Our son was recently diagnosed with ADHD. We are interested in trying diet modification to control his symptoms but have found conflicting information on the Internet regarding diet and ADHD. Are there any reputable sources on this subject?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Untreated ADHD can lead to academic and behavioral problems.

Traditional therapies for ADHD include medication, behavioral therapy and classroom modification. Stimulants are the most common type of medication used to treat ADHD. Currently, no diet therapies have been shown to be as effective as medication. Diet, however, can play an important role in the management of ADHD.

A February 2012 article titled "The Diet Factor in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder" (Pediatrics), provides an extensive review of the available literature on dietary methods used to treat ADHD. The article specifically looks at hypoallergenic/elimination diets, omega supplements, iron and zinc supplements, and the role that sugar, dyes and preservatives play in ADHD. Omega-3 and -6 fatty acid supplementation demonstrated significant promise in the treatment of ADHD.

Elimination or hypoallergenic diets are based on a belief that children may have certain food triggers for their behavior. Although these diets were not shown to be universally effective, there were isolated cases that resulted in improvement. Elimination diets are very restrictive and should be monitored by a physician or dietician.

One Australian study cited in the article identified a link between ADHD and a "Western" diet. Certain foods (fast food, red meat, processed meats, potato chips, high-fat dairy products and soft drinks) were linked to a higher incidence of ADHD. The preferred diet of fish, vegetables, legumes and whole grain was associated with lower rates of ADHD. Because a diet that is high in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and anti-oxidants contributes to overall health, this is a good place to start when considering diet modification for a child with ADHD.

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ADHD and diet

Last summer, my lawn was covered in brown spots from my dog urinating on it. Are there supplements or a special diet I can give her so that doesn't happen?

G.B., via Facebook

Because female dogs deposit a lot of urine in one concentrated spot compared with male dogs, who usually leave small amounts of urine in a number of locations, this tends to be more a problem with females than males.

Unfortunately, supplements or medications that change the pH of urine aren't going to help, because that's not what makes the grass brown. Urine has a lot of nitrogen in it. In small, dilute amounts, nitrogen is a fertilizer. When it's too concentrated, though, it will "burn" the grass. In fact, you might have noticed that around the edges of the brown spot, there is a ring of very green, lush grass. That's due to the more diluted urine at the edges of the spot where the dog urinated.

There are only two main solutions. The first is to dilute the urine so it isn't so concentrated, either in the bladder or on the lawn.

Some suggestions, such as giving the dog tomato juice, are thought to work by increasing the sodium in the diet, stimulating thirst, and thus diluting the urine right in the bladder. This isn't a good idea, as high- sodium diets can make some health problems worse.

A better method of diluting the urine is to pour a gallon or so of water directly on the spot where your dog urinates.

The second solution is to train your dog to urinate elsewhere. This requires taking her to a specified area of your property, waiting until she urinates there, and rewarding and praising her. Don't give her any opportunity to urinate anywhere else for a couple of weeks, and she should get the idea from then on.

Gina Spadafori

Go a size bigger for a bird's cage

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Pet Connection Q&A: How to eliminate brown grass spots

Many of us are constantly toying with the dieting game. By that I mean we think about losing a few pounds here and there and whether or not changing the way will eat will offer us a reprieve from that tight-waisted feeling in our pants.

Sometimes however looking to buy healthier foodsseems like a real drain on your wallet. If you're following a specific diet plan it can be even more expensive.

Are there ways to eat healthier (or follow a "plan")without breaking the bank?

Related:6 Fat-Burning Foods in Your Home Right Now

According to Jeanette Pavini, Coupons.Com's Household Savings Expert, there is and she offers some helpful tips.

Storing Foods:

Olive oil. Many diets require that you substitute butter with olive oil so be sure to store it properly to make it last longer (70 degrees or less).

Spices. The Mediterranean diet calls for lots of spices to replace salt. Spices should always be bought in bulk as the small bottles on the supermarket shelves are highly overpriced due to packaging. In fact, buying and grinding your own is truly the most cost effective route.

Produce. Saving money AND making fresh fruits and veggies last is the key as all these diets expect you to ingest 7-10 servings a day. To get the most mileage out of your produce:

Related: Drink Yourself Skinny

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Tips for Dieting On a Dime

Vladimir Filonov / MT

A corn-on-the-cob vendor waiting for customers on a Moscow street. The sign says, Tasty, Hot Corn for You.

ST. PETERSBURG Vegetarians andvegans inRussia face anuphill battle inreceiving broad acceptance oftheir diets.

State health officials warn ofpoor nutrition, andsome psychiatrists say strict meat-free lifestyles are anindicator ofmental illness.

Vegetarianism took thespotlight inSt. Petersburg when thecity's chief dietitian, Vladimir Dotsenko, said vegetarian andraw-food diets are dangerous forchildren andpregnant women.

"Vegans practice raw foodism. Such adiet results ina lack ofvitamins Aand D, calcium andprotein, which are all found inanimal products," Dotsenko said ata recent news conference.

