Food Additives Health Hazards
Researcher, Benjamin Feingold, M.D., states that 40 to 50 % of children, who are hyperactive, are sensitive to food additives, flavors, preservatives, and colors.
He studied about 1200 cases, in which food additives were linked to learning and behavior disorders.
The research was presented to the American medical association in 1973, where overwhelming evidence was produced to demonstrate a strong link between food additives and hyperactivity in children.
What are Food Additives?
Food additives are certain chemical substances that are added to food products to prevent them from spoiling or to enhance their flavor.
Practically all processed and packaged foods contain food additives.
A large number of food additives that are in use are linked to various diseases such as depression, learning disabilities, hyperactivity, asthma, migraine and allergies.
Food Additives Facts:
There are about 2800 different food additives that are approved by the FDA
Color food additives:
The most widely used color additive is tartrazine. This additive gives the food a lemon yellow color. It is particularly found in ice creams, custards, confectionary, and cereals. Tartrazine is known to induce asthma, urticaria or hives, and a host of other allergies, particularly in children.
Artificial sweeteners:
The artificial sweeteners that are used extensively are saccharin, aspartame, and sucralose. Health hazards, especially in children, include, a lack of weight gain, migraine headaches, seizures, disturbances in nerve function, and mood and behavioral alterations.
Preservatives:
Preservatives like sodium benzoate, nitrites, nitrates, and sulphites, work, by checking the growth of micro-organisms. These are responsible for allergic reactions, and some are also potential carcinogens.
Diet for Hyperactive Children:
- Studies have shown that hyperactivity has been linked to diet. Certain dietary modifications help curb, and treat hyperactivity effectively
- Foods such as sodas, artificial sweeteners, processed milk and its products, chocolate, fried food, and processed food packets have a deleterious effect on the child’s physical and mental health.
- Protein is highly essential in the management of hyperactivity. Good quality protein, such as, lean meat, fish, egg whites, milk, and soy, ought to be incorporated in to the diet.
- Flax seeds and flax seed oil are amazing sources of omega 3 fatty acids. They calm the child, and stimulate attention and recall capacity. Adding a few spoonfuls of flax seed flour to the flour to prepare bread or drizzling flax seed oil over salads is a very good option.
Calming Tips for Hyperactive Kids:
- A soothing, hot water bubble bath, to which a few drops of essential oils have been added, will have miraculous benefits on the child, when he comes home after a hectic day at school. It eases away the stresses of the day, leaving him calm and tranquil.
- Teach your child to deep breathe whenever he is feeling frustrated, ill-tempered, and out of control.
- Encourage your child to spend an hour every day, pursuing a hobby of his choice. This keeps his mind busy with something constructive. Sitting down with him, while he does the activity, is a good idea. Also, make sure, that you keep changing the activity / task frequently, since, hyperactive kids get bored very easily.
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