WHAT IS DYSLEXIA?
Developmental
Learning Disorder (DLD) (also known as Dyslexia) is a neurological condition
that interferes with the acquisition and processing of language and print. Specifically, it’s a reading problem that
results from the inability to translate letters into their corresponding sounds
and conversely, to relate sounds to their corresponding letters.
Short-term
memory, mathematics, concentration, personal organization and sequencing may
also be affected.
Simply put, it is a neurological related
learning disability.
YOU SHOULD NO: Dyslexia
is distinct from reading difficulties resulting from other causes, such as a
non-neurological deficiency with vision or hearing, or from poor or inadequate
reading instruction.
CHILDREN
DYSLEXICS
A child with
dyslexia can have difficulties with many aspects of language, including reading
(for example, taking so long to process words that, by the time the end of a
sentence or paragraph is reached, the beginning has been forgotten), writing,
fluency (some children can read individual words without a problem, but have
problems linking many words together), rhyming, recognizing that two words
“garbage” and “gorilla,” for example, start with the same sound or letter and
phonological processing (sounding out words). In some cases, dyslexia can also
cause problems with arithmetic (mathematics).
ADULTS
DYSLEXICS
Adult dyslexics can
read with good comprehension, but they tend to read more slowly than
non-dyslexics and perform more poorly at spelling and nonsense word reading
like “SpongeBob Square Pants”, a measure of phonological awareness.
CAUSE
Dyslexia usually
arises from a weakness in the processing of language-based information.
Biological
in origin; It tends to run in families, but environmental
factors such as nutrition also contribute. This is referred to as developmental
dyslexia and is hereditary.
Dyslexia
can occur at any level of intellectual ability;
It is not the result of poor motivation, emotional disturbance, sensory
impairment or lack of opportunities, but it may occur alongside any of these.
This is called acquired dyslexia and can also be caused by a stroke, trauma,
brain injury or a car accident.
MANAGEMENT
OF DYSLEXIA
Nutritional management
Nutrition affects
every cell in the body, and it plays a role in reversing dyslexia.
In order to effect
true reversal of dyslexia, nutrition cannot be overlooked. Foods give your
brain, muscles, bones, organs, and blood the nutrients they need to be healthy.
Good nutrition
isn’t something you can practice occasionally; it needs to be an ingrained
habit.
Omega-3/Omega-6
Balance: Researchers from Oxford University
report that ‘’increasing evidence’’ suggests an imbalance of omega-3 fatty
acids and omega-6 fatty acids might play a role in dyslexia.
Their study, which
involved testing the reading and spelling skills of both dyslexic and
non-dyslexic adults and measuring levels of these fatty acids, was published in
the January 2007 issue of ‘’European Neuropsychopharmacology.’
They found that
higher concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids were associated with better
reading ability in both groups.
In individuals with
dyslexia, reading was adversely affected by a high level of omega-6 fatty acids
and low levels of omega-3 fatty acids.
The typical Western
diet often contains excessive amounts of omega-6 fatty acids – which can cause
numerous negative effects when consumed in excess -- and low levels of omega-3
fatty acids.
Omega-6 fatty acids
are found in soybean oil, corn oil, sunflower oil and safflower oil.
When cooking, opt for olive oil or canola oil,
and read food packages carefully, as most packaged snacks and other foods use
oils rich in omega-6.
Foods rich in
omega-3 fatty acids include cold water fish such as salmon and tuna, flax seed,
hemp seed and walnuts.
CUTTING
OUT ARTIFICIAL INGREDIENTS;
Dr. Ben Feingold
was a pediatric allergist who believed certain chemicals triggered
hyperactivity and other behavioral issues in children and devised a specific
diet. Mainly touted to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, or
Anti-Diuretic Hormone Disorder (, the Feingold Diet has also been recommended
for dyslexia and other learning disabilities. A major component of the diet
involves cutting out artificial flavors, coloring and preservatives. The
program believes the preservatives BHA, BHT and TBHQ are particularly
problematic.
Eliminating
Gluten; Eat exotic gluten-free grains such as quinoa,
millet, and chickpeas, and use gluten-free flour for baking. Gluten – A sticky
elastic protein substance found in flour of wheat and other grains. Nunnykirk,
a school for dyslexic students in Great Britain, conducted an experiment in
2004 that had the students stop consuming gluten after observing the changes in
one student following a gluten-free diet. In recent years, gluten allergy and
sensitivity has been implicated in affecting the course of various conditions. Many
of the students were reading below their grade levels. Six months after
starting the diet, the Nunnykirk students took the annual reading and
comprehension tests and the majority had made at least one year’s progress,
according to an article in the ''Sunday Times.''
Anecdotal reports
such as this are not enough to conclude that eliminating gluten will help treat
dyslexia, but it is a relatively harmless change to experiment with.
Grains and foods to
avoid include wheat, spelt, semolina, rye, triticale, barley, bulgur, Durham,
farina, graham flour, kamut, rye and matzo.
Grains without
gluten include corn, amaranth, arrowroot, quinoa, tapioca, polenta, rice and
buckwheat.
SALTS
AND FATS
Eat more potatoes
(not potato chips laden with fats and salt), and try sweet potato French fries.
EAT NATURAL
Eat foods as close
to their natural state as possible. If you are eating fruit, eat the whole
fruit because the cellulose in the fruit will slow down sugar metabolism.
AVOID SUGARS
Honey and molasses
still break down as sugar, but both are loaded with other nutrients.
CONCLUSION
Dyslexia is not a
disease so there is no cure. If it has been diagnosed properly it can be
treated. A person with this learning disorder simply needs support from their
family, friends, teachers, and anyone else involved in their lives. There is
some work involved and it takes some determination and persistence, but people
faced with dyslexia can be successful students and successful in their adult
life.
There is some
evidence that the use of specially tailored fonts may provide some measure of
assistance for those suffering from dyslexia. Intervention early on while
language areas in the brain are still developing is most successful in reducing
long-term impacts of dyslexia.
FOR CONSULTATION
Call Our Nutritionist- +233277279565
This article was reviewed on Monday, 11th June,
2013 By Nu. Sallah
Stanley Kwesi (Nutritionist at Nutritional Talk)
LINK TO THIS POST | COPY
BELOW
http://nwg-works.blogspot.com/2013/02/nutritional-management-of-dyslexia.html
SHORT URL
http://adf.ly/QNYhy
