Time magazine indicates that a medical journal called Pediatrics may have found an interesting link between pesticide exposure and ADHD in children. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate 4.5 million children from age 5 to age 17 have been diagnosed with ADHD in The United States. Since 1997, that number has increased at a steady annual rate. Chemicals used on the food we eat like pesticides are often felt to be key contributors to this trend. Some scientists believe it may have an even greater impact than other environmental factors like video games, television and online personal loan advertisements that may are linked previously to ADHD behavior.

Pesticides and ADHD - The organophosphates will get you

Toxic pesticides with an ADHD connection are better known as being comprised of organophosphates, according to a University of Montreal/Harvard study. By observing the levels of pesticide residue within the urine samples of a lot more than 1,100 children aged 8 to 15, researchers found that those subjects with ADHD had the highest levels of dialkyl phosphates present. These are the byproducts of organophosphate pesticides once they're broken down. With each and every tenfold increase in residue detected, the scientists found a 35 percent increase in the odds of pesticide exposure causing ADHD. However, even low levels of exposure seemed to increase the odds of pesticide-induced ADHD.

An association, not a causal link

If anything, this University of Montreal/Harvard University study opens the door for further inquiry, even if it doesn't conclusively prove that organophosphate pesticides cause ADHD. Organophosphates quickly sever nerve connections in the brain of pests, leading to eventual death. The pesticide blocks acetylcholinesterase transfer, which perhaps not coincidentally is what goes on within the brains of ADHD kids. This blockage is believed to be linked to the hyperactive behavior and learning difficulty of ADHD children.

Go organic on the foods and stay from home pesticides

It is commonly believed that children would be exposed to the pesticide via ingested food, most specifically fruits and vegetables. Thus, establishing more thorough guidelines as to what pesticides are safe or how much can be used is essential. The safety standard must be set and not allowed to be pushed under the rug. Purchasing organic foods (or growing it at home) can help minimize exposure, and using bug spray should be avoided entirely.

To avoid some of the organic food myths and cut to the practicable reality, consider the Raw Foods SOS blog. Don't go for the myths and learn how to eat healthy on a daily basis. Then read about how there's mercury in much of what we eat; it's great for a bedtime ghost story, starring high fructose corn syrup.

Citations

Time magazine

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1989564,00.html?xid=rss-topstories&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed: time/topstories (TIME: Top Stories)&utm_content=Google Reader

Raw Foods SOS

http://rawfoodsos.com/2010/04/30/the-lowdown-on-organic-foo/