Is this making my kid hyper?

Is this making my kid hyper?

Ritalin is not a cure.

It is a quick-fix for behavioral problems that does not address the underlying cause. Fortunately, there is help. Studies in Australia and the U.S. have shown that almost three-quarters of ADHD-diagnosed children show remarkable improvement when placed on diets which eliminate dyes, preservatives and foods commonly associated with allergic reactions (cow’s milk, wheat, soy, eggs, corn, chocolate, yeast, orange and apple juice). In the 1970’s, Dr. Benjamin Feingold found that many of the hyperactive children were allergic to artificial flavors, colorings, preservatives, and the salicylic compounds found in aspirin and many berry fruits.

A carefully designed study released last month in The Lancet, a leading British medical journal, shows that a variety of common food dyes and the preservative sodium benzoate -- an ingredient in many soft drinks, fruit juices, ice cream, candy and other foods -- causes some children to become more hyperactive and distractible than usual.




The study prompted Britain's Food Standards Agency to issue an immediate advisory to parents to limit their children's intake of additives if they notice an effect on behavior. In the U.S., there's been no such official response, but doctors say it makes sense for parents to be on the alert.




The research, led by Jim Stevenson, a professor of psychology at England's University of Southampton, included about 300 children in two age groups: 3-year-olds and 8- and 9-year-olds. Over three one week periods, the children were randomly given one of three fruit drinks daily: one contained the amount of dye and sodium benzoate typically found in a British child's diet, a second drink had a lower concentration of the additives, and a third was additive-free. All the children spent a week drinking each of the three mixtures, which looked and tasted alike. During each week long period, teachers and parents, who did not know which drink the kids were getting, used a variety of standardized behavior-evaluation tools -- some observational and one computer-based -- to size up such qualities as restlessness, lack of concentration, fidgeting, and talking or interrupting too much.

Some were given a mixture including four colorings -- sunset yellow, carmoisine, tartrazine and ponceau -- and sodium benzoate. A second group was given the preservative sodium benzoate and four colorings -- sunset yellow, carmoisine, quinoline yellow and allura red. A third group received a placebo.



The older children showed a "significantly adverse effect" from both dye mixes, but the adverse reaction of 3-year-olds was rated significant only for the first mix.




Acting on the research, the Food Standards Agency advised parents concerned about hyperactivity to avoid letting their children consume any of the additives involved in the Southampton study.



"If a child shows signs of hyperactivity or ADHD (attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder) then eliminating the colors used in the Southampton study from their diet might have some beneficial effects," said Dr. Andrew Wadge, the agency's chief scientist.

"However, we need to remember that there are many factors associated with hyperactive behavior in children. These are thought to include genetic factors, being born prematurely, or environment and upbringing."




Stevenson found that children in both age groups were significantly more hyperactive when drinking the stuff containing additives. Three-year-olds had a bigger response than the older kids to the lower dose of additives -- roughly the same amount of food coloring as in two 2-oz. bags of candy. And, there were big individual differences in sensitivity. While the effects were not nearly so great as to cause full-blown ADHD, Stevenson nonetheless warns that "these adverse effects could affect the child's ability to benefit from the experience of school."





He notes that a separate pilot study found that kids can become more hyperactive within one hour of consuming food additives.




The Lancet study is the first to nail down a link between artificial ingredients and hyperactivity, though the connection has long been suspected and was the basis for the Feingold Diet, which eliminates all artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners and preservatives and was popularized in the 1970s as a treatment for ADHD. Though such a diet alone is not a proven treatment for ADHD, some clinicians routinely advise parents of kids with ADHD to stick with a more natural diet.

If parents are concerned about any additives they should remember that, by law, food additives must be listed on the label so they can make the choice to avoid the product if they want to.


Put Limits on Juice


If your child likes juice, be sure to serve 100% juice. Also follow these recommended limits:
Up to 6 months old: no juice
6-12 months old: no more than 4 ounces (120 milliliters) per day, always served in a cup
1-6 years old: 4-6 ounces (120-180 milliliters) of juice per day
7-18 years old: 8-12 ounces (240-360 milliliters) of juice per day


Say No to Soda


Soda is commonly served to children, but this carbonated drink has no nutritional value and is high in sugar. One study found that one in eight preschool children drank 9 ounces (270 milliliters) or more of soda a day, which is 110-150 empty calories. Colas and other sodas often contain caffeine, which kids don’t need. If soda habits start when kids are young, they’re likely to drink increasing amounts as they get older. In older kids and adolescents, drinking soda has been linked to excessive weight gain and other problems, including tooth decay. Many kids like soda and will request it. As a rule, don’t serve it to babies, toddlers, or preschoolers. With older kids, let them know it’s a once-in-a-while beverage. Don’t ban it entirely if your child likes it now and then - that’s likely to make it more alluring, and your child more inclined to overdo it when he or she gets the chance!