"Rational vegetarians consume milk andeggs, giving them close tooptimal nutrition," he said, according toInterfax. "However, children need toeat meat togrow, andpregnant women also need toin order tohelp thedevelopment ofa normal fetus."

Thecomments didn't sit well with locals who choose toavoid meat.

Vera Kozlovskaya, 30, who teaches atSt. Petersburg Polytechnic University, said some ofher vegetarian andvegan acquaintances had given birth tohealthy children.

They also put their children onfull-fledged vegetarian diets, andthe children have grown anddeveloped well, she said.

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Vegetarians Thrive Despite Widespread Prejudice

WILKES-BARRE, Pa., June 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As the Pocono Raceway prepares for the upcoming Pocono 400, select Walmart stores will offer authentic NASCAR merchandise and host exclusive fan events starting June 7. Customers are invited to attend these special events and enjoy show car and simulator displays perfect to safely get behind the wheel and feel the power of NASCAR June 7-9 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., depending on the location.

"Walmart is the champion of the racing fan, and we are committed to providing customers with savings on authentic merchandise, as well as unique race time experiences," said Walmart market manager Bill Riiff. "We want to give fans affordability and accessibility, so they can enjoy race time with their families and friends."

Race Time at Walmart In addition to the fan events happening in Walmart parking lots, area Walmart stores will feature savings on all the food and snacks you need to enjoy the race, plus authentic NASCAR merchandise such as T-shirts and racing flags, with an even bigger selection of exclusive products available at Walmart.com/NASCAR.

Participating stores near the Pocono Raceway include:

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Displays free and open to the public include the Kellogg's Cheez-It Show Car Simulator, Hefty Show Car Simulator, 5-hour Energy Show Car, Oreo Ritz Show Car, Hellmann's Show Car Simulator and Kingsford Ultimate Tailgate Truck at:

Store #2641 1091 Millcreek Road Allentown, Pa. 10 a.m. 4 p.m.

Displays free and open to the public include the No. 24 Pepsi MAX Show Car, No. 88 Diet Mountain Dew Show Car, Walmart's 50th Anniversary Show Car, No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Dodge Charger, Coca-Cola 2-Seat Simulator and Wheaties Show Car at:

Store #2252 3722 Easton Road Easton, Pa. 11:30 a.m. 5:30 p.m.

Friday, June 8, 2012

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Pennsylvania Walmart Stores Offer NASCAR Authentic Merchandise, Fan Events Starting June 7

Australian doctors are being assured their patients will benefit if they adopt a diet that's free of meat.

An Australian-first scientific research review, published in the Medical Journal of Australia today, has found vegetarians receive more health benefits than risks from their plant-based diet.

The Journal examined deficiencies traditionally thought to affect those who have adopted a vegetarian diet and found they were receiving adequate levels of protein, iron and zinc.

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Nutritionist Rosemary Stanton, who has written an accompanying editorial to the research papers, says the scientific evidence shows a well-planned, plant-based diet can meet the nutritional needs of adults and children.

"The evidence is quite good that people who follow a vegetarian diet are likely to have less heart disease, less colorectal cancer, less type-2 diabetes and they're less likely to be obese," she said.

While those who don't eat fish may be receiving less omega-3 fatty acids than considered desirable, the study also found vegetarians do not exhibit signs of a clinical deficiency.

Deficiencies in vitamin B12 were noted in vegans; people who shun any animal-based product including milk and eggs.

B12 is required to help make red blood cells and to keep nerves functioning and the study recommended vegans receive supplements either through eating B12-fortified foods or by taking a daily supplement.

Dr Stanton said the study was also prompted by the increase in the number of people who are looking to reduce their intake of meat for both health and sustainability.

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Vegetarian diet healthy: medical study

A vegetarian diet provides adequate nutrition to adults and children and can also reduce health problems, an Australian study has found.

The scientific research review, "Is a vegetarian diet adequate?" published in the Medical Journal of Australia on Monday, puts to rest the long-held belief a vegetarian diet lacks sufficient protein and iron, The Advertiser reported.

The study found those who adopted a vegetarian diet are receiving adequate levels of protein, iron and zinc, and are less likely to suffer from heart disease, colorectal cancer, type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Nutritionist Rosemary Stanton said there were no significant health differences in babies born to vegetarian mothers and no noticeable differences in the growth of vegetarian children compared to children who consumed meat as part of their diet.

Although vegetarians who do not eat fish may be receiving less Omega 3 fatty acids than considered desirable, vegetarians do not exhibit signs of clinical deficiency.

Deficiencies in vitamin B12 were noted in vegans -- vegetarians who shun any animal based product including milk and eggs -- and as B12 is required to help make red blood cells and to keep nerves functioning, the study recommends they either take a daily supplement or eat more B12-fortified foods.

Stanton said the average meat-eating Australian consumes significantly more protein than required, and the study almost certainly proves it is not necessary to eat meat daily.

"Not everyone needs or wants to become vegetarian, but eating more plant-based meals is a good recipe for our own health and that of the planet," Stanton said.

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Vegetarian diet provides good nutrition, health benefits, study finds