-
Focus & Memory issues
Hi BRecently my daughter, almost 14, is struggling in school with her advanced math class. She has a tutor but still can not keep up and struggles which now has effected her confidence and self-esteem.
For as long as I remember she always had an issue with focus and is quickly distracted. But now she complains about not being able to memorize things in math…. Other than that she’s doing well in school.
I remembered the live with Lucas and that he mentioned B1 helps with focus. What can I do to help her? B vitamins? Omega 3?
Thank you -
3 Replies
-
Hey ,
Attention and concentration difficulties can be caused by a variety of reasons. Math on top of that can be a specific obstacle for a lot of kids as well. You mention your daughter has an issue with focus and is quickly distracted. Of course, other possibilities and circumstances in her life can play a role in this dynamic as well.
But that being said, a wide range of causes can result in concentration problems. From more lifestyle-related causes related to sleep hygiene, and screen time (tv/laptop/phone) to more esoteric possibilities like slow thyroid, food sensitivities & toxin exposure.
To help your daughter better, maybe you can describe to us how your daughter would describe her concentration/memory problem.
Does your daughter for example complain about slow or sluggish thinking? Is it difficult for her to put her thoughts into words? Is she forgetful?
If she is experiencing some kind of brain fog, this can make it harder to take difficult subjects in school.
Also, nutrient deficiencies can contribute to concentration/memory problems. Here are the most common ones that can lead to cognitive challenges:
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin B12
• Iron (for signs & symptoms click here)
• Magnesium
• Zinc
• and yes, Omega 3’sOmega 3’s are important for brain development and can help reduce inflammation in the brain. Optimizing these nutrients can be helpful for brain function in general.
For rapid relief I have had a good experience with:
• L-theanine (You can find this in tea)
It relaxes and helps with focus. Especially a few cups of tea can bring some relaxation to the mind & clarity.
• Rhodiola (it is an adaptogen and can be quite stimulating for some people, so be cautious with trying Rhodiola in the evening)Personally, I don’t have experience with supplementing with B1 for optimizing focus. Maybe has.
If you think there is a possibility that ADHD/ADD plays a role, artificial colors and all preservatives, especially potassium or sodium benzoate have been shown to be an exacerbating factor.
Last but not least: math is a difficult subject. Not only to study but also to explain in simple language. Do you feel her tutor can explain the topics at a level that fits her age?
I hope these tips help!
-
Hi Daniel, first of all thank you so much for diving deep into this!
I think I am on top of things with regards to her sleep hygiene and cutting off screen time over 1 hr before bed. However, we all can agree that unfortunately for the rest of the day sometimes is beyond our control.
She does not have any typical signs of brain fog, I have screened her to my best knowledge.
However, she for sure has a sluggish liver, and her lymph is her weakest pathway, although she is physically active.
Thyroid I need to check.
I already give her Vitamin D, Magnesium and Zinc on and off and monitor her levels once a year.
Will have her iron levels checked next time. And start her slow on B and Omega, and some Matcha. -
Hi – I’d like to add my thoughts as well since one of the labels my son was diagnosed with was dyscalculia. This makes math really hard for even some of the brightest students. He’s in grade 9 but is at a grade 7 level of math as a result of these struggles.
If you’d like to explore her brain health further, I would recommend reaching out to Dr. Shiess at German Neuroscience Center in JLT and discussing these issues with her. She might recommend a qEEG map test like we did, and then be able to devise a customized treatment plan which may involve biofeedback/neurofeedback therapy.
The idea is that if there is a weakness in neural connections somewhere in the brain, they can target and train them with electrical stimulation (like exercise) to create new connections and links (i.e. neuroplasticity).
But I must warn you – it is very costly and not covered by insurance. I was able to get partial reimbursement fortunately, but it’s not typical.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any questions.
Log in to reply.
