD kid.... (as well as a social worker with close to 20 years professional experience) I can assure you that his ADHD is not dreamed up by a pharmeceutical company....
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it isn't ... it's a combination of things ... we are fucking with nature because we keep incorporatin toxic things into everything all the while allowing corporations to breed our food supply (see industrialization of food and gmo) ... then they wonder when these abnormalities increase ... there was a town in japan that had a huge toxic chemical leak and the kids all started being borne with deformaties ... it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see the connection ... but that still hasn't stopped us from putting shit everywhere ...
definitely...it has become a catchall for behavior problems but i know for a fact that it is real...i've been dealing with it for 30 years...unfortunately the first 10 years were jr/high school...it was torture
i am certain i have adhd... my friends can attest to it... LOL ... and my work habits etc... SCREAM of it!! (My old boss is a Columbia educated LCSW and was like... ahhh... you think you're ADHD? ... LOL... YOU THINK?!?!?) I have learned to compensate for it... as I was never diagnosed as a kid or anything... I still toy with the idea of getting treated for it... but havent pursued it... However.... My son? WOWZA. The Daytrana he takes... well.. it makes his life sooooo much easier!! His life would consist of people constantly yelling at him if not for the meds... It's ABSOLUTELY incredible. We think back to before he had them... and it's crazy. We try to give him less on the weekends... so he will eat more... and you can tell as soon as it's wearing off... No need to look at a clock... Just observe the kid....
(and... btw... it does anything but "drug him up" ... you would never for a second think he was on "meds..." )
that is the part of the meds that most people don't get. I know when I was on them it just sort of made my mind work like other peoples, it didn't turn me into some zombie. However, I hated the side-effects of the dexdrostat so much I quit taking them. i just hope the meds have come a long way so they aren't as physically demanding. the big D and constant teeth grinding were no fun.
that being said, treating with cognitive behavioral therapy has been far more successful for me than drugs ever were, but i am an adult, much easier to handle things that way than a kid.
It is terrifying when you are too stupid to know who is dumb
- Joe Rogan
thanks so much for sharing... My son definitely grinds his teeth sometimes.. :( ... and ... what is the big D? Depresion??
well yes, that was also a huge problem for me, but I was referring to the unfortunate thing that happens in the bathroom. However I think doing nothing about it for so long and feeling like a failure in a lot of areas of life as a young adult led to a pretty severe depression that has ruined many many things in my life. I finally took control over this stuff and said "no more" and got myself into therapy and I can tell you that after huge life changes and a serious look at how I live my life, I am over it and will never go back.
I don't wish clinical depression on anyone, it is so much more than just being sad, and ADHD is so much more than being rowdy...the brain is a mysterious and beautiful thing.
If this is true and they can find a causation I sure hope parents take control and start watching what they put into kids.
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and the teeth grinding/jaw clenching is the absolute worst. Make sure you do watch that because it happens when I wasn't getting enough water with my medication...at least that is when I noticed it the most.
It is terrifying when you are too stupid to know who is dumb
- Joe Rogan