Hypervigilance Continued:
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The Number of "Hardware Connections" Affects Intelligence
It's generally true that the more neural "connections" that are made, the more easily learning and memory may proceed. And, the less "connections" there are, the more frustrating learning and memory become. Thus, the correlation between the number/density of "connections" in a person's brain and intelligence, is high. Ironically, Attention Deficited persons are generally those, in the face of increased demand, who have likely maximized the use of the "connections" they have developed, some eventually learning to increase the efficiency of processing to meet the challenge. Hence, many are subsequently known to be above average in intelligence but it's possible that they would likely be even smarter if they could be provided the building material for more connections, allowing them the additional hardware, and thus the increased capacity to associate information even more creatively, while reducing the frustrations and anguish of being imprisoned in a neural system which they have physically outgrown!
Correcting The Metabolic Dysfunction of The Reticular Activating System
Fortunately, when appropriate (1) neural building materials, (2) precursors to neurotransmitters and (3) an appropriate fund of neural buffers are supplied, neural networks may be created and forged quickly in order to meet the increasing demands of heavy neural traffic, especially in the prepubescent individual. In fact, given the chance, individual neurons can grow at the rate of 3-5mm per day! And, there are roughly 100 billion neurons in the brain to be developed, along with a staggering 900 billion supporting glial ("helper") cells - a grand total of one trillion (1,000,000,000,000) cells to be nurtured! That's 10 times the number of stars estimated to be in our galaxy!
Neural Building Materials Really Are That Important
One half of the dry weight of the brain (neurons, glial and brain cells) is made up of fatty acids and lipids. The "hard neural connections," or synapses, between all these essential areas of the brain where the coordination of memory and learning take place, is largely made possible by the structures of fatty acids and phospholipids alone. And, the physical number of neural connections then potentiates further production of neurotransmitters and neural buffers, which in turn, enhance memory processing and learning even more. If these essential building blocks of the brain's "hardware" and "software" are not adequately provided for, then many "connections" will simply not be made or developed.
Considering the above biological facts, we may be able to naturally combat the symptoms of poor attention by including some key neural building materials into our diet. These are readily available in the form of advanced neurally specific dietary supplements (like Växa's Attend):
Free Form Amino Acids acting as critical neurotransmitters and precursors to hormones which stimulate growth throughout the body, and like GABA and DLPA providing the necessary balance (inhibition and stimulation) of neural pathways, helping to target, direct and focus attention.
Safe Trace Elements like Lithium and other micronutritionals which critically aid in the balance of the major catecholamines of the brain: Serotonin, Dopa, Norepinephrine.
Phospholipids and Fatty Acids such as Omega-6s and Omega-3s, AA, DHA, and GLA, provide the essential building blocks of the neural network and gray matter of the brain.
Catecholamine Precursors (such as naturally-occurring trans- and cis-chloramide, a natural conjugated form of L-dopa) to dopamine, acetylcholine and norepinephrine, the three most important neurotransmitters within the brain.
Natural Hormones like pregnenolone for memory retention and critically important in establishing neural growth.
Flavanoids like Pycnogenol® which help feed and strengthen the small capillaries within new neural growth sites, preventing free radical cascade damage to the expanding neural network.

Växa's Attend supplies all of these important nutritional factors, and there are no side effects, unlike most prescriptive drugs. Because of this bounty of nutraceuticals, Attend will likely enhance the positive effectiveness of other pharmaceuticals and can be used conjointly without difficulty while in transition from less preferred drugs.
As it takes time for new neural growth to be integrated within existing neural pathways, the effects of Attend generally begin to be noticed within a few weeks to a few months, depending on how long the body has been deprived of these essential nutrients. As your child begins to assimilate these very special nutrients and new neural pathways can be appropriately nourished, you should expect to see improved social skills, more self-control, increased powers of attention, sustained interest and overall, a more happy, contented, well behaved individual over time.
Children who are exceptionally hyperactive (ADHD) and tend to throw temper tantrums will find additional support with Växa's Extress. Additionally, all children who are ADD/ADHD/LD will find nutritional support from Växa's additional supplement called Memorin+, which aids in memory retention and makes learning easier with less frustration. Adults who still suffer from Attention Difficulties will also be aided by taking Attend as a daily supplement with Memorin+. Växa's Support Pac for children and adults who suffer from distraction and attention difficulties supplies all three formulas for your convenience.

