Natural/nutritional ways to improve mental focus?

[pagerbear]

I'm not sure I have ADD, but I do seem to have some mild symptoms, particularly the following:
Difficulty focusing on one task for long periods of time
Inconsistent attention to detail
Difficulty starting or finishing projects

In fact, my frequent posting to DU could be a symptom of ADD!

Anyway, I wonder if any of you fine folks know of ways I might improve my focus nutritionally, or with supplements. Not going to bother seeing a doctor, since I don't really want to take drugs for this. Any input?

[rawtribe]

1. dragon herbs

http://www.dragonherbs.com/programs/programs.asp?program=15

[pagerbear]

2. Dang! Those things don't come cheap, do they?

[Trailrider1951]

3. Ginko Biloba

seems to have some positive effects in clinical trials. Cheap too, and available most everywhere with a vitamin and supplements section.

[HallowsEve]

5. Ginko's good

B-vitamins....especially 12 which is good for mood/mental stabilization (which can help focus). I also wonder is it only your attention span that is hyper or are you physically antsy-bouncybouncy? If so, some herbal sedatives (I use that term mildly) may also help...damiana(not for the ladies...it is an emmenagogue), catnip, skullcap, hops, kavakava, passionflower...there are several and most make tasty teas with a little licorice and sweetener. Let me know before taking if you are on meds...

[lastknowngood]

6. I tried Ginkoba but couldn't remember to take it

n/t

[Nikia]

8. My cousin and little brother take this

They've done much better in school since taking it and have an easier time concentrating.

[Beware the Beast Man]

4. In this society ADD is pretty darn common

Yeah, I'd definitely explore alternative solutions. Sometimes I feel the same way you do. Yet I am highly suspicious of those "adult ADD" commercials on TV.

[slappypan]

7. regular cardio-vascular exercise helps

Has made a huge difference for me. Also yoga.

[Speck Tater]

9. Here's one thing to consider...

Both saturated and unsaturated fats form an oily coating on red blood cells which encourages clumping, causing small vessels and capillaries to become temporarily plugged up. This can reduce both oxygen and glucose to the brain by anywhere from 5% tp 20%. This results in a kind of fuzzy headed "high" (low carb faddists mistakenly think this "high" means that all that dietary fat is good for them because it makes them feel "good". What they are feeling is pretty much what being drunk does to the brain, i.e., starves it of oxygen.)

Keep the fats down and complex carbs up for better circulation to the brain, and less low-carb ketone damage to the liver.

(For the record, Dr. Carlton Fredricks invented the low carb fad in the 60's. When it was discredited and forgotten Dr. Stillwell dredged it up again until it was again discredited and forgotten in the 80's. Lately Dr. Atkins dredged it up yet again. Same old discredited crap in a shiney new wrapper. Two of those three doctors were grossly overweight and died of heart disease. Dr. Fredricks dropped the anti-carbohydrate stand and changed to anti-refined carbs, which is actually good advice.)

[Nay]

10. I have noticed quite an improvement with Ginko.

When I don't take it for a few days, I can really tell the difference. I have tried other supplements of different kinds and could never notice a difference, but ginko I could.

[Taverner]

11. St Johns Wort

[DemExpat]

12. Fatty fish like salmon, herring, sardines and mackeral......

have good fats for nourishing the brain and nervous system.

If vegetarian, try flaxseed oil or ground flaxseeds.

I find my mental alertness higher when I take care to eat regular portions of cooked and raw leafy green veggies, like spinach or kale.

DemEx