Introducing a low-phosphate diet:

We can always help ADHD children find their way in life by supporting their strengths and encouraging them to do their best according to their individual abilities. But the most important first step and possibly - but not necessarily - the most difficult step to take is to restore to normal their molecular imbalances in the body. Chemical imbalances are the underlying cause of ADD/ADHD and chemical imbalances in very many cases can be restored to normal by making some significant changes to our diet. We would like to help you take that step by showing you what to do.

We obtain energy from the food that we eat. The nutrients (minerals & vitamins) in our food control our bodies: they contribute to our well-being and determine our performance in life. Health professionals working in the field of nutritional medicine agree that nearly every child with ADD is deficient in magnesium, calcium, potassium and zinc. Excess phosphate interferes with the absorption of those minerals. Hertha Hafer maintains that when we reduce our intake of phosphate, our molecular imbalances - deficiences and excesses - are restored to normal.

Professor Jelinek, MD in his book Taking control of MS observed that "natural therapies are potentially less harmful and much more beneficial in other ways." And eminent neurologist Professor Swank, MD concurred: "A lifestyle change will have to take place, which may be a challenge for you, but the challenges of living with a disability are much greater."

The Hafer-diet is not a phosphate-free diet as in the past many have mistakenly believed it to be, nor is it unduly restrictive as there is plenty of good food to eat. The low-phosphate diet seeks to exclude from the diet all foods that contain elevated levels of dietary phosphate. Minerals control the body's chemical balance. And phosphorus is one of those essential minerals vital for healthy human development. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends approximately 800-1000 mg to be consumed daily in a 1:1 ratio with calcium. Phosphorus is a mineral that occurs naturally in many foods. High dietary intake of phosphorus (as phosphates), however, may upset the calcium/phosphorus balance, leading to mineral deficiencies and subsequently causing innumerable health problems with ADHD being just one of them.

The low-phosphate diet goes back to the very basics. All foods high in phosphate, whether it is added commercially or occurs naturally, are suspect foods, where the commercially added phosphates are more suspect than the naturally occuring.

Every individual has a different tolerance level to the amount of dietary phosphate s/he can consume. Many people can consume whatever they like without experiencing any problems at all. Others, however, have a very low tolerance level to excess phosphate. When their particular level of tolerance is exceeded, they react with behavioral problems, with ADD/ADHD or they develop skin disorders such as eczema or neuro-dermatitis. Others become susceptible to allergies, to asthma or to hayfever. A highly sensitive person may develop several disorders simultaneously - irritability, ADHD and eczema, for example. It is important to note that no two people have the same tolerance level, therefore every person must find his or her individual level at which the behavioral problems or other symptoms become manifested.

You can find your individual tolerance level by cutting all foods high in phosphate from the diet for a period of three to four weeks to see if there is an improvement in health. Thereafter various foods can be re-introduced into the diet, one at a time. Start with foods containing natural phosphates only. You may well discover that you can easily tolerate a small yoghurt or one egg a day but that two eggs plus other foods high in phosphate may cause a problem. It is a matter of trial and error. Eventually you will discover the perfect dietary balance for yourself or your sensitive family member.

How to get started? View the link Getting Started. Or go to our recipes section.