Common Neural Processing & Behavioral Traits of an Attention Deficited Individual (ADD/ADHD/LD):
1: Gives up easily on tasks, assignments and self-interests.
2: Poor reality testing skills, and avoidant of reason or logic.
3: Poorly developed skills of integration, interpolation and extrapolation.
4: Poor skills of attention and concentration, unable to sustain focus of interest.
5: Difficulties in short term and long term memory acquisition and management.
6: Difficulty in making up their mind, or making choices without undue anxiety.
7: Poor planning abilities, unable to follow through consistently or complete tasks.
8: Difficulty in differentiating between competing, extraneous stimulation.
9: Easily distracted from tasks, gives up easily on what they're working on.
10: Often over-stimulated and over-sensitized to their surroundings, conversations or social interactions.
11: Poor listening skills, often interrupts others, abruptly changes topic.
12: Overly excitable, reactive and easily perseverating from one situation to another.
13: Inability to manage emotional responses, overly responsive to depressive neural cascade patterns leading to temper tantrums.
14: Easily frustrated, emotional labile/unstable leading to immediate changeable moods, behavioral inconsistencies.
15: Often hyperactive, fidgety, overwhelmed with feelings of restlessness.
16: Inability to maintain appropriate social conduct, often disruptive in school.
17: Experiences difficulty in following instructions and guidance.
18: Impatient, continuing difficulties in delaying gratification.
19: Overly demanding, may become self-destructive and aggressive.
20: Poor sleep patterns, often not rested, angry or despondent upon rising.
Selected References:
Benson, D.F., The role of frontal dysfunction in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, J. Child Neurol., 6(supp):S9-S12, 1991.
Blackwood, A.L., M.D.; Manual of Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacology, Second Edition, Chicago, 1922.
Bradley, P.R., British Herbal Compendium, Volume 1, British Herbal Medicine Association, Biddles Ltd, England, 1992.
Chabot, R.J., Merkin, H., Wood, L.M., Davenport, T.L., Serfontein, G., Sensitivity and Specificity of QEEG in children with attention deficit or specific developmental learning disorders, Clinical Electroencephalography, Vol. 27, No. 1, pg. 26-34, 1996.
Dewey, W.A., M.D.; Practical Homeopathic Therapeutics, Third Edition, San Francisco, 1934.
Duke, J.A., CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, CRC Press, Boca Raton, 1989.
Dyme, I.Z., Sahakian, B.J., Golinko, B.E., Perseveration induced by methylphenidate (Ritalin®) in children. A research note. J. Child Psychol. Psychiatry, 28, 897-902, 1989.
Gray, R., Rajan, A.S., Radcliffe, K.A., Yakehiro, M., Dani, J.A., Hippocampal synaptic transmission enhanced by low concentrations of nicotine, Nature, Vol 383, 713-716, October, 1996.
Gur, R.C., Packer, I.K., Hungerbuhler, J.P., et al, Differences in the distribution of gray and white matter in human cerebral hemispheres, Science, 207:1226-1228, 1980.
Flood, J.F., Morley, J.E., Roberts, E., Pregnenolone sulfate enhances post-training memory processes when injected in very low doses into limbic system structures: the amygdala is by far the most sensitive, Proceeds of the National Academy of Science, USA, 92 (23) Pg 10806-10, Nov 1995.
Lehninger, A.L.; Biochemistry, Worth Publishers, Inc., 70 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y., July 1972.
Malone, M.A., Kershner, J.R., Swanson, J.M., Hemispheric processing and Methylphenidate (Ritalin®) effects in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, Journal of Child Neurology, Vol. 9, No. 2, pg 181-189, April 1994.
McGehee, D.S., and Role, L.W., Memories of Nicotine, Nature, Vol 383, 670-671, October, 1996.
Mesulam, M.A., Large-scale neurocognitive networks and distributed processing for attention, language, and memory, Annals of Neurology, 28: 597-613, 1990.
Mowrey, D.B., The Scientific Validation of Herbal Medicine, Keats Publishing, Inc, New Canaan, Connecticut, 1986.
Petersorf, R., et al. (eds); Harrisons' Principles of Internal Medicine, McGraw-Hill, New York, N.Y., 1983.
Reckeweg, H.H., M.D.; Materia Medica Homeopathica Anthomotoxica: Volume 1, Baden-Baden (translation of third German Edition of 1983).
Robbins, S.L., et al; Pathological Basis of Disease, W.B. Sanders, Philadelphia, PA, 1984.
Sokol, M.S., Campbell, M., Goldstein, M., Keiechman, A.M., Attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity and the dopamine hypothesis: Case presentations with theorectical background. J. Am. Acad. Adolesc. Psychiartry, 28, 897-902, 1988.
Solanto, M.V., Wendel, E.H., Does methylphenidate (Ritalin^®) constrict cognitive functioning? J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc Psychiatry, 28:897-902, 1989.
Suffin, S., and Emory, W.H., Neurometric subgroups in attentional and affective disorders and their association with pharmacotherapeutic outcome, Clinical Electroencephalography, Vol. 26, No.21, pg. 76-83, 1995.
Tucker, D.M., Developing emotions and cortical networks, in Gunnar, M., Nelson, C. (eds), Minnesota Symposium on Child Psychology, Vol 24: Developmental Behavioral Neuroscience, Lawrence Erlbaum (Publishers), Hillsdale, N.J., 1991.
Voeller, K.S., Alexander, A., Hellman, K.M., Defective response inhibition in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Neurology, 40(supp):1:410, 1990.
Peiper, H. and Hoffman, R.L., "ADD: The Natural Approach," Natural Foods Merchandiser, Sept 97.
Kolata, G., "Ethical questions spring up as use of Ritalin mushrooms," San Diego Union Tribune, May 18, 1996.
Machan, D., "An Agreeable Affliction," Forbes, August 12, 1996.

Library Articles On Various Nutritional Subjects.
     Article On Attention Deficit Disorder ADD ADHD.
     The Blinding Truth About Nutritional Supplements.
     Homeopathic Nutritional Supplements.
     What Is Homeopathy?
     Using Homeopathic Nutraceuticals.
     Illness Recovery Strategies.
     Bioavailability of Amino Acids, Proteins, Other Facts.
     Three Biofactors of Life.
     Oral Chelation Health-Pac Program.

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