Ask The Professional

"How do additives in our foods react in our bodies?  My children seem hyper after eating certain foods.  Can the additives be affecting their behavior?"

~A question asked many times by friends and clients.  I wondered myself when my children were young.  One of my children was diagnosed with ADD.  Many practitioners have researched this throughout the years.  Following is a study recently posted by Dr. McDougall.

~Susan Oshel~

Additives Impair Child’s Behavior

Food additives and hyperactive behavior in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the community: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial by Donna McCann published in the September 5, 2007 issue of the Lancet found, “Artificial colors or a sodium benzoate preservative (or both) in the diet result in increased hyperactivity in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the general population… and that food additives exacerbate hyperactive behaviors (inattention, impulsivity, and overactivity) in children at least up to middle childhood. Increased hyperactivity is associated with the development of educational difficulties, especially in relation to reading, and therefore these adverse effects could affect the child's ability to benefit from the experience of schooling. These findings show that adverse effects are not just seen in children with extreme hyperactivity (i.e., ADHD), but can also be seen in the general population and across the range of severities of hyperactivity.”1

In the study, 153 three-year-old and 144 eight and nine-year-old children drank a mixture containing sodium benzoate and one of two artificial food color and additives mixes (A or B) or a placebo mix. The additives chosen are commonly found in the food supply. Mix A for 3-year-old children included 20 mg of artificial food colorings (5 mg sunset yellow [E110], 2·5 mg carmoisine [E122], 7·5 mg tartrazine, and 5 mg ponceau 4R and 45 mg of sodium benzoate. Active mix B included 30 mg of artificial food colorings (7·5 mg sunset yellow, 7·5 mg carmoisine, 7·5 mg quinoline yellow, and 7·5 mg allura red AC) and 45 mg of sodium benzoate.

Comment: Food additives have long been suspected of causing overactive, impulsive, and inattentive behavior in children. Benjamin Feingold, MD described this effect of chemicals added to foods 32 years ago. Many of these children are eventually diagnosed as having Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and then placed on mood-altering drugs, such as Ritalin, Adderall, Concerta, and Strattera.

Effects on a child’s behavior have also been found with dairy products,2 caffeine,3 and organic pollutants.4 Resulting illnesses and obesity from an unhealthy diet also have a profound effect on a child’s behavior and ability to learn. Therefore, before any child is declared incurably hyperactive, or otherwise behaviorally disturbed, a change to a starch-based diet with a strong emphasis on organic foods should be tried.

Children already on medications should have their diets improved, and the medications stopped or reduced under doctor’s supervision as they improve. Benefits should be evident within a few days to weeks. My experience leads me to state that parents who make an honest effort at this approach will not be disappointed.

1) McCann D, Barrett A, Cooper A, Crumpler D, Dalen L, Grimshaw K, Kitchin E, et al. Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the community: a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. 2007 Sep 5; [Epub ahead of print]

2) Kaplan BJ, McNicol J, Conte RA, Moghadam HK. Dietary replacement in preschool-aged hyperactive boys. Pediatrics. 1989 Jan;83(1):7-17.

3) Hughes JR, Hale KL. Behavioral effects of caffeine and other methylxanthines on children. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol. 1998 Feb;6(1):87-95.

4) Lee DH, Jacobs DR, Porta M. Association of serum concentrations of persistent organic pollutants with the prevalence of learning disability and attention deficit disorder. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2007 Jul;61(7):591-6.


© John McDougall, MD, used by permission
http://www.drmcdougall.com

John & Mary McDougall