Food Additives Affect Behavior
On average 30% of foods in our daily diet are processed foods. These are foods that come in a box or a can and have many ingredients that are hard to pronounce, containing food starches, gums, preservatives, and colorings. Many processed foods have to be enriched, adding inorganic minerals and vitamins to compensate for the nutrition lost in the processing of the food. Some people believe enriched foods are good enough, and we will be able to absorb their nutrients sufficiently to benefit from them. But what about the great increase in type II diabetes in the past few years, seen especially now in children? What about the increase in Attention Deficit Disorder and behavioral problems in schools? Adults are now getting symptoms of Alzheimer's more quickly than before, and are suffering from chronic diseases earlier in life.
The first suggestion I tell parents who are struggling with a hyperactive child is to stay away from any food colorings, especially the added colorings in juices, cereals, snacks, and vitamin supplements. These food colorings affect the functioning of the nervous system. Our liver cannot break down these chemicals and they affect our neurotransmitters, and eventually our thinking ability. It is amazing the amount of food coloring found in processed foods. Significant increases in hyperactivity occur after getting 20 mg. of food coloring per day, which is much less than the amount found in many processed foods today.
When food additives are added to natural foods both physical and behavioral problems can occur. The three most common symptoms found when we get too many food additives are headaches, anxiety, and upset stomach. Common food additives to watch out for, beside food colorings, are preservatives, artificial sweeteners, and caffeine. Preservatives are found in all processed foods, and even in some of the natural foods such as fruits and vegetables. It is difficult to get all fresh food unless you grow it yourself. Preservatives prevent spoilage of food so that it can be transported from the farm or factory to our grocery stores.
The FDA generally regards each of these food additives as safe, at least in small quantities. But when combining them in foods and then looking at the potential cumulative effect, we have to realize that the more preservative and food additives we get on a daily basis, the more our liver has to detoxify. That is why headaches and bloating are common symptoms of too many food additives.
Among the many factors that shape the lives of children, nutrition often plays a critical role. What children eat during their growing years has a great effect on the way they think, learn, and act. Many studies have found, for example, that children with higher intakes of antioxidants, B vitamins and minerals do better in school than those children whose diets are lower in these nutrients. Others studies show that children who are exposed to too many environmental chemicals or heavy metals in the air and water have more trouble learning and remembering, and have more nervous system disorders.
The Feingold program is a children's nutritional program that recommends a diet based on foods that do not contain artificial flavors, preservatives, and food colorings. Numerous research studies found that symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder improved between 50 and 70% of the time while children followed this nutritional program.
One study, published in Lancet in 1985, showed that 79% of hyperactive children had symptoms improve when food chemicals were removed from their diet. Then when the food chemicals were re-introduced the symptoms returned. Sugar was found to have a similar detrimental effect as food chemicals. In controlled studies done at juvenile correctional facilities in the 1980s, they found that behavior improved in 47% of the 12 facilities that took part in the Feingold program, which included over 8000 juveniles.
Many health issues are caused by lack of bioavailable nutrition in our diet. Our digestive system tries to absorb nutrients from the foods we eat. Depending on the state of the food - baked, broiled, microwaved, or the additives added, our body can actually get more stressed eating foods that are hard for our liver to metabolize. This is why the National Cancer Institute keeps raising the number of fruits and vegetables recommended daily to prevent cancer, and keep our immune system healthy. This is another reason we are seeing earlier signs of indigestion and heartburn in children. The foods we put in our body have so many preservatives, and chemicals, and not enough real nutrition to be beneficial.
Dr. Jane Oelke, N.D., Ph.D. is Naturopath and Doctor of Homeopathy in Southwest Michigan. She is the author of "Natural Choices for Fibromyalgia" and "Natural Choices for Attention Deficit Disorder". She is a professional speaker on a variety of natural health topics, and can be reached at DoctorOelke@aol.com and http://www.NaturalChoicesforyou.com
MORE RESOURCES:
Kids' Cereals Packing Some Nutrition Punch CBS News, NY - Have you consumed myths about diet and nutrition? Take these quizzes to find out. (CBS) You probably struggle to find your kids just the right cereal for ... |
Recognise the power of good nutrition Indian Express, India - If I were to search for a flipside in my otherwise highly fulfilling vocation as a nutritional consultant it would have to be the persistent — and at times ... |
San Mateo County drops nutrition ordinance dropped in reaction to Inside Bay Area, CA - California last week became the first state to force chain eateries to disclose nutrition facts after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 1420, ... The Insider: San Mateo County lawmakers feel cruel sting of ... |
A holistic approach to nutrition during the holidays Suburban News, NJ - The next meeting will be Oct. 15 at 7 pm and the Union County Chapter will be presenting "A Holistic Approach to Nutrition during the Holiday Season," ... |
 Examiner.com | Kids and nutrition: How much sugar is in that cereal bowl? Examiner.com - In addition to the somewhat dubious nutritional value of the sugar-coated cereals (ever notice how these products are part of a nutritious breakfast as long ... |
NUTRITION GIVES PARENTS FOOD FOR THOUGHT ; ++ NEW STANDARDS ... RedOrbit, TX - From September, the government introduced new nutritional standards that apply to all primary school lunches across the country. ... |
Nutrition Wise: Caffeine as a Diuretic, Body Fat Percentage Scales ... Kansas City infoZine, MO - By Karen Collins, MS, RD, CDN - Q: Is it true that caffeine-containing drinks have a diuretic effect and result in a loss of fluid? ... |
Use Easy Tip to Count Nutrition on One Hand RedOrbit, TX - By CAROL RINI You don't have to be a nutrition expert to make healthy food choices if you follow a couple rules of thumb. One such rule says to shop the ... |
Hawaii Health Department Sponsors Statewide Physical Activity and ... Hawaii Reporter, HI - The forum was a follow-up to last year’s Physical Activity and Nutrition (PAN) Summit, where professionals and community members gathered to learn about ... |
Financial firms need 'nutrition labels' Christian Science Monitor, MA - Given the similarity of products and services among them, a good "nutrition" label that tells me the health history of the company and what will happen to ... |
Dont Allow Your Food To Control You
Food addiction isn't a problem. Pretending like you can't live without eating however, IS the problem.
