ADHD,
Diet and Additives
Some studies have shown
diet to be beneficial for patients with ADHD. The New Zeland
Medical Journal (July 26, 1978;616(88):43-45)
published a small study where 10 children were put on a low allergen,
Feingold-type diet. They avoided processed foods, additives, and salicyclate-containing foods (like berries, almonds,
apples, plums, tomatoes). Five of the children improved, and challenges with
“offending” foods confirmed that the diet was responsible for their
improvement. Another study appearing in the journal, European Child and
Adolescent Psychiatry (June, 1997;6(2):88-95)
looked at 49 children in a double-blind, placebo controlled study. One group
was placed on a low-allergen diet and the other group was given
methylphenidate. The drug out performed the diet (44%
of the subjects improved vs. 24% on the diet). The diet, however, did not have
any side-effects. Also, it makes one wonder how much better the response would
be if the diet was uniquely designed for each of the participants.
The Journal of Pediatrics (November, 1994;125(5 part 1):691-698) published a six-week open trial of
an additive-free diet. Parents of 150 (out or 200 who tried the diet) found
that the ADHD symptom of their children improved on the diet; their symptoms
also became worse when the additives were reintroduced. A
group of suspected additive “reactors” were identified. A 21-day,
double-blind, placebo-controlled, repeated-measures study used each child as
his or her own control. Placebo, or one of six doses (1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 mg),
of tartrazine (a
yellow dye used in food) was randomly given each morning. The parents rated the
behavior each day. The study identified 24 children as clear reactors. They
were irritable and restless and had sleep disturbance. Significant reactions
were observed at all six dose levels, but the severity of the reaction was dose
dependent—more dye, more reaction. With a dose increase greater than 10 mg, the
duration of effect was prolonged. So it is clear that the symptoms of some
children with ADHD are affected by artificial food dye. Other research appearing
in Archives of Diseases in Childhood (June 2004;89:506-511)
also found a connection between additives and ADHD symptoms.
Other research has shown that refined carbohydrate and
nutrient deficient diets may also play a role in ADHD. It is clear that this is
a piece of the puzzle and that diet is an inexpensive, side-effect free way to
address ADHD