How To Prevent Hypoglycemia
Today's tip is on hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).Hypoglycemia affects both non-diabetics as well as diabetics.
That Cookie Might Kill You!
Chances are you may have had a food product that contained Trans Fatty Acids. What's the danger you ask? I 'm about to share with you just a little of the hidden dangers and certain death that some of the most popular foods you eat can cause.
16 Quick Tips for Eating at Restaurants or Work
Most of us eat at restaurants for a variety of reasons; time and convenience are the most common motives. Below is a prepared list of quick tips for eating out of your home.
Ultra Refined Fish Oil - The New Generation of Fish Oil
Dr. Barry Sears revolutionized nutritional thinking around the world with his 1995 landmark #1 New York Times best seller The Zone.
The Truth About the Meat You Eat
There are so many topics to discuss which affect our health that it is hard to choose just one at a time. My motto is Unhealthy Soil = Unhealthy Plants and Animals = Unhealthy People.
The Dangers of High Fructose Corn Syrup
High Fructose Corn SyrupBefore we get to high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), we will take a look at two other frequently used sweeteners, dextrose and maltodextrin.DextroseDextrose is more or less an industry term for glucose.
Getting Your Target
What is health? Everyone wants this thing called health, and yet most people have never thought about what their "target of health" actually looks like. If you and your family were healthy, what would it be like?It is like this: Imagine you are shooting a bow and arrow at a definite target and you have no idea what the target is.
Reading Labels:Understanding Fiber, Fat, Carbohydrates, Etc
Since 1994, food manufacturers have required the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to include food labels on all packaged food items. Labels can be a tremendous help in controlling our diets-but only if we understand them.
Introduction to Detox Diets
Detoxifying the body has become an apparent key preventative measure to all kinds of health problems. Since most of us are busy, and unable or unwilling to maintain a strict diet in order to completely eliminate all the toxins from our body.
Avoiding Mental Disorders Through the Aid of Vitamins and Minerals
When we think about the benefits of being ensuring a good bill of health by keeping track of our daily intake of prescribed vitamins, minerals and as well as the other nutrients that are needed by your body in order to stay healthy. It is important to be conscious of the fact that deficiencies in the daily intake of vitamins and minerals can negatively affect not only your physical capabilities but your how your mind functions as well.
Antioxidants - Your Best Defense Against Disease and Aging
Studies support the benefits of eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. This is due to their high antioxidant value.
Artificial Sweeteners - Are They Safe?
To research the health risks Sweet 'N Low and other artificial sweeteners I examined both sides of the story. There seems to be no neutral position on any of these sweeteners.
Manganese 101
Manganese is a metallic mineral that was discovered by a 17th century German chemist named Johann Glauber, though it was not isolated in a pure form until 1774, by Johan Gahn. It was Gahn's associate, a Swedish chemist, Carl Scheele, who first determined that manganese was an element.
Beware of Eating Too Much Protein
The typical American diet already provides plenty of protein and there is no point in adding any more, unlike fat cells, there is no place in the body to store protein so the excess is eliminated or is seen as fat rather than muscle.So what you need to do is to consume just enough protein to allow your muscles to be healthy, perform work and grow.
Lesser of Two Evils: Splenda or Equal?
While packages of the artificial sweetener Splenda claim, "made from sugar, so it tastes like sugar," one competitor argues that this statement is nothing short of false advertising.In fact, this rival, Equal manufacturer Merisant Co.
Whats That In My Food!
If you drop a bomb, you kill not only your enemies but your friends as well. This is the effect food additives have on humans.
Body Calling: Maintaining Excellent Health
Our bodies are truly incredible machines. What makes cells healthy? What causes disease? Scientists are discovering the answers: Keep human cells healthy and fully functional and with out degeneration.
The 7 Best & The 7 Worst Food For A Long Life
The above foods contain high antioxidant capacity. These foods were chosen because of discovery of the most powerful phytochemicals and anthocyanins, which illustrate strong inhibition of chemocarcinogens.
Avocado - Ooh, What a Lovely Pear!
Many people avoid avocados thinking them to be fattening, but the truth is they are packed with Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) which burn fat so actually they make you thin! So now you are over that little misconception, let me tell you the rest of the avocado story?Avocados contain over 12 minerals. These minerals stimulate growth and keep other body functions in check.